Crompton reports rubber, urethanes additives, polymers sales down

GREENWICH, Conn. (July 24)—Crompton Corp. reported a 50-percent gain in second-quarter earnings before extraordinary items, but said sales of rubber and urethane additives as well as polymers were all down 7 to 8 percent. Second-quarter sales of $689.7 million were $34.3 million or 5 percent below the prior year. Rubber additives sales fell 7 percent because of lower unit volume and prices, Crompton said, while urethane additives sales were down 8 percent primarily due to the loss of some low margin business on the basis of price. Polymers sales of $72.5 million were down 8 percent as prices and unit volume fell 5 and 3 percent, respectively. EPDM sales declined 18 percent as weak global demand continues to keep unit volume and selling prices below prior year levels. Urethane polymer sales rose 6 percent due mainly to continued penetration of the golf ball market.