ARKAY Arkema (PK)

Chemical company E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DD) announced the results of a test, which showed that cookware with Teflon non-stick coatings is more durable and provided superior nonstick food release lasting compared with ceramic coatings. Teflon provides the customers with superior performance and also makes the clean up easy for them.

Consumers using Teflon cookware can also save money by less frequently replacing worn out ceramic cookware. This also makes them eco friendly as less energy is utilized and also lesser cookware is discarded.

Ceramic coating, on the other hand, is made up of synthesized polymer, which does not have a lasting non-stick release. Also, Ceramic coatings are not as healthy as the other products that are available in the market.

Also, Teflon non-stick coatings have been confirmed to be safe for use by the regulatory agencies around the world as they are made without using perfluorooctanoic acid. Teflon non-stick coatings are registered trademark for DuPont and are used to enhance performance in paints, fabrics, carpets, home furnishings, clothing and others.

On Jan 22, DuPont posted adjusted earnings from continuing operations (excluding the performance coatings business) of 11 cents per share for fourth-quarter 2012, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a couple of cents. Net sales were essentially flat year over year at $7,325 million but exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7,253 million.

Despite unfavorable currency exchange swings, the Agriculture segment delivered healthy sales in the fourth quarter boosted by higher volume and strong performance of the crop protection business. The company expects continued strong growth in crop protection in 2013 driven by new products.

DuPont currently holds a short-term Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Other companies in the chemical industry with favorable Zacks Rank are Arkema S.A. (ARKAY), BASF SE (BASFY) and Akzo Nobel NV (AKZOY). All three retain a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

 
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