The Global Chemical Production Regional Index (Global CPRI) rose 0.2% in October on a three-month-moving-average basis, according the latest Weekly Chemistry and Economics Report from the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com). The gain indicates that fourth-quarter chemical production started on a modest note, the ACC report says.
“Gains in production were centered in North America (aided by the shale gas revolution), with nominal gains in Central & Eastern Europe, Africa & the Middle East, and, to a lesser extent Asia-Pacific,” the report states. In other regions, chemical industry production declined. The October 2014 Global CPRI is 3.2% higher than the same time last year, the report notes.
The ACC report also says the S&P index for chemical companies rose by 1.1% in November, compared to a 2.6% gain in the broader S&P 500 Index.