US chemical giant reports net loss for Q4 2011 / Plastics capacity use down / Brighter outlook

摘要

Poor capacity use, in particular for plastics, was a driving factor behind the net loss of USD 20m (EUR 15m) reported by Dow Chemical (Midland, Michigan / USA; www.dow.com) for Q4 2011. The 9% drop in the operating rate was blamed on weak demand and destocking, especially at European customers. Selling prices rose 5 %, "more than offsetting" a USD 476m increase in feedstock and energy costs. Sales rose 2% to USD 14.1 bn. Growth was led by China, which offset declines of 2% in the US and 5% in western Europe. Adjusted EBITDA totalled USD 1.4 bn or USD 1.6 bn.