Chemical buyers in the CPI will notice some changes this month in Purchasing's CPI Edition transaction price survey and business conditions survey results.

To improve the accuracy and value of pricing data reported for various chemical markets, Purchasing has simplified its surveys to focus on essential chemical markets. Some chemicals, such as acrylic acid, antimony oxide, methyl methacrylate and maleic anhydride, have been dropped from the monthly pricing survey, while other chemicals and resins have been added, including nylon 6/6, bottle-grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET), injection-molding acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and others.

Purchasing's CPI Edition chemical transaction prices are the only chemical price data based on actual average market prices—that is, what buyers say they are paying for the materials they buy. Buyers and suppliers alike use the data to gauge market trends, and some even index contracts to pricing fluctuations reported in Purchasing Magazine.

This month's chemical transaction prices are available online at www.purchasing.com. As you familiarize yourself with the new format, please do not hesitate to contact me with your questions and comments.