In April, the Global Chemical Production Regional Index (Global CPRI) rose 0.2%, a level about even with the average gain in the first quarter of 2013, according to data discussed in the latest Weekly Chemistry and Economic Report from the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com).
Among the regions, gains were mixed, with increases in three of the six major market regions, ACC said, and the gains were centered in emerging markets. Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe and Africa and the Middle East showed gains for April, the ACC report says. Chemical production in Western Europe, North America and Latin America were down in April.
For the U.S. specifically, the CPRI slipped in April by 0.1%, after a downwardly revised 0.5% decline in March, the ACC report said. However, the Ohio Valley and Northeast regions of the U.S. posted gains.