Chemical manufacturing activity improved modestly in the third quarter and remains on track for steady expansion into 2025 according to companies participating in ACC’s quarterly Chemical Manufacturing Economic Sentiment Index survey. ACC’s index, based on companies’ assessment of their activity level overall (e.g., sales, production, output) moderated, losing momentum in Q3 as chemical manufacturers reported subdued demand in major customer markets. Most companies described major customer market demand as having either stabilized or deteriorated in Q3. The volume of new orders index fell in Q3, reflecting declines in foreign orders and solid but muted growth in domestic orders.
Chemical manufacturers continue to assess the global economic situation as deteriorating. They report economic conditions in the U.S. as improving. However, the ESI survey continues to show an increasing level of regulatory burden every quarter.