Dow reports rising demand for silicones

Midland, Michigan – Dow’s Performance Materials & Coatings segment, which includes its silicones operations, reported a 6% year-on-year decline in third-quarter sales to $2.08 billion (€1.8 billion), according to the company’s latest results.

The decrease reflected lower prices and weaker volumes across both its businesses, partly offset by a 1% currency gain.

Dow’s silicones are part of its Consumer Solutions business, which posted lower net sales versus last year.

The unit reported higher demand for downstream electronics and home care applications, which was offset by 'reduced commodities prices and weaker upstream siloxanes volumes.'

Sequentially, however, the business saw improved sales helped by rising demand for both upstream siloxanes and downstream silicones, partly offset by continued price pressure.