U.S. chemical manufacturers’ overall level of activity improved in the first quarter, but is expected to deteriorate through mid-2025, according to companies participating in ACC’s quarterly Chemical Manufacturing Economic Sentiment Index survey. ACC’s index, based on companies’ assessment of their activity level overall (e.g., sales, production, output) rose in Q1 despite the fact that chemical manufacturers reported weak demand in major customer markets and challenging economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad. The majority of companies described major customer market demand as having flattened or deteriorated in Q4. The volume of new orders index rose in Q1, with an increase in domestic orders offset by a decline in foreign orders. The outlook deteriorated sharply and across a broad set of indicators, however.