Sequentially, the business achieved broad-based volume growth due to lower planned maintenance activity and strong demand in silicones applications, including personal care, as certain geographies began to experience an increase in travel and a return to workplace and social activities, with notable improvements in China.

Jul 22, 2021 / CEO / receipt, needs a key / Jim Fidling, CEO | earnings call 2021-07-22 | transcript ae56f49f-5858-48ea-bf49-63ef69c64041 | chars 7596-7919 | segment 7

As vaccination rates increase around the world and economies continue to reopen, pent-up consumer demand and increased personal savings built over the past year should also provide an additional boost to the global economy. Consumer confidence continues to climb on conviction that economic conditions will continue to improve, supporting continued purchases of homes, automobiles, and other durable goods. Business travel sentiment continued to improve in May with more than half of U.S. companies planning to resume domestic business travel within the next three months. The personal care market, which has been one of the slowest to recover, began to see a rebound in the second quarter with increases in U.S. cosmetics and beauty product sales on rising consumer demand. And as borders reopen, recreational activities and international travel should also boost economic activity. while we're mindful that there will absolutely be some regional variations in the timing and the pace of the recovery.

Jul 22, 2021 / CEO / receipt, needs a key / Jim Fidling, CEO | earnings call 2021-07-22 | transcript ae56f49f-5858-48ea-bf49-63ef69c64041 | chars 12332-13334 | segment 12