DowDuPont 's materials science and specialty products divisions have helped the firm to better than average in sales growth , with company - wide net sales of $ 21.5bn , driven by higher prices and increased demand . The materials science business , which makes products ranging from packaging materials to brake fluids , grew 17 % with 8 % rise in output , while the speciality products unit that makes construction materials . The materials science unit, which makes chemicals that go into making everything from cosmetics to packaging material to brake fluids, saw sales rise 17 percent, on the back of a 8 percent rise in volumes. as well as semiconductors and chips for mobile phones rose 11 % . CEO Ed Breen said the positive results helped mitigate a weak agriculture sector , which fell 25 % following delays caused by adverse weather .
DowDuPont 's materials science and specialty products divisions have helped the firm to better than average in sales growth , with company - wide net sales of $ 21.5bn , driven by higher prices and increased demand . The materials science business , which makes products ranging from packaging materials to brake fluids , grew 17 % with 8 % rise in output , while the speciality products unit that makes construction materials . as well as semiconductors and chips for mobile phones rose 11 % . CEO Ed Breen said the positive results helped mitigate a weak agriculture sector , which fell 25 % following delays caused by adverse weather .