Improved sales across its global markets and lower raw material and energy costs led to a fourth-quarter turnaround for Dupont, which forecast continued improvement in 2010. The chemicals company on Tuesday reported net income of $441 million in the three months that ended Dec. 31 versus a loss of $629 million a year earlier.
"Across the organization, Dupont delivered on its commitments in 2009," said DuPont Chair
and CEO Ellen Kullman. "We intend to emerge stronger in 2010 by building on the work we accomplished last year, with a focus on sales growth through market-driven innovation and operating leverage. We remain committed to compound annual growth targets of 10% for top-line and 20% for earnings through 2012."

Agriculture & Nutrition
Includes Crop Protection, Pioneer Hi-Bred and Nutrition & Health businesses
Segment sales of $1.4 billion were up $143 million or 12%. Volume increased 9%, with increases in all regions. Selling prices were up 3%. Segment volumes reflect 25% higher seed volume, with a strong start to the North America and European seasons, and successful summer plantings in Argentina, Brazil, and South Africa. Seed sales were $465 million. Crop protection product volumes increased 5%, reflecting increased insecticide demand in Latin America. Food and nutrition products sales were up slightly, reflecting increased sales in North America. Segment PTOI seasonal loss of $97 million, improved $67 million, principally due to higher seed volumes.
Electronics & Communications
Segment sales of $582 million were up 22% versus fourth-quarter 2008 and 2% above pre-recession fourth-quarter 2007. Sales reflect 13% higher volumes and 9% higher prices (includes metals pass-through pricing) versus fourth-quarter 2008. Seasonal demand, growth in photovoltaics and a small amount of inventory rebuilding throughout the industry contributed to a strong quarter. PTOI of $61 million was up $32 million primarily due to significantly improved volume and mix.
Performance Chemicals
Includes Titanium Technologies and Chemicals & Fluoroproducts businesses
Segment sales of $1.3 billion increased $113 million, or 9%. The sales increase was led by 17% higher volumes, partly offset by lower prices. Volume increases primarily driven by recovery in the titanium dioxide market in all regions. Pricing decreases mostly reflected the pass-through of lower chemicals raw material costs. PTOI was $208 million, an improvement of $194 million. The increase primarily reflected lower raw material costs and higher volume.
Performance Coatings
Segment sales of $975 million increased $70 million, or 8%, principally reflecting higher selling prices. Volumes were 2% lower, reflecting continued industrial market weakness in developed regions, partly offset by higher demand in automotive OEM markets. PTOI was $70 million, up $151 million, reflecting lower raw material costs and aggressive fixed cost reductions.
Performance Materials
Includes Packaging & Industrial Polymers and Performance Polymers businesses
Segment sales of $1.4 billion increased $242 million, or 20%, principally reflecting 24% higher volumes led by improvement in automotive, industrial, consumer and electrical markets, with strong volume recovery in all regions, particularly Asia Pacific. Segment PTOI for the quarter was $174 million, an improvement of $303 million, reflecting strong volume and variable margin expansion as lower selling prices were more than offset by the benefits of sharply lower raw material costs.
Safety & Protection
Includes Building Innovations, Protection Technologies and Sustainable Solutions businesses
Segment sales of $759 million decreased $75 million, or 9%, essentially all volume driven. Sales into automotive and consumer markets rebounded, while industrial and law enforcement markets continued to lag. PTOI was $135 million, an improvement of $48 million. The increase primarily reflected lower raw material costs and fixed cost reductions, partly offset by lower volume.