Crompton´s quarterly earnings down

GREENWICH, Conn. (July 28)—Increased raw materials and energy costs ate into Crompton Corp.´s second quarter earnings, leaving them 5 percent shy of the adjusted 1999 performance. In particular, Crompton said higher production costs for EPDM could not be offset by increased selling prices, reducing the company´s polymer business unit´s operating earnings by 18 percnent, and lower selling prices and increased production costs resulted in a 23-percent drop in operating profits by the polymer additives unit, which includes rubber and urethanes chemicals. Overall, Crompton reported second quarter operating profit of $97.8 million on sales of $802.9 million. The results are adjusted to reflect the September 1999 merger of Crompton & Knowles Corp. and Witco Corp.