Japanese styrene monomer plants shut down following earthquake

It is reported that at least two Japanese styrene monomer (SM) operators have shut their plants following a 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Fukushima, northern Japan leaving hundreds of people injured and cutting the power supply.

Idemitsu Kosan shut the 210,000 tons/year styrene plant in Chiba on 13 February 2021 and might be able to restart by early April. 

Meanwhile, Denka – also known as Denki Kagaku Kogyo shut the 270,000 tons/year styrene monomer unit in Chiba on 13 February. There is no confirmation on the restart date at the time of this report.