The American Chemistry Council (ACC) reports that U.S. specialty chemicals market volumes regained momentum, increasing 0.4% in February after only a 0.1% gain in January. All changes in the data are reported on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis. Of the 28 specialty chemical segments monitored, 21 expanded in February and seven experienced decline. During February, large market volume gains (1.0% and over) occurred in food additives, mining chemicals, oilfield chemicals and textile specialties.
The overall specialty chemicals volume index was up 5.1% on a year-over-year (Y/Y) 3MMA basis. The index stood at 113.1% of its average 2012 levels. This is equivalent to 7.79 billion pounds (3.54 million metric tons). On a Y/Y basis, there were gains among 23 market and functional specialty chemical segments. Compared to last year, volumes were down in only five segments.
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