Polymer output recouped much of 1982's losses

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Accounting for the sharp earnings gains of the past few quarters, chemical company chief executives in many cases have been giving much of the credit to strong performance by their polymer business lines. Since the chemical industry recovery began, in fact, analysts have pointed to plastics and fibers as the leading elements in the rebound. Now C&EN's survey of polymer production in 1983 provides statistical proof of that characterization. Last year, polymer output recovered sharply. Production of all types of plastics increased 16% after a 7.1% drop in 1982. Production of synthetic fibers shot up 17% after plummeting 19% the year before. And even output of synthetic rubber, the low-energy performer of the polymers sector, rose a solid 8.1% following a 9.5% decline in the 1982 slump. Overall, polymer production in the U.S. climbed almost 16% last year. The year before, it had fallen 9.9%. As a result, polymer production regained much of the ground ...