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POWDER COATING, June 2018 53 Quarter ends on good note for US specialty chemicals W A S H I N G T O N , D . C . — T h e American Chemistry Council (ACC) reports that US specialty chemicals market volumes ended the first quarter on a good note, increasing 0.4 percent in March after a 0.3 percent gain in February and a 0.1 percent gain in Jan- uary. All changes in the data are re- ported on a three-month moving aver- age (3MMA) basis. Of the 28 specialty chemical segments monitored, 18 expanded in March, nine markets experienced decline, and one featured no change. During March, large market volume gains (1.0 percent and over) occurred in cosmetic chemicals, foundry chemicals, and oil- field chemicals. The overall specialty chemicals volume index was up 4.2 percent on a year- over-year 3MMA basis. The index stood at 111.6 percent of its average 2012 levels. This is equivalent to 7.69 billion pounds (3.49 million metric tons). On a year-over-year basis, there were gains among 21 market and func- tional specialty chemical segments. Compared to last year, volumes were down in seven segments. US primary aluminum production rate surveyed ARLINGTON, Va.—Based on Alu- minum Association surveys, the annual rate of US primary aluminum produc- tion totaled 834,225 metric tons (tonnes) during March 2018, an in- crease of 12.8 percent over the March 2017 annual rate of 739,549 tonnes. Compared to the previous month, the annual rate of production rose 4.8 per- cent over the February 2018 annual rate of 796,182 tonnes. The year‐to‐ date production rate through March 2018 totaled 802,870 tonnes, up 8.9 percent over the year‐to‐date 2017 rate of 737,150 tonnes. Actual production for the month of March 2018 totaled 70,852 tonnes. Participating compa- nies account for 100 percent of US pri- mary aluminum production during March 2018. Primary metals leading index analyzed RESTON, Va.—The primary metals leading index increased to 170.0 in March from an upwardly revised 169.7 i n F e b r u a r y , a n d i t s 6 - m o n t h smoothed growth rate decreased to 4.2 percent in March from an upwardly re- vised 4.3 percent in February. Never- theless, the primary metals leading index 6-month smoothed growth rate has been above the +1.0 percent thresh- old since April 2016, which could sug- gest near-term strength in primary metals industry activity. Usually, a growth rate above +1.0 percent signals an increase in metals activity, and a growth rate below -1.0 percent indi- cates a downturn in activity. From April 2016 through April 2017, the US nonferrous metal products in- ventories growth rate recorded a run of consecutive negative growth rates. May, June, and July 2017 were a pause in the trend, but negative growth rates resumed August through December. During that time, inventory decreases indicated increased consumption in nonferrous metal products. In March 2018, the primary aluminum 6-month smoothed growth rate ended an eigh- teen-month period of positive double digit growth. Also in March 2018, the primary copper 6-month smoothed growth rate ended a sixteen month pe- riod of positive double digit growth. The steel scrap 6-month smoothed growth rate had double digit positive growth rates November 2016 through September 2017, paused in October and November 2017, and resumed double digit growth rates in December 2017 through March 2018. The March leading index should be considered preliminary because only six of its eight indicators were available, and the leading index will be subject to revision when the other components are added next month. Global coating equipment market trends analyzed to 2024 PUNE, India—The global coating equipment market accounted for $14.70 billion in 2016 and is projected to grow at a compound average growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0 percent during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024. This is according to Global Coating Equipment Market By Type {Liquid Coating Equip- ment (Conventional Spray Guns, Airless Spray Gun, Airless Air-Assisted Gun, Electrostatic Spray Gun, Hot Spray, Roller Coating, Curtain Coating, Dip Coating), Powder Coating Equipment, Specialty Coating Equipment}; By Appli- cation (Automotive & Transportation, Aerospace, Industrial, Building & Con- struction, Others) – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024, a report from Data Bridge Market Research, an industrial market research firm. Major market drivers are the rapid industrialization across the Asia-Pacific region and the growing construction sector due to in- creasing population and urbanization. The market is restrained by the high cost of coating equipment as well as fluctuating raw material prices. Manufacturing sector's economic activity continues to expand TEMPE, Ariz.—Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in April, and the overall economy grew for the 108th consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business. The report is based on data compiled from purchasing and supply executives nationwide. The April PMI registered 57.3 percent, a decrease of 2 percentage points from the March reading of 59.3 percent. The New Orders Index registered 61.2 percent, a decrease from the March reading of 61.9 percent. The Produc- tion Index registered 57.2 percent, a decrease compared to the March read- ing of 61 percent. The Employment Index registered 54.2 percent, a de- crease of 3.1 percentage points from the March reading of 57.3 percent. Comments from the panel reflect con- tinued expanding business strength. Demand remains strong, but the na- tion's employment resources and sup- ply chains continue to struggle. Manufacturing expanded in April as the PMI registered 57.3 percent, a de- crease of 2 percentage points from the March reading of 59.3 percent. "This indicates strong growth in manufactur- ing for the 20th consecutive month, led UPDATE: Markets