The preliminary value for the CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI) for April 2023 (most recent available) rose compared to the previous month’s value, the second consecutive monthly rise. The April values saw small increases in all four subindices (Equipment; Buildings; Construction Labor; and Engineering & Supervision). The current CEPCI value now sits at 1.6% lower than the corresponding value from April 2022. Regarding the Current Business Indicators, readers will notice a large increase in the CPI Output Values for 2023. This increase is likely the result of annual revisions made by the U.S. Census Bureau. Shipments of nondurable goods (including chemicals and fuels) were revised higher for the year.
2023 CEPCI updates: April (prelim.) and March (final)
| By Scott Jenkins, Chemical Engineering magazine