U.S. specialty products index rises

Source: China Chemical Industry News February 14, 2019

Recently, the American Chemical Industry Council (ACC) recently released the December 2018 Special Chemicals Index (SCI). Data show that SCI rose 4.2% year-on-year in December.

Among the 28 specialty products monitored by ACC, 19 rose in December 2018, compared with 18 in November. Oilfield chemicals increased by 16.3% year-on-year, followed by foundry chemicals and corrosion inhibitors, which increased by 8.7% and 7.8% respectively. Nine subdivided products fell in December, with pigments down 4.9% and catalysts down 1.9%.

Since the beginning of 2018, the index has risen 4.4%. In 2018, US oilfield chemicals increased by 15.3%, followed by electronic chemicals, an increase of 9.4%, and corrosion inhibitors, flavors and fragrances increased by 8%. In 2018, pigments fell by 4.1% and catalysts fell by 2.6%.

In December, the index rose by 0.6% compared with November. In December, casting chemicals increased by 1.6% month-on-month, and lubricating additives and oilfield chemicals increased by 1% month-on-month. Plasticizers and plastic additives fell by 1.6% and 1% in December.