10.20.16
The US specialty chemicals market volumes rose 0.3% percent in September, according to The American Chemistry Council (ACC) Specialty Chemicals Market Volume Index. This follows a revised 0.1 percent gain in August and 0.3 percent gain in July.
All changes in the data are reported on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis. Of the 28 specialty chemical segments we monitor, 21 expanded in September, four were stable and the remaining three markets experienced decline. During September, large gains (1.0 percent and over) were noted in adhesives and sealants and in mining chemicals.
The overall specialty chemicals volume index was off 1.5 percent year-over-year (Y/Y) on a 3MMA basis. The index stood at 104.6 percent of its average 2012 levels. This is equivalent to 7.21 billion pounds (3.27 million metric tons). During 2014, Y/Y comparisons were generally in the 4.0 percent to 6.8 percent range but since February 2015, they have fallen well below that range as the downturn in the oil and gas sector affected headline volumes. Weakness spread to other segments as well and year-earlier comparisons have been negative since 2nd quarter 2015. Lately, the year-earlier declines have been moderating. On a Y/Y basis, there were gains among market and functional specialty chemical segments.
All changes in the data are reported on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis. Of the 28 specialty chemical segments we monitor, 21 expanded in September, four were stable and the remaining three markets experienced decline. During September, large gains (1.0 percent and over) were noted in adhesives and sealants and in mining chemicals.
The overall specialty chemicals volume index was off 1.5 percent year-over-year (Y/Y) on a 3MMA basis. The index stood at 104.6 percent of its average 2012 levels. This is equivalent to 7.21 billion pounds (3.27 million metric tons). During 2014, Y/Y comparisons were generally in the 4.0 percent to 6.8 percent range but since February 2015, they have fallen well below that range as the downturn in the oil and gas sector affected headline volumes. Weakness spread to other segments as well and year-earlier comparisons have been negative since 2nd quarter 2015. Lately, the year-earlier declines have been moderating. On a Y/Y basis, there were gains among market and functional specialty chemical segments.