Chemical Production Falls in March but Specialty Chemicals has Uptick

By: Research Solutions | May 5, 2021

Still recovering from the crippling winter storm that hit many of the Texas and Gulf Coast chemical manufacturers early this year, the U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index fell 2.8% in March following a 3.9% decline in February according to the American Chemistry Council.  But the numbers were not all down. The specialty chemical market rose 3.1% in March after a 4.5% decline in February. The American Chemistry Council defines specialty chemicals as “materials manufactured on the basis of the unique performance or function and provide a wide variety of effects on which many other sectors and end-use products rely.” Our Purchasing, Inventory, and Management teams at Research Solutions are committed to monitoring the national and global chemical markets to make sure we are able to get the products our customers need, at the best prices we can. If you have questions about our stock or your order, please always feel free to reach out to your Account Manager.

Read our source articles here and here. 

Economic Activity and Oil Demand to Boost in 2021

By: Research Solutions | April 13, 2021

Thanks to historic stimulus packages, an ease on pandemic mandates, and the increased distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, the global economic output is scheduled to increase by 5.5% in 2021, according to the International Monetary Fund. This boost is set to escalate economic activity and the demand for crude oil, to the tune of 100,000 barrels a day, according to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. At Research Solutions we are excited about this promise of new economic growth for the country, and we are committed to keeping our thumb on the pulse of the market so that we may continue finding solutions for our customer’s chemical needs.

Read our source articles here and here. 

Intense Winter Storm Halts Gulf Coast Petrochemical Market

By Research Solutions | February 26, 2021

Extraordinary winter storms across the gulf coast, and most of Texas, brought an onslaught of snow and ice to many American petrochemical suppliers this month. Many companies resorted to force majeure as conditions prevented them from having access electricity, water, and natural gas for several days. Texas, as the petrochemical hub of America, is slowly recovering from the record breaking temperatures and companies are working to try and get back online this week. Read more here.

Investigation Underway for Antidumping of Imported Acetone

By Research Solutions | August 15, 2019

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has determined that there is a reasonable indication that the U.S. chemical industry is materially injured by the import of acetone from Belgium, Korea, Singapore, South Africa, and Spain, and it is being sold in the United States at less than fair value. Flooding the market with imported material causes the supply to outweigh the demand, which forces prices to lower to an unfair market value. The Coalition for Acetone Fair Trade (AdvanSix Inc., Altivia Petrochemicals, LLC, and Olin Corporation) filed a petition with the Department of Commerce requesting an investigation on these imports of acetone. Read the full USITC report here: https://www.usitc.gov/publications/701_731/pub4884.pdf