07.19.16
The Specialty Chemicals Market Volume Index, a tool created by the American Chemistry Council (ACC), slipped 0.4% in June. This follows a 0.3% decline in May and a 0.5% decline in April. (All data is measured on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis.)
Of the28 specialty chemical segments ACC’s monitor, 11 expanded in June, two were stable and the remaining 15 experienced decline. Large gains (1.0% and over) were noted in only rubber processing chemicals.
The overall specialty chemicals volume index was off 1.4% year-over-year (Y/Y) also on a 3MMA basis. Year-earlier comparisons were generally in the 4.0% to 6.8% range during 2012-2014 but since February 2015 they have fallen below that range as the downturn in the oil and gas sectors affected headline volumes. In addition, the strong U.S. dollar has adversely affected a number of export-oriented customer industries. Weakness spread to other segments as well and year-earlier comparisons have been negative since second quarter 2015. Still, on a Y/Y basis, there were gains among market and functional specialty chemical segments. With few exceptions, however, year-earlier comparisons have been moderating.
Of the28 specialty chemical segments ACC’s monitor, 11 expanded in June, two were stable and the remaining 15 experienced decline. Large gains (1.0% and over) were noted in only rubber processing chemicals.
The overall specialty chemicals volume index was off 1.4% year-over-year (Y/Y) also on a 3MMA basis. Year-earlier comparisons were generally in the 4.0% to 6.8% range during 2012-2014 but since February 2015 they have fallen below that range as the downturn in the oil and gas sectors affected headline volumes. In addition, the strong U.S. dollar has adversely affected a number of export-oriented customer industries. Weakness spread to other segments as well and year-earlier comparisons have been negative since second quarter 2015. Still, on a Y/Y basis, there were gains among market and functional specialty chemical segments. With few exceptions, however, year-earlier comparisons have been moderating.