American Chemistry Council adds members, cites stronger 'activity barometer' in May

The American Chemistry Council's (ACC) board has approved the addition of nine new members, including five regular, three affiliate and one associate member.

The new members — which are involved in chemical manufacturing, engineering and logistics services, transportation, trading and operational consulting — include Dexco Polymers, Elevance Renewable Sciences, Kraton Performance Polymers, PeroxyChem L.L.C. and Velsicol Chemical L.LC. (regular); EPI Engineering, Transplace and Tricon (affiliate); and MTG Ltd. (associate).

The ACC's board also approved eight new Responsible Care® Partners: Cargo Services Inc., CSX Transportation, Girton Propane Service Inc./G-Wash L.L.C., Greenbelt Transport, Sardo & Sons Warehousing Inc., Sentinel Transportation L.L.C., Southern Towing Co. and Transplace Chemical Logistics. Responsible Care partners make CEO-level commitments to uphold the program's elements, including a pledge to improve chemical facilities, processes and products.

The ACC also recently announced that the Chemical Activity Barometer (CAB) in May reached its highest peak since February 2008 and posted its highest year-over-year gain since September 2010.

Considered a leading economic indicator, the CAB is derived from a composite index of chemical industry activity based on production, equity and product prices, inventories and other factors. Measured against a three-month moving average, the CAB in May realized a 0.8 percent gain over April's mark and a 4.1 percent increase over May 2013's level.

The data reflects upward revisions for the five months previous to May, suggesting more than just a rebound from the harsh winter months, ACC officials said in a press release.