Chemical manufacturers’ assessment of their own company’s activity level (e.g., sales, production, output) deteriorated further over the third quarter, according to findings from ACC’s Chemical Manufacturing Economic Sentiment Index (ESI). Chemical manufacturers’ sentiment around the state of the economy – US and global – was negative in Q3 and their outlook is for further deterioration over the coming six months. Sentiment around major customer market demand was also negative in Q3. Chemical manufacturers expect demand to recover and their own company’s activity levels to improve over the short-term outlook period. Short-term outlook readings for new orders and production levels were both positive with each reading rising solidly.