Japanese ethylene output fell in September from a year earlier and also from its previous month.
According to data released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), ethylene production fell to 534,500 tons in September 2010, compared with 557,300 tons in September 2010.
Even when compared with August 2011, ethylene output fell 12.7 percent in September, when it stood at 612,100 tons.
METI cited more plants going in for maintenance in the month, as the main reason for the fall in ethylene production.
In September, there were two maintenance related shutdowns compared with one each in September 2010 and August 2011.