For the full year 2009, the Functional Products unit had sales of 786 million, down more than 17 percent from 948 million in 2008. The unit reported sales of 195 million in 2009s fourth quarter, down 11.3 percent from 219 million in the year-earlier period. The firm pointed out that mining and AgroSolutions businesses drove the lower sales.

On the other hand, polymers, coatings and inks, and the synthetic lubricants business are experiencing a gradual recovery in volumes due to a slight pick-up in the automotive, housing and construction markets, resulting in stable sales versus 2008s fourth quarter, Cognis stated.

Dusseldorf, Germany-headquartered Cognis as a whole reported full-year 2009 sales of 2.6 billion ($3.5 billion), down almost 14 percent from 2008s total sales. In 2009s fourth quarter, total sales slid to 627 million, down 10.1 percent from 697 million in the year-earlier period.

Overall, Cognis reported a net profit of 25 million for 2009, compared to a 49 million net loss for 2008. For 2009s fourth quarter, Cognis as a whole posted a 24 million net profit, compared to a 30 million net loss in 2008s fourth quarter.

The synthetics lubricants business developed differently from region to region, Cognis noted. In Asia and South America the business successfully expanded with compounded lubricants, while demand for esters used in refrigeration lubricants declined following the negative trend in relation to compressor manufacturers, the corporation stated. Especially in Europe, volumes for compounded lubricants declined as demand in their key markets in the automotive industry and mechanical engineering collapsed.