Japan’s Nissan Chemicals Industries has raised the operating rate at its 50,000 tonne/year melamine plant in Toyama to 100% about three weeks ago as buying interest improved. The plant had been running at 70-75% since the start of the year due to weak demand given the slump in the downstream ply wood and adhesive sectors. “We have decided to increase our operating rate as we also witnessed an increase in enquiries from markets like Middle East and Australia,” the source said.