The U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index (U.S. CPRI) rose by 0.8% in December, following a 0.3% gain in November, according to the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com).
“For the second consecutive month, production increased in all seven regions of the U.S.,” the ACC said in its latest Weekly Chemistry and Economic Report. For the year as a whole, the U.S. CPRI was ahead by 1.2%, ACC noted.
The increases by region, for December, were as follows: Gulf Coast (1.4%); Midwest (0.8%); Ohio Valley (1.5%); Mid-Atlantic (0.4%); Southeast (0.8%); Northeast (0.5%); and West Coast (0.4%).
Meanwhile, ACC also reported that U.S. specialty chemical market volumes rose 1.0% in December. This follows a 1.1% gain in November and a 0.6% gain in October. Of the 28 specialty chemical segments monitored by ACC, 25 expanded in December.
Those segments with large gains (defined at 1.0% or greater) include the following: adhesives and sealants; construction chemicals; electronic chemicals; food additives; foundry chemicals; lubricant additives; mining chemicals; paint additives; and pigments and printing ink