Crompton polymer unit posts increased sales, earnings for quarter

GREENWICH, Conn. (Oct. 26)—Crompton Corp.´s polymer business—consisting primarily of synthetic rubber and polyurethane materials producer Uniroyal Chemical—reported 13-percent growth during the third quarter to $82 million on higher volumes and increased prices. Operating profits of $17.3 million were 8 percent above the third quarter of 1999 as increased prices partially offset higher raw material and energy costs. For the nine months ended Sept. 30, polymer sales were up 8.1 percent to $249.4 million, but operating profits fell 9.7 percent to $55.9 million. Polymer processing equipment sales of $82.5 million by Crompton´s Davis-Standard unit were up 34 percent from the third quarter of 1999 due primarily to greater unit volume.