Japan ethylene plants' operating rate at record low amid Mideast disruption

TOKYO - The operating rate of plants in Japan producing ethylene, used widely to make detergents, pharmaceuticals and paints, hit a record low in April amid the disruption of supplies of its oil-derived feedstock naphtha due to the Middle East conflict, an industry group said.

The utilization rate sank to 67.3 percent, the lowest since comparable data became available in 1996 and below the previous low of 68.8 percent in March, the Japan Petrochemical Industry Association said earlier in May.