SULFURIC ACID: Output of largest volume commodity chemical has averaged 3.4% annual growth since 1923

Production of sulfuric acid boasted almost uninterrupted growth until the early 1980s when it dipped by 25% within two years. Since then, it has posted a 2.8% annual growth rate to move into new high ground.

CAUSTIC SODA: Strong growth until 20 years ago, production flat since

Output of caustic soda maintained an almost 8% annual growth rate for 30 years ending in the late 1960s. Since then, it has grown, an average, less than 1% annually. The production pattern for chlorine, caustic soda's coproduct, closely follows that shown here.