The increase in operating income was primarily driven by higher ECU values and an improvement in chlorovinyls and aromatics volumes, partially offset by higher raw materials costs and lower sales volumes in building products.
In chlorovinyls, Q3 sales increased to $316.7 million from $229.1 million during the third quarter of 2009. The jump was due to higher sales prices for caustic soda and higher sales prices and volumes for vinyl resins.
Sales for the building products segment were $222.9 million for the third quarter of 2010, compared to $226.7 million during the same quarter in the prior year. The decrease reflected softening conditions in the North American housing and construction markets, particularly in the US compared to the third quarter of 2009.
In aromatics, sales rose to $218.4 million from $100.5 million during the third quarter of 2009 on strong export demand.
Georgia Gulf manufacturers chlorovinyls and aromatics. The company's headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia, and it owns production facilities throughout North America.
