US monthly chemical output edges down: ACC

According to the American Chemistry Council (ACC) trade group, the US Chemical Production Regional Index (CPRI) slipped by 0.1% in September, following a downwardly-revised 0.2% gain in August, and a 0.4% gain in July.

Over the same period, chemical production by segment was mixed. There were gains in the output of organic chemicals, consumer products, and inorganics (especially chlor-alkali). 

At the same time, there were declines in the production of adhesives, fertilizers, plastic resins, synthetic rubber, pharmaceuticals, coatings, pesticides, manufactured fibers, and other specialties.

Nearly all manufactured goods are produced using chemistry in some form or another. Thus, manufacturing activity is an important indicator for chemical production, the ACC explains. 

On a three-month-moving average basis, manufacturing activity edged higher by 0.2% in September, following similar gains in July and August.  Production expanded in several chemistry-intensive manufacturing industries, including motor vehicles, aerospace, machinery, plastic products, rubber products, structural panels, printing, apparel, and furniture.

Compared to September 2014, US chemical production was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis, a weakening from August’s year-over-year gain of 3.1%. Chemical production remained ahead of year ago levels in all regions.