Japan's production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) rose by 19% to 122,688 tonnes in May from the previous month, but fell by 13% from the same period a year earlier, an industry council said on Wednesday.
Domestic shipments of PVC fell by 5.9% to 84,815 tonnes month on month and increased 11% year on year, according to the Vinyl Environmental Council (VEC).
According to VEC chairman Shigeaki Nakahara, "it would take some time" before PVC demand rises as major restoration works have yet to make significant progress following the 11 March twin disasters that struck Japan’s northeast.
He said he was concerned that PVC demand may not pick up if the Japanese economy continues to show signs of a slowdown.
"If the current situation continues, I am concerned that there will be a downturn in [domestic PVC] demand," Nakahara said.
"I hope that will not happen," he added.
Exports of PVC decreased by 14% to 22,414 tonnes in May from April and fell by 58% from the corresponding period a year before, according to VEC.
