July 24, 2026 10:27

US chemical group Dow closed the second quarter of 2026 with sharply improved financial results, led by net sales, which rose 20% year on year to $12.1 billion.

The result was supported by pricing, with local prices increasing by 20%, driven by Packaging & Specialty Plastics and higher polyethylene prices across all regions. Currency movements added 1% to sales compared with the previous year, while volumes declined by 1%.

In volume terms, growth in Performance Materials & Coatings was more than offset by a decline in Packaging & Specialty Plastics, mainly due to planned maintenance activity.

Consolidated net income amounted to $802 million, while operating EBIT reached $1.6 billion, an improvement of $1.7 billion compared with the same period of the previous year, primarily due to higher prices and the company’s self-help initiatives.

The results form part of Dow’s “Transform to Outperform” programme, through which the company aims to become leaner and more competitive. Dow expects its self-help initiatives to generate total benefits of more than $1.3 billion in 2026, around $200 million above previous estimates.

“Team Dow delivered strong second quarter results through disciplined and timely execution, reliably serving our customers, and accelerating our self-help actions,” said Karen S. Carter, Dow CEO (pictured). “Market conditions were supportive this quarter, and our self-help initiatives delivered ahead of plan.”

A closer look at the figures shows that the Packaging & Specialty Plastics segment generated net sales of $6.4 billion, up 27% compared with the same period of the previous year. Local prices increased by 30% year on year, mainly due to higher polyethylene prices across all regions, while volumes declined by 4%. Operating EBIT amounted to $1.3 billion, up $1.2 billion compared with the same period of the previous year.

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