Richard Maxwell, MBA

Demand has been improving for PP as pricing has come off a bit, and that coupled with an improved PGP supply has led us to a point where the market is more so balanced now than it has been for the better part of the past 9 months. Operating rates are still at historical lows (69.8% YTD) but should improve as producers under Force Majeure return to normal production.

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Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) is experiencing 10-year record high prices, around $275/st, due to tight supply, with limited relief in sight. While there will be new production in West Texas, most HCL is produced as a co-product from making Vinyl Chloride Monomer, and Isocyanates. The Home Construction industry being a major consumer of these products in the form of PVC and Foam insulation will need to improve before supply recovers. With high interest rates and inflation, that is not on the horizon at this time. So HCL supply will likely be tight until we see the federal government lower interest rates. If you would like to learn more about this topic, message me here on LinkedIn. #ICIS #HCL #hydrochloric #JamesRay

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ACC’s U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index (U.S. CPRI) rose 0.1% in March, following a revised 2.0% gain in February. Measured on a 3MMA basis, chemical output in the U.S. was higher for a second month in a row with continued gains across all regions. There were signs of recovery in the output volumes of basic industrial chemicals and consumer products that were offset by ongoing weakness in agricultural chemicals and specialty chemicals. Output of synthetic materials was essentially flat. Compared to last March, U.S. chemical production was off by 0.4%.

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Following a 0.5% gain in February, ACC’s Global Chemical Production Regional Index (Global CPRI) rose by 0.6% in March. Growth was observed in all regions, with significant contributions from the U.S., China, and Germany. All segments grew with agricultural chemicals scoring the highest gain. Global chemicals production growth was up 3.6% Y/Y.

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The U.S. CPRI rose 0.6% in April, the third monthly gain in a row. The U.S. CPRI measures chemical production trends on a three-month moving average (3MMA) to smooth month-to-month volatility. Chemical production was higher across all regions in April. The strongest gains were in the Gulf Coast and Northeast regions. Compared to a year ago, the U.S. CPRI was up 0.5%, the fifth consecutive positive annual comparison. Compared to a year ago, chemical production was trending higher across all regions, except the Northeast which was still slightly lower than April 2023.

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Why GFS Chemicals’ Columbus, OH Location is a Game-Changer for Regional Labs Choosing the right chemical supplier is crucial for the efficiency and success of your lab. At GFS Chemicals, our strategic location in Columbus, OH, offers unparalleled benefits for laboratories in the region: Fast Delivery: Need your chemicals quickly? Our central location in Columbus means we can deliver your orders within one to two days depending on your location, ensuring your research and projects stay on track without unnecessary delays. Say goodbye to long wait times and hello to seamless lab operations. Reliability You Can Trust: With nearly a century of experience, GFS Chemicals has established itself as a trusted partner in the industry. Our prompt and reliable delivery service means you can count on us to meet your needs, every time. Our commitment to reliability is your guarantee of uninterrupted lab work. Local Support and Understanding: Being close to our customers means we understand your specific needs and challenges better. Our local presence allows us to offer personalized support and quicker response times. Whether you need technical assistance or have urgent requirements, we're just around the corner and ready to help. Quality Assurance at Its Best: At GFS Chemicals, quality is at the heart of everything we do. Our products meet the highest standards of quality and consistency, backed by our commitment to excellence and extensive industry knowledge. You can trust that every chemical we deliver will perform as expected, supporting your critical work with confidence. Building Strong Community Connections: Our location in Columbus not only allows us to serve you better but also strengthens our ties within the local scientific community. We're proud to support regional labs and contribute to the advancement of research and innovation right here at home. Partner with GFS Chemicals and experience the advantage of working with a local supplier dedicated to your success. Contact me today at 380.390.8720 or johnholland@gfschemicals.com to learn more about how we can support your lab’s needs! #Chemicals #LabSupply #Research #GFSchemicals #ColumbusOH #FastDelivery #QualityAssurance #LocalSupport #Community

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New Powder Coatings MarketsandMarkets™ Report Released. #market #reports #disposableincome #coatings #powdercoatings #coatingsindustry https://lnkd.in/ePCNUmia

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CECO Environmental recently published an article in World Fertilizer Magazine explaining how droplet collection mechanisms operate and help distinguish different types of mist eliminators. This incredibly informative feature was put together by our subject matter experts, Ali Goudarzi and Marilia Davidson. Check it out! #fertilizers #MistElimination #IndustryInsight https://okt.to/njweP2

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How will another split of DuPont impact the resin industry? Be sure to contact the experts at RTiGlobal.com to find out. #RTIGlobal #DuPont #M&A #Divestment #Resin #ResinSmart #RealExperts #RealExpertise #RealResults https://lnkd.in/g47PUkgu

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It was an interesting week at RDD, meeting the industry peers, partners and experts and discussing the latest developments in the pMDI space and its future path for various geographies #RDDUSA #RespiratoryDrugDelivery #Tucson #pMDI

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Following a 0.5% gain in March, ACC’s Global Chemical Production Regional Index (Global CPRI) rose by another 0.5% in April. Growth was observed in all regions, with significant contributions from the U.S., China, Japan, Korea, Germany, and Italy. All segments grew with agricultural chemicals gaining the most and accelerating. Global chemicals production growth was up 4.1% Y/Y.

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Chemical executives are achieving success with digital investments, focusing on operational efficiency and value creation. Explore the strategies driving their growth. https://bit.ly/45jnoi8 #chemicalindustry #specialtychemicals #chemicals

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What can the U.S. paint industry expect in the next four years? Find out in ACA’s U.S. Market Analysis for the Paint and Coatings Industry (2023-2028). 🎨📈 This essential resource, prepared by The ChemQuest Group, Inc., offers authoritative data on each coatings segment's value and volume. It's designed to help decision-makers with long-term strategic planning and short-term critical decisions. Inside are insights on growth rates and industry forecasts through 2028 that you won't find anywhere else.  https://lnkd.in/g7TGHRv3 #PaintAndCoatings #MarketAnalysis #StrategicPlanning #BusinessGrowth #IndustryForecast

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🎨 #CoatingAdditives can comprise up to 5% of a total formulation. While small in amount, they provide a strong impact on performance. Read our latest blog to learn about the basics of coating additives and the many benefits they can provide in your formulations: https://brnw.ch/21wJ5x9

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C&EN unveils the top 50 US chemical producers for 2024! It’s amazing to see the growth and innovation taking place amidst challenging market conditions. Sustainability is now more than just a buzzword; it's reflected in the initiatives and business strategies of many companies on this list. 🌿🌏 From advanced materials to specialty chemicals, the range is impressive. Leading firms are leveraging technology and strategic partnerships to stay ahead, ensuring that they meet consumer demands while also addressing environmental concerns. This proactive approach will likely set the stage for the next era of chemical manufacturing. It's particularly interesting to observe how companies are harnessing digital transformation to optimize production and supply chain management. As we move forward, these innovations could become industry standards that redefine operational efficiency. For those of us in the sector, this list serves as a benchmark and a source of inspiration. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, there's much to learn from the strategies of these top performers. 🧪📲Check out the list: https://loom.ly/6rGE_4I #ChemicalIndustry #Sustainability #Innovation #Top50 #USChemicalProducers #BusinessStrategy #DigitalTransformation

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