China Is Slowing But Still Offers Strongest Growth Prospects

Chemical demand growth in China has fallen below the double-digit percentage pace it has sustained over the last few years, but producers and analysts are confident that a feared “hard landing” can be avoided. China still offers the industry’s best growth prospects, they say. Year-over-year chemical production growth fell below 10% in September 2011 for the first time in two years, and it has continued to moderate through early 2012.