06.21.18
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) reported that US specialty chemicals market volumes continued to gain during the second quarter, increasing 0.5 percent in May after an upwardly revised 1.0 percent gain in April and a 0.4 percent gain in March. All changes in the data are reported on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis. Of the 28 specialty chemical segments monitored, 15 expanded in May, 10 markets experienced decline and three featured no change. During May, large market volume gains (1.0 percent and over) occurred in oilfield chemicals and plastics compounding.
The overall specialty chemicals volume index was up 5.1 percent on a year-over-year (Y/Y) 3MMA basis. The index stood at 112.9 percent of its average 2012 levels. This is equivalent to 7.78 billion pounds (3.53 million metric tons). On a Y/Y basis, there were gains among twenty-three market and functional specialty chemical segments. Compared to last year, volumes were down in four segments.
The overall specialty chemicals volume index was up 5.1 percent on a year-over-year (Y/Y) 3MMA basis. The index stood at 112.9 percent of its average 2012 levels. This is equivalent to 7.78 billion pounds (3.53 million metric tons). On a Y/Y basis, there were gains among twenty-three market and functional specialty chemical segments. Compared to last year, volumes were down in four segments.
