Baton Rouge, Louisiana -- Albemarle Corp. has reported net sales of $648.6 million (EUR 481.9 million) in the third quarter of 2013, down from net sales of $661.2 million in the corresponding quarter of 2012.
Net sales for the first nine months of 2013 were $1.9 billion down from $2.1 billion over the same period in 2012.
The figures follow the company's successful acquisition of the phosphorus-based polyurethane flame retardants businesses of Rhodia, an acquisition which includes a production plant in Avonmouth in the UK earlier this year.
Unfavourable pricing was blamed for a 10% drop in the net sales of catalysts, this year's third quarter saw $226.0 million sales compared to $248.6 in the third quarter of 2012.
Polymer solutions reported net sales of $224.3 million in the third quarter of 2013, a 3% increase on net sales in the third quarter of 2012 but the segment income was $41.5 million - 8% less than the $45.3 million recorded in the third quarter of 2012.
The company said the decline was driven by unfavourable pricing and higher manufacturing costs which had been partly offset by the increased sales volumes.
