09.01.16
The American Chemistry Council’s Specialty Chemicals Market Volume Index entered the third quarter of 2016 on a positive note, rising 0.2% in July. This follows a 0.3% in June and a 0.2% decline in May and marks the first gain since March, according to ACC. All data is measured on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis, according to ACC.
Of the 28 specialty chemical segments ACC monitors, 17 expanded in July, two were stable and the remaining nine markets experienced decline.
The overall specialty chemicals volume index was off 0.9% year-over-year (Y/Y) on a 3MMA basis. The index stood at 102.6% of its average 2012 levels. This is equivalent to 7.07 billion pounds, off from 7.14 billion pounds last July. During 2014, Y/Y comparisons were generally in the 4.0% to 6.8% range but since February 2015, they have fallen well below that range as the downturn in the oil and gas sector has affected headline volumes. Weakness has spread to other segments as well and year-earlier comparisons have been negative since 2nd quarter 2015. Still, on a Y/Y basis, there were gains among market and functional specialty chemical segments.
Of the 28 specialty chemical segments ACC monitors, 17 expanded in July, two were stable and the remaining nine markets experienced decline.
The overall specialty chemicals volume index was off 0.9% year-over-year (Y/Y) on a 3MMA basis. The index stood at 102.6% of its average 2012 levels. This is equivalent to 7.07 billion pounds, off from 7.14 billion pounds last July. During 2014, Y/Y comparisons were generally in the 4.0% to 6.8% range but since February 2015, they have fallen well below that range as the downturn in the oil and gas sector has affected headline volumes. Weakness has spread to other segments as well and year-earlier comparisons have been negative since 2nd quarter 2015. Still, on a Y/Y basis, there were gains among market and functional specialty chemical segments.