35.3% of imported chemical sector, says Abiquim

The participation of imports in the market of chemical products reached the highest level since 1990, announced the Brazilian chemical industry Association (Abiquim).
In the 12 months prior to September, imports accounted for 35.3% of the sector.
In the period, production of chemicals for industrial use fell 3.3 percent, while the domestic demand, as measured by the apparent national consumption (CAN), grew up around 2%. Exports declined 6.3% and the imported volume surged to 9.2%.
From January to September, the national demand for chemicals has increased 0.9% compared to the same period in 2013.
The production of chemicals, in turn, fell 3.18 percent in the third quarter compared to the same period in 2013.
Domestic sales in the sector also recorded decrease, from 2.55% last month compared to August.
In September, production retreated 8.83% compared with the previous month. The Abiquim highlights the desaquecido market in several important sectors and the shutdown of the petrochemical pole of Maua, administered by Braskem, as reasons for the drop in production in September.
According to the Association, the lack of water in Sao Paulo also had impacts "isolated", causing reduction of charges in the region.
The capacity utilisation of the chemical industry ranked 77% last month, seven percentage points below the registered in August and six points below presented in September 2013.
From January to September, the average capacity utilisation was at 79%, three points below the level registered in the first nine months last year.