CHEMICALS and building products group Yule Catto yesterday promised an

improved second half performance as it announced a drop in pre-tax

profits to #9.3m from #10.2m.

It accompanied the profits announcement for the six months to June 30

with plans to expand its rubber latex business into Germany and a cash

call for #29.7m.

The group is to buy a 50% stake in synthetic rubber maker Sythomer

Chemie, a subsidiary of Dynamit Nobel, for #18.2m.

It will pay for the expansion through the rights issue which will also

be used to cut borrowings and fund development of the group.

The group which owns the other 50% of Synthomer is Reichold Chemicals

with whom Yule already operates a UK joint venture called Doverstrand.

Synthomer, which was founded in 1961, made pre-tax profits of #3.8m in

the year to September 30 last year on sales of #588.9m.

The interim dividend is raised to 2.6p from 2.5p.