Arkema: update on the improvement of market conditions in the 2nd quarter 2010

07/01/2010    Press Release

The improvement, month after month, of the economic environment seen in the 1st quarter continued throughout the 2nd quarter. During this quarter, Arkema also benefited from the usual stronger seasonality effect in several businesses such as Fluorochemicals, Specialty Chemicals or Coatings.

Beyond these more favorable market conditions, the ramp-up of the new HFC-125 fluorochemicals production unit in China, the development of products for new energy markets, the successful integration of the acrylic assets acquired from Dow in North America and the benefits from cost saving initiatives should enable Arkema to achieve, in the 2nd quarter 2010, sales and EBITDA significantly above the 1st quarter 2010, which already showed a strong recovery of the financial performance. The 2nd quarter would thus be the best quarter since Arkema’s spin-off. 

The Group will release its 2nd quarter results on August 3rd, 2010.

A global chemical company, Arkema consists of three businesses: Vinyl Products, Industrial Chemicals, and Performance Products. Arkema reported sales of 4.4 billion euros in 2009. Arkema has 13,800 employees in over 40 countries and seven research centers located in France, the United States and Japan. With internationally recognized brands, Arkema holds leadership positions in its principal markets.