United States. According to the American Chemistry Council (ACC), regional chemical production rose 0.7% in January, following a revised 0.9% increase in December 2012. Chemical production increased in all major producing regions for the second month in a row.
In a three-month average move (3mma), output in the country's overall manufacturing sector rose by 0.8% in January, following a 0.7% rise last December.
Within the manufacturing sector, production in several key end-use chemical markets increased, including appliances, motor vehicles, aerospace, building materials, machinery, equipment, plastic products, paper, structural panels, textiles, printing, apparel, and furniture.
In addition, measuring on the 3mma basis, gains were made in the production of organic chemicals, industrial gases, inorganic chemicals, plastic resins, synthetic rubber, artificial fibers, consumer products, coatings and adhesives. These increases were offset by decreases in the production of pesticides and fertilizers.
