U.S. Recovery Slows, Specialty Chemicals Markets Stable

U.S. specialty chemicals market volumes were stable in September, off from a revised (and stronger) 0.9% gain in August and a 2.8% gain in July.

Oct. 23, 2020

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) reports that with the recovery in the U.S. economy slowing, U.S. specialty chemicals market volumes were stable in September, off from a revised (and stronger) 0.9% gain in August and a 2.8% gain in July. Of the 28 specialty chemical segments that ACC monitors, 13 expanded in September, down from 27 segments in August. On a sequential basis, diffusion was 46%, a setback from 96% in August. Of the 13 segments showing growth in September, eight featured gains of 1.0% or more.

During September, specialty chemicals volumes were off 8.1% on a year-over-year (Y/Y) basis, a slight improvement from August. Volumes stood at 102.9% of their average 2012 levels in September. This is equivalent to 7.01 billion pounds (3.18 million metric tons). On a Y/Y basis, only three chemical segments showed gains. On a year-earlier basis, diffusion was 11% in September.

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