The abundance of U.S. shale natural gas is expected to reduce expenses and increase domestic production for the chemicals industry, according to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers. "Not only could the abundance of [natural gas liquids] help drive reduced pricing for derivative products, it could also potentially drive domestic re-shoring activity and possibly bring about a favorable shift in the U.S. balance of trade as ethylene capacity comes online," said Anthony J. Scamuffa, head of U.S. chemicals at PwC.