02.01.19
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) reported that US specialty chemicals market volumes started the fourth quarter on a healthy note, rising 0.3% in October. This follows a 0.4% gain in September and a 0.6% rise in August. This marks an improvement from the average 0.1% gain in the second quarter but below the average 0.5% gain in the first quarter.
In addition, the pace of change moderated during the past three months. All changes in the data are reported on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis.
Of the 28 specialty chemical segments monitored, 17 expanded in October—down from 19 in September. Eleven markets declined. During October, large market volume gains (1.0% and over) occurred only in foundry chemicals, lubricant additives and textile specialties.
The overall specialty chemicals volume index was up 6.1% on a year-over-year (Y/Y) 3MMA basis. The index stood at 114.4% of its average 2012 levels in October. This is equivalent to 7.79 billion pounds (3.54 million metric tons). On a Y/Y basis, there were gains among 22 market and functional specialty chemical segments.
In addition, the pace of change moderated during the past three months. All changes in the data are reported on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis.
Of the 28 specialty chemical segments monitored, 17 expanded in October—down from 19 in September. Eleven markets declined. During October, large market volume gains (1.0% and over) occurred only in foundry chemicals, lubricant additives and textile specialties.
The overall specialty chemicals volume index was up 6.1% on a year-over-year (Y/Y) 3MMA basis. The index stood at 114.4% of its average 2012 levels in October. This is equivalent to 7.79 billion pounds (3.54 million metric tons). On a Y/Y basis, there were gains among 22 market and functional specialty chemical segments.