Chemical & Engineering News,
June 24, 1996

Copyright © 1996 by the American Chemical Society.

Production growth sputtered in most sectors

Following the impressive gains of 1994, production of chemicals in 1995 grew at a tempered pace. Most sectors fulfilled the predictions of a "soft landing" from the double-digit growth of 1994, but others slid.

Production by the U.S. chemical industry rose 1% in 1995, on the heels of the 5% gain in 1994, according to the Federal Reserve Board's index of production for chemicals and allied products. The index for chemicals and synthetic materials - basic industrial chemicals plus polymers - rose 2% in 1995 after an 8% rise in 1994. C&EN's tally of the 50 largest volume chemicals shows less softening, from 7.6% growth in 1994 to 5.0% growth in 1995.

Nearly every chemical category posted gains on the board's production index in 1995. Growth ranged from 1% for soaps and toiletries and paints to 6% for drugs and medicines and 5% for organic chemicals. Declines hit rubber and plastic products, down 2%, and inorganic pigments, down 2% as well.

Although the board's production index for inorganic chemicals - "basic chemicals" - shows a 3% decline in production in 1995, inorganics in C&EN's tally of 50 largest volume chemicals increased 4.5% overall. Sulfuric acid production gained 6% to reach nearly 48million tons, and ammonia and chlorine output each rose 3%.

Production of organic chemicals showed mixed results in 1995, with some organics, such as acetic acid and maleic anhydride, logging double-digit gains of 18% and 16%, respectively. Meanwhile, ethylene glycol output fell 14% on the heels of 1994's 17% gain, and methanol production dropped 7% after a 16% gain in 1994.

For chlorofluorocarbons, 1995 was the last year of legal U.S. production for U.S. use under the Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer. CFC-22 production fell 14% and CFC-12 production dropped 57%. Output of perchloroethylene, which is a feedstock for the CFC replacement hydrofluorocarbon-134a, rose 5% after last year's 9% drop.

Output of synthetic materials rose 3%, according to the board. The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) tally shows a different story, with many declines. Production of urea, melamine, and phenolic resins declined 5%, 3%, and 1%, respectively. Meanwhile, polyvinyl chloride production grew 5% and nylon, 8%, according to SPI.

Fiber production stalled in 1995; neither noncellulosic nor cellulosic fibers showed growth. Acrylic and nylon production fell 2% and 1%, respectively. Polyester and olefin registered less than 1% growth.

Production of most minerals increased in 1995, with sodium carbonate up 8%, lime up 7%, and potash up 6%. Output of phosphate rock, the largest volume up mineral, was up 6%.

The architectural uses sector maintained growth for paints and coatings, output of which was up 2% over 1994. Architectural uses rose 5%, original equipment manufacture use held steady, and "special purpose" use dipped 4%.

According to the Fertilizer Institute, combined U.S. consumption of nitrogen, phosphates, and potash fertilizers fell 5%, while production increased for most products. Only production of ammonium nitrate, monoammonium phosphate, and concentrated superphosphate fell.

For 1994, the latest year for which data are available, pesticide production rose 5% overall, reaching 1.3 billion lb. But although herbicides - bolstered by no-till farming - increased 16%, insecticides - which had unusually high production in 1993 - fell 18%.

Market analysts are expecting overall production growth to continue through 1996. This year will bring "pretty much more of the same," says Allen J. Lenz, director of economics at the Chemical Manufacturers Association. "I don't see any reason to expect greater increases than in 1995."

TOP 50 CHEMICALS: Organics outpaced inorganics as production of chemicals rose overall

Rank
Billions of lb
19951994(a) 1995 1994
1 1 Sulfuric acid 95.36 89.63
2 2 Nitrogen 68.04 63.91
3 3 Oxygen 53.48 50.08
4 4 Ethylene 46.97 44.60
5 5 Lime(b) 41.23 38.37
6 6 Ammonia 35.60 34.51
7 7 Phosphoric acid 26.19 25.58
8 8 Sodium hydroxide 26.19 25.11
9 10 Propylene 25.69 23.94
10 9 Chlorine 25.09 24.37
11 11 Sodium carbonate(c) 22.28 20.56
12 18 Methyl tert-butyl ether 17.62 13.61
13 14 Ethylene dichloride 17.26 16.76
14 12 Nitric acid 17.24 17.22
15 13 Ammonium nitrate(d) 15.99 17.03
16 16 Benzene 15.97 15.27
17 15 Urea(e) 15.59 15.90
18 17 Vinyl chloride 14.98 13.85
19 22 Ethylbenzene 13.66 10.76
20 21 Styrene 11.39 11.29
21 19 Methanol 11.29 12.18
22 20 Carbon dioxide(f) 10.89 11.80
23 23 Xylene 9.37 9.06
24 24 Formaldehyde(g) 8.11 8.17
25 25 Terephthalic acid(h) 7.95 7.58
26 27 Ethylene oxide 7.62 7.24
27 26 Hydrochloric acid 7.33 7.47
28 28 Toluene(i) 6.73 6.75
29 29 p-Xylene 6.34 6.26
30 31 Cumene 5.63 5.22
31 32 Ammonium sulfate 5.24 5.18
32 30 Ethylene glycol 5.23 6.09
33 33 Acetic acid 4.68 3.98
34 34 Phenol(j) 4.16 3.92
35 35 Propylene oxide 4.00 3.70
36 36 Butadiene(k) 3.68 3.38
37 37 Carbon black 3.32 3.25
38 39 Isobutylene 3.23 3.08
39 38 Potash(l) 3.22 3.08
40 41 Acrylonitrile 3.21 3.03
41 40 Vinyl acetate 2.89 3.04
42 42 Titanium dioxide 2.77 2.76
43 43 Acetone 2.76 2.66
44 45 Butyraldehyde 2.68 2.19
45 44 Aluminum sulfate 2.41 2.21
46 46 Sodium silicate 2.25 2.01
47 47 Cyclohexane 2.13 1.96
48 48 Adipic acid 1.80 1.80
49 - Nitrobenzene 1.65 1.44
50 49 Bisphenol A 1.62 1.70
TOTAL ORGANICS
 285.89 270.40
TOTAL INORGANICS
 464.10 444.15
GRAND TOTAL
 749.99 714.55

a Revised from 1994 rankings. b Except refractory dolomite. c Natural and synthetic. d Original solution. e 100% basis. f Liquid and solid only. g 37% by weight. h Includes both acid and ester without double counting. i All grades. j Synthetic only. k Rubber grade. lK2)O basis.

PRODUCTION: Most chemicals followed total manufacturing trend with slow growth in 1995

% annual change
Industrial production indexes,1987=100 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1994-95 1985-95
Total index 94.4 95.3 100.0 104.4 106.0 106.0 104.2 107.7 111.5 118.1 120.5 2% 2%
Manufacturing, total 91.6 94.3 100.0 104.7 106.4 106.1 103.8 108.2 112.3 119.7 121.6 2 3
Nondurable manufacturing 91.5 94.9 100.0 102.3 103.7 104.4 103.4 106.7 108.6 113.0 112.3 -1 2
Chemicals & products 91.4 94.6 100.0 106.0 109.2 111.8 110.5 114.4 115.4 121.3 123.0 1 3
Chemicals & synthetic materials 92.2 93.9 100.0 107.5 112.2 114.5 110.0 113.5 111.0 119.9 122.3 2 3
Basic chemicals 96.1 95.1 100.0 104.7 108.4 118.9 114.8 117.6 114.2 117.7 113.7 -3 2
Alkalies & chlorine 93.6 92.1 100.0 104.8 107.3 107.2 104.2 105.4 108.1 114.1 117.4 3 2
Inorganic pigments 95.1 96.2 100.0 111.4 114.0 109.0 101.3 114.2 113.4 119.6 117.6 -2 2
Inorganic chemicals, nec(a) 97.2 94.7 100.0 103.5 107.7 123.8 119.2 122.4 115.0 116.0 109.0 -6 1
Industrial organic chemicals 94.1 95.0 100.0 111.6 117.8 119.4 113.7 113.8 108.9 120.2 126.2 5 3
Synthetic materials(b) 86.9 91.6 100.0 104.3 107.7 105.8 102.4 110.4 111.7 121.6 124.9 3 4
Plastic materials 84.1 88.2 100.0 104.0 106.0 106.7 101.2 112.0 110.2 120.0 122.9 2 4
Synthetic fibers 86.6 93.7 100.0 103.5 110.5 102.8 102.7 105.9 110.7 120.4 122.3 2 4
Chemical products 90.2 95.9 100.0 104.7 106.3 108.8 110.4 114.8 118.2 121.7 126.3 4 3
Drugs & medicines 88.5 96.7 100.0 104.9 108.6 112.6 118.9 127.4 128.2 134.4 142.1 6 5
Soaps & toiletries 91.3 96.7 100.0 106.4 107.3 109.4 108.1 109.4 116.3 115.3 116.1 1 2
Paints 95.7 97.5 100.0 103.1 98.9 97.1 93.7 96.0 100.4 105.1 106.4 1 1
Agricultural chemicals 96.1 88.5 100.0 106.5 115.3 119.3 116.1 118.8 119.3 128.0 132.2 3 3
Petroleum products 92.6 98.9 100.0 101.9 102.3 103.3 101.7 102.6 105.7 106.7 109.6 3 2
Rubber & plastic products 85.8 90.8 100.0 102.6 106.0 107.2 105.5 116.2 123.9 135.9 133.7 -2 5

a Not elsewhere classified. b Includes synthetic rubber. Source: Federal Reserve Board

ORGANIC CHEMICALS: Mixed results, but production of most grew in 1995

Production
% annual change
Millions of lb unless
otherwise noted		 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1994-95 1985-95
Acetic acid, synthetic 2,897 2,728 3,246 3,159 3,294 3,751 3,615 3,594 3,327 3,984 4,683 18% 5%
Acetone 1,788 1,910 1,846 2,303 2,524 2,329 2,347 2,435 2,430 2,664 2,761 4 4
Acrylonitrile 2,346 2,349 2,182 2,452 2,609 2,676 2,647 2,829 2,489 3,026 3,207 6 3
Aniline 716 824 829 1,029 1,016 989 961 1,009 991 1,263 1,391 10 7
Benzene, mg(a,b) 1,283 1,362 1,575 1,608 1,631 1,699 1,569 1,636 1,677 2,074 2,168 5 5
Bisphenol A 949 956 1,000 1,340 1,241 1,149 1,219 1,197 1,286 1,702 1,623 -5 6
1,3-Butadiene(c) 2,340 2,546 2,931 3,169 3,121 3,088 3,054 3,232 3,117 3,376 3,682 9 5
1-Butanol 716 881 1,155 1,194 1,751 1,269 1,320 1,279 1,337 1,477 1,493 1 8
Caprolactam 1,089 1,109 1,156 1,261 1,307 1,379 1,284 1,377 1,433 1,510 1,575 4 4
Chloroform 275 422 462 524 588 484 505 na 476 565 na - -
Cumene 3,345 3,745 4,105 4,455 4,426 4,311 4,168 4,666 4,393 5,217 5,625 8 5
Cyclohexane 1,657 2,070 2,276 2,297 2,273 2,460 2,307 2,242 2,000 1,962 2,134 9 3
Dioctyl phthalate 275 296 343 344 306 310 270 270 254 259 na - -
Ethanol, synthetic 649 529 574 562 549 546 526 698 678 648 626 -3 0
Ethanolamines(d) 537 543 627 608 667 727 658 694 706 754 814 8 4
Ethylbenzene 7,386 9,020 9,346 9,929 9,235 8,369 8,871 11,108 9,336 10,758 13,656 27 6
Ethylene 29,847 32,859 34,951 37,204 34,988 36,467 39,955 40,924 40,019 44,602 46,966 5 5
Ethylene dichloride 12,101 12,940 12,197 13,028 13,383 13,849 13,713 15,150 17,947 16,762 17,263 3 4
Ethylene glycol 4,178 4,771 5,183 5,517 5,461 5,070 4,809 5,128 5,200 6,090 5,230 -14 2
Ethylene oxide 5,430 5,430 4,785 5,953 5,031 5,355 5,248 5,829 5,330 7,238 7,621 5 3
2-Ethylhexanol 536 571 662 743 612 650 657 692 695 732 743 1 3
Formaldehyde, 37%(e) 5,606 5,549 5,733 6,280 5,893 6,720 6,612 8,278 8,189 8,165 8,110 -1 4
Isobutylene na 1,124 1,035 1,244 1,193 1,212 972 952 1,073 3,078 3,235 5 12
Isopropyl alcohol 1,235 1,301 1,371 1,389 1,474 1,456 1,342 1,463 1,272 1,451 1,424 -2 1
Maleic anhydride 394 359 382 448 475 424 381 436 358 478 554 16 3
Methanol, synthetic 5,003 7,205 7,537 8,142 8,167 8,344 8,704 8,082 10,506 12,176 11,292 -7 8
Methyl tert-butyl ether 1,891 3,375 3,514 5,680 8,227 8,884 9,570 10,877 12,900 13,610 17,620 29 25
Methyl chloride 410 605 373 597 461 772 916 966 1,053 999 1,065 7 10
Methyl ethyl ketone 537 600 672 482 450 465 513 479 539 600 583 -3 1
Methyl methacrylate 858 943 1,029 1,100 1,161 1,182 1,102 1,208 1,148 1,318 1,372 4 5
Methylchloroform 869 652 694 724 783 803 644 692 452 335 na - -
Methylene chloride 467 566 516 504 482 461 389 362 354 403 na - -
Perchloroethylene 678 414 473 498 481 372 239 245 271 247 260 5 -9
Phenol, synthetic(f) 2,841 3,115 3,351 3,562 3,806 3,538 3,597 3,707 3,191 3,920 4,163 6 4
Phthalic anhydride 820 863 1,035 999 917 940 587 898 853 959 994 4 2
Propylene(g) 14,887 16,522 19,019 21,224 20,571 21,846 21,549 23,421 21,470 23,943 25,691 7 6
Propylene glycol 500 573 747 840 805 754 666 509 846 933 1,019 9 7
Styrene 7,622 7,888 8,014 8,984 8,337 8,017 8,114 9,000 9,594 11,294 11,386 1 4
Terephthalic acid, dimethyl ester(h) 6,490 6,257 7,601 10,234 8,426 7,773 7,640 5,637 7,105 7,575 7,950 5 2
Toluene, mg(a,i) 698 611 967 892 806 861 873 833 880 931 927 0 3
Urea 13,356 12,528 14,866 15,828 16,008 16,432 16,266 17,532 16,572 15,904 15,592 -2 2
Vinyl acetate 2,112 1,710 1,813 2,561 2,552 2,659 2,732 2,657 2,773 3,036 2,893 -5 3
Vinyl chloride 9,463 8,439 8,402 9,058 10,135 10,623 11,142 11,307 14,220 13,850 14,976 8 5
o-Xylene 675 788 940 971 983 943 767 918 831 915 1,025 12 4
p-Xylene 4,779 5,035 5,155 5,601 5,344 5,200 5,350 5,656 5,791 6,255 6,342 1 3

Note: As of Oct. 1, 1996, the International Trade Commission will no longer collect or publish annual synthetic organic chemicals data. a Tar distillers and coke-oven operators not included. b Specification grades. c Rubber grade. d Mono-, di-, and triethanolamines. e By weight. f Does not include data for coke ovens and gas-retort ovens. g All grades. h Includes both acid and dimethyl ester (DMT) without double counting. i All grades, includes material used in blending motor fuel. mg=millions of gallons. na=not available.Sources: International Trade Commission, C&EN estimates

INORGANIC CHEMICALS: Output of several products up in another mostly upbeat year

Production
% annual change
1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1994-95 1985-95
Aluminum sulfate(b) 1,268 1,222 1,227 1,237 1,243 1,227 1,185 1,047 1,050 1,107 1,204 9% -1%
Ammonia, 100%(c,d) 17,319 14,487 16,098 16,821 16,468 17,003 17,169 17,924 16,858 17,256 17,801 3 0
Ammonium nitrate, 100%(e) 6,776 6,091 6,547 7,504 7,871 7,713 7,819 7,981 8,255 8,517 7,993 -6 2
Ammonium sulfate, 100%(f) 2,093 2,080 2,189 2,333 2,384 2,519 2,243 2,391 2,424 2,588 2,619 1 2
Chlorine(g) 10,402 10,436 11,078 11,257 11,413 11,809 11,421 11,757 11,957 12,187 12,544 3 2
Hydrochloric acid, 100%(h) 2,807 2,413 2,996 3,228 3,268 3,140 3,301 3,610 3,492 3,734 3,663 -2 3
Hydrogen, bcf, 100%(i,j) 121 136 173 177 146 148 153 162 213 254 238 -6 7
Hydrogen peroxide, 100%(k) 144 152 153 168 204 238 254 280 301 318 na - -
Nitric acid, 100%(k) 7,631 6,734 7,225 7,991 8,349 7,932 7,927 8,136 8,254 8,611 8,621 0 1
Nitrogen gas, bcf, 100%(i,l) 665 677 685 722 744 749 770 818 796 882 939 6 4
Oxygen, bcf, 100%(i,l) 393 383 405 452 460 462 470 525 547 605 646 7 5
Phosphoric acid, 100% P2)O5) 10,607 9,578 10,599 11,659 11,737 12,035 12,109 12,826 11,515 12,792 13,096 2 2
Phosphorus(m) 359 364 344 343 353 346 306 271 258 255 na - -
Sodium chlorate, 100% 259 267 289 267 290 327 449 555 539 559 612 9 9
Sodium hydroxide, 100% 10,811 10,691 11,553 10,533 11,470 12,030 11,713 12,244 12,466 12,555 13,094 4 2
Sodium silicate(n) 692 791 952 812 833 816 870 924 1,006 1,007 1,125 12 5
Sodium sulfate, 100%(o) 1,203 837 799 819 755 786 794 609 592 527 467 -11 -9
Sulfuric acid, 100%(p) 39,890 35,993 39,256 42,580 43,301 44,337 43,466 44,524 39,348 44,813 47,681 6 2
Titanium dioxide, 100%(q) 860 931 968 1,022 1,101 1,077 1,095 1,253 1,279 1,380 1,383 0 5

MINERALS: Gains continued in 1995, phosphate rock contributed to the rise

Production
% annual change
Thousands of Tons 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1994-95 1985-95
Bromine, sold or used(b) 160 155 168 180 193 195 187 188 195 215 233 8% 4%
Calcium chloride, production(c) 584 419 462 508 471 518 466 400 484 638 na - -
Lime, production(d) 15,690 14,474 15,733 17,052 17,152 17,452 17,270(e) 17,857 18,664 19,184 20,617 7 3
Lithium, consumption(e,f) 2.5 2.6 2.6 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.9 2.5 2.5 2.8 2.9 4 1
Phosphate rock
Production 56,035 44,445 45,144 50,032 54,913 51,084 53,016 51,770 39,125 45,305 47,948 6 -2
Exports 10,071 8,651 9,319 8,920 8,644 6,876 5,602 4,104 3,525 3,086 3,042 -1 -11
Potash(K2)O equivalent)(g)
Production 1,429 1,325 1,391 1,677 1,758 1,888 1,928 1,879 1,664 1,542 1,641 6 1
Imports 5,063 4,643 4,490 4,648 3,758 4,590 4,990 4,683 4,809 5,321 5,406 2 1
Apparent consumption(h) 5,893 5,338 5,609 5,803 4,960 6,011 6,186 5,898 5,988 6,432 6,345 -1 1
Sodium carbonate, production(i) 8,511 8,511 8,438 8,891 9,632 9,915 10,093 9,926 10,338 10,278 11,138 8 3
Sulfur, production(j) 12,797 12,221 11,617 11,845 12,778 12,743 11,928 11,753 12,080 12,677 13,228 4 0
Recovered elemental & Frasch 11,381 10,868 10,321 10,602 11,462 11,312 10,488 10,326 10,548 11,156 11,574 4 0
Other production 1,416 1,354 1,296 1,243 1,316 1,431 1,440 1,427 1,532 1,521 1,653 9 2
Apparent consumption(h) 13,192 11,669 12,481 14,012 13,983 14,942 14,865 14,717 13,803 13,669 14,550 6 1

a Preliminary data, except those for phosphate rock. b Elemental bromine sold as such or used in preparation of bromine compounds by primary producers. c 100% CaCl2) equivalent. d Sold or used by producers for commercial or captive use. Produced from limestone and dolomite, does not include amount regenerated by paper industry; excludes Puerto Rican production. e Estimated. f Lithium content basis. g Includes muriate and sulfate of potash, potassium magnesium sulfate, and parent salts; excludes other chemical compounds containing potassium. h Calculated from shipments plus imports minus exports. i Natural and synthetic until 1986, natural only from 1987. j Sulfur content basis. na=not available.Sources: Bureau of Mines, Bureau of the Census, U.S. Geological Survey

PLASTICS: Thermosets stalled, but some thermoplastics made gains last year

Production
% annual change
Millions of lb 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1994-95 1985-95
THERMOSETTING RESINS
Epoxy(b) 385 398 433 486 509 499 497 457 512 601 632 5% 5%
Melamine 192 173 212 207 222 202 196 232 270 300 290 -3 4
Phenolic(c,d) 2,621 2,735 2,869 3,066 2,879 2,946 2,658 2,923 3,078 3,229 3,204 -1 2
Polyester(e) 1,223 1,271 1,367 1,404 1,319 1,221 1,075 1,175 1,264 1,468 1,577 7 3
Urea 1,210 1,271 1,382 1,425 1,477 1,496 1,483 1,548 1,744 1,914 1,816 -5 4
TOTAL 5,631 5,848 6,263 6,588 6,408 6,364 5,909 6,335 6,868 7,512 7,519 0% 3%
THERMOPLASTIC RESINS
Polyethylene
Low density(f) 8,889 8,903 9,599 10,397 9,695 11,148 11,582 11,917 12,067 12,600 12,886 2% 4%
High density(g) 6,671 7,182 7,995 8,400 8,102 8,337 9,213 9,808 9,941 11,117 11,211 1 5
Polypropylene(h) 5,139 5,812 6,647 7,274 7,238 8,310 8,330 8,421 8,629 9,539 10,890 nc nc
Styrene polymers
Polystyrene 4,054 4,470 4,780 5,187 5,104 5,021 4,954 5,096 5,383 5,848 5,656 -3 3
Styrene-acrylonitrile(i) 87 92 126 148 113 135 109 113 105 138 130 -6 4
Acrylonitrile-butadiene- styrene and other styrene polymers(i,j) 2,036 2,196 2,254 2,418 2,394 2,351 2,287 2,610 2,924 3,230 2,908 -10 4
Polyamide, nylon type 399 465 507 566 569 558 576 668 768 943 1,020 8 10
Polyvinyl chloride & copolymers(i) 6,772 7,256 7,971 8,350 8,478 9,096 9,164 9,989 10,257 11,712 12,295 5 6
Thermoplastic polyester(i) 965 1,175 1,394 1,652 1,630 1,879 2,115 2,413 2,549 3,196 3,785 18 15
TOTAL(k) 35,012 37,551 41,273 44,392 43,323 46,835 48,330 51,035 52,623 58,323 60,781 2% 4%
GRAND TOTAL(k) 40,643 43,399 47,536 50,980 49,731 53,199 54,239 57,370 59,491 65,835 68,300 2% 4%

Note: Totals are for those products listed and exclude some small-volume plastics. a Dry-weight basis unless otherwise specified. b Unmodified. c Includes other tar-acid resins. d Gross-weight basis. e Unsaturated. f Density 0.940 and below. g Density above 0.940. h Data for 1995 include Canada. i Data include Canada from 1994. j Includes styrene-butadiene copolymers and other styrene-based polymers. k Production totals include polypropylene, but annual change figures do not. nc=not comparable. Source: Society of the Plastics Industry

SYNTHETIC RUBBER: Shipments rose 3%, only polychloroprene fell in 1995

Shipments
% annual change
Thousands of metric tons 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1994-95 1985-95
Styrene-butadiene rubber 753 736 847 829 827 791 727 796 817 851 881 4% 2%
Polybutadiene 392 384 414 430 427 431 416 465 473 505 529 5 3
Ethylene-propylene 174 188 205 224 225 208 192 207 227 262 267 2 4
Nitrile-solid 58 64 72 75 72 69 71 74 78 84 84 0 4
Polychloroprene 82 82 81 82 79 79 70 72 70 76 70 -8 -2
Other(a) 297 422 457 399 393 380 362 381 400 408 427 5 4
TOTAL 1,756 1,876 2,076 2,039 2,023 1,958 1,838 1,995 2,065 2,186 2,258 3% 3%

Note: Data include Canada. a Includes butyl styrene-butadiene rubber latex, nitrile latex, polyisoprene, and miscellaneous others. Source: International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers

SYNTHETIC FIBERS: Production stagnated after 1994 gains, acrylic and nylon fell

Production
% annual change
Millions of lb 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1994-95 1985-95
NONCELLULOSIC FIBERS
Acrylic(a) 631 616 592 588 543 506 454 439 433 442 432 -2% -4%
Nylon 2,343 2,514 2,689 2,669 2,740 2,662 2,535 2,556 2,659 2,740 2,703 -1 1
Olefin(b) 1,249 1,393 1,494 1,588 1,639 1,822 1,866 2,002 2,142 2,419 2,428 0 7
Polyester 3,341 3,305 3,541 3,680 3,594 3,195 3,411 3,576 3,557 3,858 3,887 1 2
TOTAL 7,564 7,828 8,316 8,525 8,516 8,185 8,266 8,573 8,791 9,459 9,450 0% 2%
CELLULOSIC FIBERS
Acetate(c) & rayon 558 619 605 614 580 505 486 495 505 498 498 0% -1%
GRAND TOTAL 8,122 8,447 8,921 9,139 9,096 8,690 8,752 9,068 9,296 9,957 9,948 0% 2%

a Includes modacrylic. b Includes olefin yarn and monofilaments and olefin and vinyon staple, tow, and fiberfill. c Includes diacetate and triacetate; excludes production for cigarette filters. Source: Fiber Economics Bureau

PAINTS AND COATINGS: Shipments grew more slowly in 1995, special-purpose coatings slumped

Shipments
 % annual change
Millions of gal 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995(a) 1994-95 1985-95
Architectural 478 498 527 536 538 558 538 576 608 645 678 5% 4%
Product(b) 352 368 340 366 360 339 320 312 357 382 382 0 1
Special purpose 145 135 146 154 179 196 180 173 179 194 186 -4 3
TOTAL 975 1,001 1,013 1,056 1,077 1,093 1,038 1,061 1,144 1,221 1,246 2% 2%

a Calculated from quarterly data. b For original equipment manufacturers. Source: Department of Commerce

AEROSOLS: Output of containers declined 2%, despite gains in food and personal products

Production
 % annual change
Millions of units 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1994-95 1985-95
Personal products 879 952 964 1,100 1,015 1,050 905 990 930 973 1,007 3% 1%
Household products 630 635 640 650 680 680 690 695 738 751 725 -3 1
Automotive & industrial products 342 375 379 440 475 415 450 455 420 438 420 -4 2
Paints & finishes 290 297 307 331 350 350 350 380 390 410 374 -9 3
Insect sprays 190 193 190 190 197 190 200 200 207 200 184 -8 0
Food products 140 136 140 157 175 175 192 190 205 215 252 17 6
Animal products 15 22 22 8 8 8 8 8 6 7 7 0 -7
Miscellaneous 23 18 80 31 12 15 19 71 44 79 34 -57 4
TOTAL 2,509 2,628 2,722 2,907 2,912 2,883 2,814 2,989 2,940 3,073 3,003 -2% 2%

Note: Data include Puerto Rican production. Source: Chemical Specialties Manufacturers Association

CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS: Production plummeted in last year before U.S. ban

Production
 % annual change
Millions of units 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1994-95 1985-95
Chlorodifluoromethane (CFC-22) 235 271 275 333 343 306 314 331 291 306 262 -14% 1%
Dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC-12) 302 322 335 414 392 209 157 163 185 127 55 -57 -16
Trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11) 176 202 198 249 192 135 99 100(a) 72 19(a) na - -

a Preliminary. na=not available. Source: International Trade Commission

PESTICIDE PRODUCTION: Total rose in 1994 on herbicide and nematicide gains

Production
% annual change
Millions of lb 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1994-95 1985-95
Herbicides) 688 647 625 623 676 676 643 657 696 749 868 16% 2%
Insecticides 211 213 204 185 203 208 264 181 194 308 253 -18 2
Nematicides 53(a) 50(a) 66 76 85 112 67(a) 72 71(a) 82 86 5 5
Fungicides 78 75 70 62 193(b) 207(b) 85 na 85 77 72 -6 -1
Plant growth regulators 8 8 5 2(a) 4 5(a) 6(a) 17 11(a) 11(a) 8(a) -27 0
TOTAL(c) 1,074 1,014 982 964 1,183(b) 1,222(b) 1,093 1,054 1,087 1,252 1,319 5% 2%

a Does not include production intended for sale outside the U.S., which is included in annual total. b These seemingly anomalous values have been verified by the source. c Includes miscellaneous other pesticides and, in some cases, production, usually intended for sale outside the U.S., not reported by subcategory. na = not available. Source: American Crop Protection Association

FERTILIZER CONSUMPTION: Reversing 1994 gains, nitrogen led declines in 1995 use

Consumption
% annual change
Thousands of tons 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1994-95 1985-95
Nitrogen (N) 11,493 10,424 10,210 10,512 10,593 11,076 11,287 11,446 11,393 12,643 11,720 -7% 0%
Phosphates (P2)O5)) 4,658 4,178 4,008 4,129 4,117 4,345 4,201 4,218 4,436 4,521 4,417 -2 -1
Potash (K2)O) 5,553 5,053 4,837 4,973 4,838 5,203 5,001 5,042 5,141 5,268 5,123 -3 -1
TOTAL 21,704 19,655 19,055 19,614 19,548 20,624 20,489 20,706 20,970 22,432 21,260 -5% 0%

Note: Years ending June 30. Source: Fertilizer Institute

FERTILIZER PRODUCTION: Most products continued gains in 1995

Consumption
% annual change
Thousands of tons 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1994-95 1985-95
NITROGEN PRODUCTS
Ammonia 16,594 12,565 13,357 14,136 14,052 14,446 13,790 13,309 12,588 14,475 15,670 8% -1%
Ammonium nitrate 3,178 2,250 2,472 2,765 2,703 2,579 2,551 2,487 2,584 2,744 2,643 -4 -2
Ammonium sulfate 2,343 2,058 2,153 2,260 2,327 2,460 2,195 2,342 2,382 2,554 2,579 1 1
Urea 3,975 3,564 4,253 4,501 4,430 4,287 4,241 4,164 3,863 4,614 5,177 12 3
PHOSPHATE PRODUCTS
Diammonium phosphate 10,800 7,492 9,537 11,575 13,160 13,226 13,573 14,119 12,964 14,641 15,722 7% 4%
Monoammonium phosphate 1,641 1,416 1,679 1,818 1,862 2,252 2,227 2,342 2,693 2,869 2,617 -9 5
Concentrated superphosphate 2,570 2,127 2,049 2,032 1,777 1,988 1,914 2,074 1,555 1,757 1,631 -7 -4
Phosphate rock 49,348 36,227 39,330 42,220 47,676 44,269 44,877 45,941 34,800 39,172 42,657 9 -1
Phosphoric acid (P2)O5)) 9,837 8,085 8,903 10,234 10,742 11,036 10,934 11,354 10,503 11,979 12,272 2 2
POTASH PRODUCTS
Potassium chloride 1,713 1,715 1,810 2,243 2,316 2,351 2,387 2,337 1,927 1,845 1,840 0% 1%

Note: Figures are based on Fertilizer Institute surveys and may not represent the entire industry. Source: Fertilizer Institute

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