Paper, cement businesses boost SCC in Q3

However, its net profit plunged 21 per cent from Bt7.55 billion in the same period last year, when an extra gain from divestments of Bt1.92 billion was booked.

In yesterday's filing to the Stock Exchange of Thailand, SCC said its net sales from July to September totalled Bt79.3 billion, up 15 per cent year on year due to higher volume.

Compared to the previous three months, thirdquarter net profit dropped 17 per cent, due chiefly to the poor performance of the petrochemical industry and lower dividends from affiliated companies.

Sector by sector, the SCC chemical business's consolidated net profit reached Bt3 billion, a yearonyear decrease of 43 per cent due to the Bt1.92billion gain from divestment in the third quarter of 2007. It also dropped 17 per cent from the second quarter, with falling sales volume and a Bt400million loss in the polytriacetelyne business.

The paper business, however, showed slight improvement in margins, in addition to volume growth. Its net sales reached Bt12.4 billion, up 12 per cent year on year and 4 per cent quarter on quarter due to higher selling prices.

Net profit increased 69 per cent year on year to Bt620 million but dropped 10 per cent quarter on quarter due to increased depreciation and interest expenses from the new printing and writingpaper plant.

SCC's cement business showed 16percent annualised growth in net sales to Bt12.96 billion, while net profit rose 29 per cent year on year.

The buildingmaterials business's net sales rose 8 per cent year on year to Bt5.9 billion, due to higher production capacity and good sales of highvalue products.

However, net profit dropped 9 per cent year on year to Bt318 million, as there was no extra gain in the period.