Emerging markets lift Rohm and Haas results
US-based chemical company Rohm and Haas Company has reported fourth quarter sales of $2,026 million, a 2% increase compared with the same period in 2005. Earnings were $167 million in the quarter compared with $128 million in the prior year period.
Sales in the Coatings segment were $596 million, an increase of 6% over fourth quarter 2005. This was attributed to higher selling prices, higher demand from emerging markets and the impact of favourable currency levels. Monomer sales remained flat at $454 million.
Sales of $445 million for the Performance Chemicals sector were up 2% over the fourth quarter of 2005, having been positively impacted by favourable currencies and higher selling prices, which were partially offset by lower volumes.
Sales in Plastics Additives were down 5% while sales for Adhesives and Sealants were $176 million, an increase of 2% percent over the same period last year.
North American sales of $993 million were down 6% compared with the prior year period while Asia-Pacific sales of $427 million increased 10%. Latin American sales of $96 million were up 14%.
Sales for the full year were $8,230 million, a 4% increase over the prior year, while earnings were $755 million compared with $616 million.
