According to American Chemistry Council’s U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index (U.S. CPRI) expanded by 0.6% in November following a 0.3% decline in October and a 1.7% decline in September.

Chemical output rose in all regions, with the largest gains in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and West Coast regions. The U.S. CPRI is measured as a three-month moving average (3MMA). Compared with November 2020, U.S. chemical production was ahead by 1.7% Y/Y, a slightly weaker comparison than last month, reflecting in part, lingering impacts from Hurricane Ida. Chemical production continued to be higher than a year ago in all regions, however.

Chemical production was mixed in November (3MMA), with an improving trend in the production of coatings, adhesives, consumer products, crop protection, other specialty chemicals, organic chemicals synthetic rubber and manufactured fibers. These gains were offset by weakness in plastic resins, basic inorganic chemicals, industrial gases, and synthetic dyed & pigments. 

As nearly all manufactured goods are produced using chemistry in some form, manufacturing activity is an important indicator for chemical demand. Manufacturing output expanded for a fifth consecutive month in November, by 0.5% (3MMA).

The 3MMA trend in manufacturing production was mixed, with gains in the output of food and beverages, motor vehicles, aerospace, construction supplies, fabricated metal products, machinery, semiconductors, refining, iron and steel products, plastic products, rubber products, tires, paper, printing, apparel, and furniture.