The business of American chemistry expanded 3.6 percent in 2015 despite global headwinds that included a strong appreciation of the U.S. dollar and a weakness in several key global markets.
The growth rate of the large and diverse chemical industry in North America tends to track GDP, but a confluence of factors is expected to accelerate the industry's growth relative to the overall economy during the next five to ten years. By the end of this period, the U.S. - representing more than 80 percent of the North American chemical market - will be a larger net exporter of chemicals than it is today.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration's annual energy outlook - which was released earlier this spring - anticipated that the industrial sector's energy demand would outpace all other sectors through 2040, and a just-released EIA report projected that bulk chemicals would account for a "large portion of both consumption and anticipated growth," with the value of chemical shipments increasing from $288bn in 2013 to $429bn in 2025.
Following OPEC's decision at the end of November to maintain production at its current level, the Brent spot price of oil closed at $70.02 per barrel, down 39 percent from its closing price of $115.19 on June 19, 2014. Similarly, the WTI spot price fell by 39 percent over the same period, closing at $66.15 at the end of November. What's next? Will the price of oil continue to fall, and if so, how far? Will the price of oil level out? Or will it rebound?
The U.S. petrochemical resurgence is being closely watched in Europe where companies are wondering whether the deluge of North American shale gas will sap away their competitive advantage.
