Global chemical production increased by 3.9% comparedto year-ago levels in Q2 2015. The low oil price remainsimportant while healthy demand from key chemicalconsuming sectors will also support output growth. Byregion, the US will still benefit from shale gas whileChinese production is not as strong as it seems. Overall,we expect global chemical output to increase by 3½% in2015 and 4% in 2016.