05.25.18
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) reported that US specialty chemicals market volumes started the 2nd quarter on a strong note, increasing 0.9 percent in April after an upwardly revised 0.5 percent gain in March and a 0.3 percent gain in February. All changes in the data are reported on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis. Of the twenty-eight specialty chemical segments we monitor, twenty-four expanded in April, one market experienced decline and three featured no change. During April, large market volume gains (1.0 percent and over) occurred in adhesives & sealants, mining chemicals, oilfield chemicals, plastics compounding and rubber processing chemicals.
The overall specialty chemicals volume index was up 4.7 percent on a year-over-year (Y/Y) 3MMA basis. The index stood at 112.5 percent of its average 2012 levels. This is equivalent to 7.75 billion pounds (3.52 million metric tons). On a Y/Y basis, there were gains among 21 market and functional specialty chemical segments. Compared to last year, volumes were down in five segments.
The overall specialty chemicals volume index was up 4.7 percent on a year-over-year (Y/Y) 3MMA basis. The index stood at 112.5 percent of its average 2012 levels. This is equivalent to 7.75 billion pounds (3.52 million metric tons). On a Y/Y basis, there were gains among 21 market and functional specialty chemical segments. Compared to last year, volumes were down in five segments.