Manufacturing production grew during June, and on a three-month moving average (3MMA), output of the nation’s overall manufacturing sector was 0.3 percent higher. Within the manufacturing sector, output in many key chemistry end-use markets expanded, including appliances, motor vehicles, aerospace, construction supplies, machinery, fabricated metal products, computers, semiconductors, plastic products, rubber products, plywood, printing, paper and furniture.

Also measured on a 3MMA basis, overall chemical production was again mixed. There were gains in the output of chlor-alkali and other inorganic chemicals, plastic resins, synthetic rubber, synthetic dyes and pigments, industrial gases, consumer products, organic chemicals and pharmaceuticals. These gains were partially offset by declines in the production of fertilizers, pesticides, synthetic fibers, coatings and adhesives.

Compared to June 2013, total chemical production in all regions was ahead by 1.3 percent on a year-over-year basis, following a revised 1.4 percent gain in May. Chemical production was up from a year ago in all regions. Comparing the first half of 2014 to that in 2013, chemical production was up 0.9 percent nationally, with all seven regions posting gains.

Read Full Article