Shipments of SAP in Japan for both domestic use and exports are on the rise, according to Nonwovens Industry Far Eastern consultant Kin Ohmura of Osaka Chemical Marketing Center. Shipments of SAP during the first half of 2007 (January-June) amounted to 199,282 tons, an increase of 15.6% compared to the corresponding period a year ago. Of this amount, 62,861 tons were used in the domestic market while exports rose to 136,421. Although domestic demand is growing slowly, exports are increasing due to expansion in China, Eastern Europe and South America.