The total market volume of specialty chemicals in the U.S. rose by 0.1% in March, according to the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com). In its latest Weekly Chemistry and Economic Report, ACC commented that the March gain represents a deceleration from the 0.6% gain in February and similar gains the previous three months.
“Of the 28 market and functional specialty chemical segments we monitor, 16 markets expanded in March,” ACC said, which is the same number as in February. The remaining 12 markets were either flat or experienced decline.
In March, the large gains (those over 1.0%) were observed in the adhesives and sealants, cosmetics, flavors and fragrances, printing ink and rubber-processing chemicals, the ACC report says. More nominal gains were seen in antioxidants, biocides, catalysts, electronic chemicals, food additives, paint additives, pigments and water management chemicals.
The overall specialty chemicals market volume index was up 2.6% year-over-year on a three-month-moving average basis, the ACC report said.
Overseas, ACC said China’s factory activity was contracting and Europe industrial production data were negative, the ACC report says.