U.S. specialty chemicals market volumes are experiencing a rebound following the winter storms, rising 3.1% in March after a 4.5% decline in February, according to data from the American Chemistry Council (ACC). Of the 28 specialty chemical segments that ACC monitors, 24 expanded in March, up from three in February and 21 in January. Four segments declined in March. On a sequential basis, diffusion was 86%, up from 11% in February and 77% in January. Nineteen segments featured gains of 1.0% or more.
During March, overall specialty chemicals volumes were off 1.2% on a year-over-year (Y/Y) basis. Volumes stood at 107.1% of their average 2012 levels in February. This is equivalent to 7.29 billion pounds (3.31 million metric tons). On a year-earlier basis, gains occurred in 19 chemical segments. On a year-earlier basis, diffusion was 68% in March.
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