Stepan reports 2Q 2003 results

Stepan reports 2Q 2003 results

F O C US dishwashing and laundry has saved 250,000 tonnes/y of products (AISE report 1996-2001) and associated savings on packaging and transport. LCA...

32KB Sizes 10 Downloads 248 Views

F O C US dishwashing and laundry has saved 250,000 tonnes/y of products (AISE report 1996-2001) and associated savings on packaging and transport. LCA comparisons of different product forms are given. The change from powder to tablets in 10 European countries is discussed. Chimica Oggi, Jun 2003, (Suppl. Household and Personal Care), 48-52

Linde/Sasol cooperation deal for waste carbon dioxide from surfactant production Linde Gas is to invest €10 M in building a 60,000 tonnes/y liquid carbon dioxide plant on the Marl Chemical Park, Ruhr, Germany, with completion in 2004. This will be good enough for use in foods. Sasol, a neighbour on the site, will supply extremely pure carbon dioxide gas for the plant from waste gases produced in making primary surfactants. The project will be managed by Linde Gas engineering department and Degussa Engineering. European Chemical News, 7 Jul 2003, 79 (2060), 27 & Chemical and Engineering News, 7 Jul 2003, 81 (27), 10

LEGISLATION Detergents: proposal for a European Parliament and Council regulation on detergents The detergents proposal, which was passed by the European Economic and Social Committee in Feb 2003, was endorsed by Parliament (first reading) on 10 Apr 2003, subject to a number of amendments aimed in particular at stricter conditions for granting derogations from the biodegradability rules and clearer labelling for consumers. Bulletin of the European Union, 14 Jul 2003, (4) (Website: http://europa.eu.int/abc/doc/off/bull/en/welcome.htm)

COMPANY RESULTS

O N

S U R FAC TA N T S

and healthy improvement in its international earnings, along with favourable currency trends and a lower effective tax rate, propelled results in Ecolab’s 2Q 2003. The consolidated sales increased 13% to a record $947 M in 2Q 2003. Net income rose 30% to a record $67 M. Sales for Ecolab’s US Cleaning & Sanitizing operations rose 7% to $431 M for 2Q 2003, as gains in Institutional, Kay and Professional Products operations led growth. US Other Services sales increased 5% to $83 M for 2Q 2003. Sales of Ecolab’s International Cleaning & Sanitizing operations rose 4% in 2Q 2003 when measured at fixed currency rates. Ecolab expects sales for both domestic and international operations to increase in 3Q 2003. Gross margins are expected to be in the 51% range, and selling, general and administrative expenses are expected to be around 37% of sales for 3Q 2003. Ecolab 2Q and 1H 2003 results, 22 Jul 2003 (Ecolab Inc, 370, N Wabasha Street, St Paul, MN 55102-2233, USA. Tel: +1 651 293 2233. Fax: +1 651 293 2092. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.ecolab.com)

Stepan reports 2Q 2003 results Stepan Co, headquartered in Northfield, IL, reported higher sales of $200.429 M for 2Q ended Jun 2003 (+6% over $188.795 M in 2Q 2002) but lower net earnings of $4.76 M (-42% from net earnings of $8.217 M in 2Q 2002). Net sales for 1H 2003 increased 5% to $387.509 M ($369.951 M in 1H ended Jun 2002). Earnings declined 41% to $7.048 M for 1H 2003 (earnings of $12.027 M in 1H 2002). Surfactant earnings declined on flat sales volume, weaker sales mix and lower margins. These represented 79% of company revenues during 2Q 2003. Research, development and technical services expenses were $6.362 M during 2Q 2003 and $12.577 M during 1H 2003 ($5.986 M in 2Q 2002 and $11.972 M in 1H 2002). Stepan 2Q and 1H 2003 results, 23 Jul 2003 (Stepan Co, 22, West Frontage Road, Northfield, IL 60093, USA. Tel: +1 847 446 7500. Fax: +1 847 501 2100. Website: http://www.stepan.com)

Ecolab reports strong 2Q 2003 sales

Great Lakes announces 2Q 2003 results

Strong domestic sales led by good growth in its core business divisions

Great Lakes Chemical Corp announced a 2% increase in net sales

6

from continuing operations of $416.7 M for 2Q 2003 ($408.5 M in 2Q 2002). Great Lakes reported net income of $18.9 M for 2Q 2003 (net income of $105.9 M in 2Q 2002). The 2Q 2003 net sales for the Speciality Products business increased 7% to $204.6 M against that in 2Q 2002. The Feb 2003 acquisition of Lime-O-Sol, and its line of The Works household cleaners, and a stronger euro against the US dollar drove the increase. Organic growth and profitability were constrained during 2Q 2003 by cooler-than-normal weather at the beginning of the pool season in certain regions of the US. The decline in operating income from 2Q 2002 record performance of $38.3 M to $36.5 M in 2Q 2003 also reflects production cutbacks necessary to align inventories with customer order patterns and higher raw material costs. For 1H 2003, the company reported a 5% increase in net sales from continuing operations to $750.7 M ($713.5 M in 1H 2002) and net income of $18.1 M ($104.3 M). Great Lakes 2Q and 1H 2003 results, 23 Jul 2003 (Great Lakes Chemical Corp, PO Box 2200, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA. Tel: +1 765 497 6218. Website: http://www.greatlakeschem.com)

P&G earnings growth exceeds expectations during 2002-2003 The Procter & Gamble Co (P&G) announced strong growth for 4Q and year ended Jun 2003, exceeding expectations. The company delivered excellent top line growth behind strong volume. Net sales were $10.92 bn and net earnings were up 5% to $955 M during 4Q 2002-2003 (net earnings of $910 M in 4Q 20012002). 4Q proceeds were supported by new products and the weak exchange rate of the dollar. During 2002-2003, net sales were $43.38 bn and net earnings were $5.19 bn. For 4Q 2002-2003, fabric and home care delivered strong volume growth and net sales increased 11% to $3.26 bn and earnings grew 6% to $499 M. During 2002-2003, fabric and home care net sales grew 8% to $12.56 bn and earnings grew 12% to $2.06 bn. During 4Q 2002-2003, sales of beauty care were $3.07 bn and earnings increased 39% to $466 M. SEPTEMBER 2003