US DuPont sees TiO2 sales volumes rising after recent weakness

24 January 2012 17:58  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS)--DuPont’s titanium dioxide (TiO2) sales volumes should rebound in 2012, led by growth in North America, company executives for the US-based producer said on Tuesday.

The rebound would come after substantial short-term demand decline and destocking as TiO2 markets were hit by fiscal tightening in China as well as the uncertainties in the eurozone, they said.

Karen Fletcher, DuPont vice president of investor relations, said that leading indicators point to an improving TiO2 outlook in 2012, with North American order patterns consistent with recovery.

“For 2012, we expect global demand growth and see signs of strengthening, first in North American markets,” Fletcher told analysts during the company’s 2011 fourth-quarter results conference call.

“Our confidence in TiO2 demand fundamentals remains intact, and we are proceeding with our TiO2 capacity expansion, as announced,” she said.

CEO Ellen Kullman added: “TiO2 demand, on average, tends to follow GDP, and with no major tranches of new capacity coming on in the next 24 months we expect this market to remain strong."

However, as for DuPont's overall sales volume outlook, Kullman voiced caution, saying 2012 first-quarter volumes would be down when compared with the first quarter of 2011.

For more on DuPont and other producers visit ICIS company intelligence

By: Stefan Baumgarten
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