Dow reported a loss of revenues in the second-quarter whereby the company's net loss stood at $217 million, down from income of $90 million in the year-ago period. Sales were down by 24% as against last year and stood at $8.4 billion due to local price and volume declines, as the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically impacted results. 

 

Jim Fitterling, Dow’s chairman and chief executive officer, commented on the quarter, “Recognizing the significant impact that COVID-19 would have on demand in the quarter, Dow took proactive actions to electively focus on cash and maintain our financial strength with a continued emphasis on safe, reliable operations and disciplined capital allocation. As a result, Dow once again generated higher cash flow in the quarter. We captured solid demand growth in packaging, health and hygiene, home care and pharma endmarkets, which partially offset weakness in consumer durable goods. Extended economic lockdowns shifted the inflection point for demand recovery in key markets and geographies into June, where we began to see gradual improvements across most industries. The growing recovery in China and early signs of improvement in Western Europe are positive indicators for the United States and Latin America.

 

“Our proactive cost and cash interventions enabled us to continue to maximize our financial flexibility through the pandemic. We delivered another quarter of improved year-over-year cash flow from operations as we have every quarter since spin. We maintained our liquidity position, further reduced our net debt, and we progressed our strategic priorities by announcing an agreement to divest certain rail infrastructure assets. And importantly, we continued to stay close to our customers, providing new channels to access our solutions, such as our new MobilityScience platform for the transportation industry, and implementing enhanced supply chain visibility for them as we managed through this historic period.” 

 

“Based on what we’ve seen in the second quarter and into July, we continue to expect a gradual and uneven recovery and, therefore, remain intensely focused on the actions within our control and maximizing our operational advantages,” said Fitterling. “Our disciplined approach to cash generation and capital allocation, in addition to our structural cost improvements, will continue to serve as a solid foundation for us to weather this downturn and position us to capture significant value as markets lift.

 

“For that reason, we will upsize our 2020 operating expense reduction target from $350 million to $500 million through additional structural cost interventions. We will also initiate a restructuring program during the quarter, targeting more than $300 million in annualized EBITDA benefit by the end of 2021. This program includes a 6% reduction in Dow’s global workforce as well as actions to exit uncompetitive assets. While these are difficult decisions, they are necessary to maintain competitiveness while the economic recovery gains traction.

 

“Going forward, we have significant addressable market opportunities that will drive growth as the economy recovers. Global economic indicators and end-markets have begun to show improvement, and we will continue to benefit from our unique competitive advantages – our industry-leading feedstock flexibility, unmatched materials portfolio, and geographic and end-market diversity – enabling us to continue to outperform our peers for the longterm.”

 

Packaging & Specialty Plastics net sales were $4 billion, down 23% versus the year-ago period. Volume was flat as gains in Asia Pacific and Europe, Middle East, Africa and India (EMEAI) were offset by declines in the U.S. & Canada. Latin America volume was flat. The business captured strong demand growth in flexible food and specialty packaging, industrial and consumer packaging, and health and hygiene applications, which was offset by declines in higher-margin functional polymers’ exposure to durable end-markets, notably automotive, infrastructure and construction. Local price declined 22% from lower global energy prices, and currency decreased net sales by 1%. Operating EBIT was $318 million, compared to $768 million in the year-ago period. Targeted expense reductions as well as volume gains and incremental integrated margin improvement in non-durable packaging applications were more than offset by lower demand and integrated margins in durable end-markets.

 

Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure net sales were $2.4 billion, down 28% versus the year-ago period. Volume declined 18% due to reduced demand for durable good end-markets primarily in Polyurethanes & Construction Chemicals. Local price decreased 9%, and currency decreased net sales by 1%. Demand was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in construction, furniture and bedding, and automotive. Volume growth in Asia Pacific was more than offset by declines in other regions. Industrial Solutions reported lower net sales driven by decreased local prices and volume. Improved demand for pharma and home care applications was more than offset by declines in industrial and oil applications, as well as consumer athleisure apparel. Volume growth in Asia Pacific was more than offset by reduced demand in other regions due to the impact of COVID-19. Local prices declined due to lower global energy prices, with Industrial Specialties prices showing more resilience.

 

Performance Materials & Coatings net sales were $1.9 billion, down 21% versus the year-ago period. Volume declined 14% as growth in home care products as well as do-it-yourself (DIY) architectural coatings in the U.S. & Canada was more than offset by a decline in siloxanes. Local price decreased 6%, and currency decreased net sales by 1%. Operating EBIT was $27 million, compared to $214 million in the year-ago period, primarily due to margin compression in siloxanes and lower demand due to regional lockdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.