2024/08/30
1. What is Naphtha?
This time, we will introduce “naphtha,” which is the raw material for film products such as polyethylene and polypropylene.
Naphtha is a petroleum product obtained by distilling and separating crude oil. It is a colorless and transparent liquid, highly volatile, and contains a large amount of aromatic hydrocarbons.
Naphtha is mainly used for the following applications:
Basic Chemicals
Ethylene, propylene, butadiene, benzene, toluene, xylene, etc.
These basic chemicals are used as raw materials for various products such as plastics, synthetic rubber, synthetic fibers, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural chemicals.
Gasoline
Naphtha is converted to gasoline through refining.
Solvents
Used as a solvent for paints and adhesives.
Fuel
Used as a raw material for kerosene and jet fuel.
Fluctuations in the price of “naphtha,” the raw material, have a significant impact on the price of film products.
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2. Life in the Philippines Diary
This time, I would like to talk about choosing souvenirs, including some concerns I have been feeling recently.
When I return to the Philippines from Japan, I buy souvenirs for our employees. I usually buy famous sweets such as the standard KitKat matcha flavor and Alfort at Don Quijote, but recently I have been hesitant about this choice.
First of all, standard items are well-received and our employees are happy with them. However, since I buy similar souvenirs every time, I also wonder if there is something they would enjoy more and if they are already tired of the same things.
So, the other day, I searched on Google for “souvenirs that Filipinos buy in Japan,” and as expected, standard sweets such as Tokyo Banana, Shiroi Koibito, and KitKat matcha flavor were ranked high.
How do you choose souvenirs? If you have any recommendations or souvenirs that were particularly well-received, please let me know.
The next time I return to Japan, I will try to choose new souvenirs.
