DuPont Expects Strong 2010 Performance Polymers Sales Growth, Margin Expansion

Building on 2009 Momentum in 2010

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Feb 24, 2010, 11:09 ET

WILMINGTON, Del., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- At the DuPont Investors’ Business Review Series teleconference today, Diane H. Gulyas, president – DuPont Performance Polymers, highlighted plans to grow the business’ sales greater than 12 percent in 2010 while increasing the pre-tax operating income margin.

“Critical elements of the business plans include leveraging global capabilities and value chain expertise, continued productivity initiatives and growth in emerging markets which accounted for almost 30 percent of sales in 2009,” Gulyas said. “DuPont Performance Polymers expects to deliver about 10 percent compounded annual sales growth rate and pre-tax operating income margin expansion greater than 700 basis points between 2009 through 2012.”

Gulyas highlighted examples of growth through new applications for products such as DuPont™ Hytrel® thermoplastic elastomers which have been adopted for key railway infrastructure projects in India and China; replacement of metal with high-performance plastics in under-the-hood components for weight reduction in the transportation industry; and DuPont’s broad portfolio of renewably sourced engineering resins.

Guylas previewed a new technology platform, which will launch next week, with product offerings that provide longer-performance at higher temperature requirements. Gulyas expects business growth will be fueled by growth in emerging markets, economic recovery, new products and continued cost and working capital productivity improvements.

DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements based on management’s current expectations, estimates and projections. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements as a result of future developments or new information. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the company’s strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures and financial results are forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words like “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “intends,” “projects,” “indicates,” and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in DuPont’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly its latest annual report on Form 10-K, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to changes in the laws, regulations, policies and economic conditions of countries in which the company does business; competitive pressures; successful integration of structural changes, including acquisitions, divestitures and alliances; research and development of new products, including regulatory approval and market acceptance, and seasonality of sales of agricultural products.

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SOURCE DuPont