Market volumes for U.S. specialty chemicals were flat in April, according to the latest Weekly Chemistry and Economic Report from the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com). The flat result in April followed a 1.3% gain in March and 0.3% gain in February.
In April, 10 of the 28 specialty chemical market segments monitored by the ACC saw expansion, while 17 segments declined, and one was flat. In contrast, 23 segments expanded in March. Adhesives and sealants, foundry metals, oilfield chemicals and paint additives were the four segments experiencing greater that 1.0% gains in market volume for April, the ACC report said. Smaller gains were observed for construction chemicals, corrosion inhibitors, electronic chemicals, food additives, pigments and mining chemicals.
Compared to a year ago at this time, all market segments except four (plastic additives, plasticizers, paper additives and dyes) are higher, according to the ACC report.
For the wider economy, the ACC said the week’s data were mixed, with first-quarter gross domestic product revised downward, but with the details suggesting improving performance going forward. Consumer confidence and personal incomes rose, but consumer spending data were disappointing, the ACC report said.