According to the American Chemistry Council (ACC), the U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index (U.S. CPRI) expanded by 0.2% in September, following a 0.3% decline in August and flat growth in July. In September, chemical production rose across all regions, with the largest gains in the Ohio Valley, Gulf Coast, and Midwest regions. Compared to September 2015, U.S. chemical production was ahead by 0.6% on a year-over-year basis, an improving comparison from August.

Measured on a three-month-moving-average (3MMA) basis, chemical production was mixed. Gains were found in the production output trend of adhesives, fertilizers, pesticides, coatings, organic chemicals, synthetic rubber, plastic resins, pharmaceuticals and other specialty chemicals. These gains were offset by declines in the output trend in inorganic chemicals, consumer products, industrial gases, dyes and pigments, and manufactured fibers.

On a 3MMA basis, manufacturing activity was flat in September, following marginal gains in July and August. Production expanded in several chemistry-intensive manufacturing industries, including food and beverages, motor vehicles, construction supplies, computers and electronics, semiconductors, petroleum refining, plastic products, rubber products, textile products, and apparel.

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