he Woodlands, Texas – Although sales in the second quarter of 2020 are likely to be down by 30-35% on the 2019 figure, the trend is improving and it is being led by polyurethanes.
'Results in polyurethanes are expected to be modestly better than expected as trends in China and in US construction, including spray foam, are better than originally anticipated, ' the company said.
However, it added, he better-than-expected results in polyurethanes are largely offset by weaker than anticipated results in textile effects. This decline results from the long coronavirus shutdowns in textile manufacturing regions. The recovery in this sector may not start for Huntsman until the third quarter.
Across the rest of the business, the company said, the performance products division will be in line with earlier outlook. It added that performance in its advanced materials division will be down because of the deep trough in aerospace, Europe and India that is greater than was anticipated earlier in the year.
Huntsman made the announcement in a trading statement, which confirmed that its second quarter results will be announced on 28 July 2020.