The US Chemical Production Regional Index (CPRI) edged
higher by 0.1% in May, the American Chemistry Council (ACC)
trade group said Friday, making back some gains from a
downwardly-revised 0.2% decline in April.
During May, chemical production rose in the Ohio Valley,
Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and Southeast regions. Chemical
production was flat in the Gulf Coast, Midwest, and West Coast
On a three-month moving average (3MMA), output of the
nations overall manufacturing sector fell by 0.1% in May,
following flat growth in April.
Within the manufacturing sector, output in several key
chemistry end-use markets grew, including appliances, motor
vehicles, computers and electronics, semiconductors, plastic
products, rubber products, printing, and furniture.
As export demand has weakened due to the recession in Europe and slower growth in key
emerging markets, demand for manufactured goods has slipped and
manufacturing activity has slowed, the ACC
said. Manufacturing demand is a significant driver of
demand for chemistry products.
Also measured on a 3MMA basis, overall chemical production
was again mixed. Gains in the output of consumer products,
organic chemicals, chlor-alkali plastic resins, fertilizers
were offset by lower production of pharmaceuticals, adhesives,
coatings, other specialties, synthetic rubber, pesticides,
industrial gases, manmade fibers, and synthetic dyes and
Compared to May 2012, total chemical production in all
regions accelerated to a 0.9% year-over-year gain, following a
0.5% jump in April. The year-over-year comparisons
improved in all regions.
Comparing the first five months of 2013 to those in 2012,
chemical production was up 0.7% nationally, with five of the
seven regions posting gains.
For more specific figures, visit the ACC's website.