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Chemical Activity Barometer up slightly in March, ACC says

The Chemical Activity Barometer (CAB), a leading economic indicator created by the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com), rose 1.2% in March on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis, following a 1.0% increase in February. On a year-over-year (Y/Y)…

U.S. specialty chemical markets curbed by winter storms, ACC says

After a solid start to the year, winter storms dampened U.S. specialty chemicals market volumes in February, according to the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com). Volumes fell 4.1% in February, bringing activity back to 3Q 2020 levels. Of…

U.S. chemical production dropped in February, ACC says

The U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index (U.S. CPRI), fell 3.6% in February, following a 0.7% gain in January and a 1.3% gain in December, according to the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com). During February, chemical output fell in…

Clariant opens new R&D center in China

Clariant Catalysts (Munich, Germany; www.clariant.com) has opened a new, state-of-the-art R&D center at its “One Clariant Campus” (OCC) in Shanghai. This R&D Center is integrated into the brand new Clariant Innovation Center China within the One Clariant Campus, and will…

2020 annual CEPCI average value

Since its introduction in 1963, the Chemical Engineering Plant Cost Index (CEPCI) has served as an important tool for chemical-process-industry (CPI) professionals when adjusting process plant construction costs from one time period to another. The CEPCI consists of a composite…

2021 CEPCI updates: January (prelim.) and December 2020 (final)

The preliminary value for the CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI) for January 2021 (the most recent available) shows another significant increase from December 2020. The current value is the fourth consecutive monthly increase, and the second consecutive monthly increase of…

Clariant and India Glycols form JV for renewable ethylene oxide derivatives

Clariant AG (Muttenz, Switzerland; www.clariant.com) and India Glycols Limited (IGL), a leading company in the manufacturing of green technology-based chemicals, announced a strategic partnership to establish a 51-49% joint venture in renewable ethylene oxide (EO) derivatives.  By combining production and…

U.S. chemical production rose in January, ACC says

The U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index (U.S. CPRI) rose 0.8% in January following a 1.4% gain in December and a 1.1% gain in November, according to the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com). During January, chemical output expanded in…

Calling all experts

Do your colleagues often come to you with questions about a particular topic? Do you find yourself assigned to certain types of projects? Do others seek career advice from you? These are all signals that you are an expert in…

U.S. specialty chemical markets expand in January, ACC says

The American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com) reported that U.S. specialty chemicals market volumes rose 1.2% in January, accelerating slightly from a 1.0% gain in December. Of the 28 specialty chemical segments that ACC monitors, 19 expanded in January,…