Second-quarter earnings reports were overshadowed last week by a slew of announced planned divestitures. DuPont is lining up its $7.2-billion performance chemicals unit, which includes titanium dioxide, fluorochemicals, and industrial chemicals, for sale or spin-off (p. 7). Dow Chemical has put its epoxies, chlorinated organics, and building and construction outside North America, which together represent $6 billion in annual revenue, on notice to shape up or ship out (p. 4). Ashland, meanwhile, is seeking to separate its elastomers and water treatment business, which have combined sales of more than $2'billion (p. 4).
展开▼
