On The Rise: US Chemicals Marketplace

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) reported that US specialty chemicals market volumes rose 0.6% in February. This follows an upwardly revised 0.4% gain in January. Volumes have generally been moving up since May, 2016. All changes in the data are reported on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis.


Of the 28 specialty, chemical segments monitored by ACC, 18 expanded in February and 10 declined. During February, large gains (1.0% and higher) occurred in antioxidants, food additives, mining chemicals, oilfield chemicals, paint additives and rubber processing chemicals.


The overall specialty chemicals volume index was up 1.3% on a year-over-year (Y/Y) 3MMA basis. The index stood at 107.2% of its average 2012 levels.


Year-earlier comparisons were negative through second quarter 2016 but are now improving as the recovery in the oil and gas sector has engaged, according to ACC. On a Y/Y basis, there were gains among 15 market and functional specialty chemical segments.