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Chemical Production Regional Index

Global Chemical Output Decline Slows in September to Six-Month Low

Global Global chemical manufacturing continued to decline in September, with production softening across every major region. The pace of decline has slowed in many regions, however. The Global Chemical Production Regional Index (Global CPRI) fell for a sixth consecutive month, down 0.2% in September and was 3.6% lower than a year earlier, according to new data from the American Chemistry Council (ACC).

“U.S. chemical production moved slightly lower in September, edging lower by 0.1% for the month and 4.5% from a year earlier”, said David Lan, ACC’s Director of Economics and Statistics. “Driven primarily by industries tied to data center investment, the broader manufacturing sector continued to expand in September according to both the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Purchasing Managers Index (PMI)® and the Federal Reserve.

While the most basic semiconductor chip requires 500 process chemicals to produce, industries that consume larger volumes of chemistry (primarily housing) continued to find their footing.”

“The steepest regional declines were in Russia and the Middle East & Africa, where chemical output fell by 1.7% and 1.4%, respectively, as conflict in both regions continued to disrupt production and access to feedstocks.

He added: “Chemical production also eased in Europe, China, and South America.”

Key findings:

  • ↓ Global Chemical Output Eases: The Global CPRI declined 0.2% in September (the slowest pace of decline in six months) and was down 3.6% from September 2025. Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, Russia and South America all recorded monthly declines, but many regions showed some signs of improvement.
  • ↓ U.S. Output Slowed: U.S. chemical manufacturing declined 0.1% in September and was 4.5% below its year-earlier level. While the decline in U.S. chemical industry output was close to neutral, output in other segments of the manufacturing sector grew. Manufacturing surveys suggested broader manufacturing activity expanded in September and according to Federal Reserve’s industrial production data, 14 of 20 key chemistry-consuming manufacturing sectors expanded. Chemical output rose slightly in Canada, but declined in Mexico.
  • ↓ Chinese Production Continued to Decline at a Slower Pace: China’s chemical manufacturing index declined 0.3% in September and was 4.8% below its year-earlier level. Survey readings on broader manufacturing activity suggested momentum in September with both the RatingDog Manufacturing PMI and the official NBS PMI suggesting expansion in Chinese manufacturing.
  • ↓ European Production Mixed: European chemical manufacturing slipped 0.1% in September, but was 0.3% higher than its year-earlier level. Gains in chemical output in France and Belgium were offset by declines in Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands and the UK. The broader European manufacturing backdrop continued to gain momentum, however, according to S&P’s Eurozone PMI®.
  • ↓ Middle East & Africa Drop Continued: Chemical manufacturing in the region declined 1.4% in September and was 17.5% below its year-earlier level. Chemical production in Saudi Arabia continued to decline, while Turkish output expanded slightly during the month. Despite an improvement in shipping conditions during September, producers in the region continued to face conflict-related disruptions. S&P surveys suggest that private sector output expanded in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, and Lebanon, but continued to contract in Qatar and Egypt.
  • ↓ South American Production Slightly Lower: South American chemical manufacturing declined 0.2% in September but remained 1.6% above its year-earlier level. Chemical output rose in Brazil during the month but declined in Argentina and Chile. Brazil’s broader manufacturing sector deteriorated further according to S&P, as production, new orders, and purchasing activity declined.

Check out ACC’s Economic Elements of Chemistry to see more industry data. 
 

Additional Data