MIDLAND, MI – Dow Chemical said third-quarter net income fell 25% year-over-year to $597 million, as sales of specialty products and commodity plastics increased.

The firm says end markets such as electronics, coatings and packaging continue to show strength. Electronics and coatings reported $651 million in profits, with the electronics and specialty materials unit earnings up 4.7%.

Overall sales rose 6.8% to $12.9 billion compared to the third quarter 2009. Revenue growth was led by a 27% increase in North America, a 24% rise in Latin America, and a 23% jump in Europe.

Sales in emerging market rose 19% to more than $4 billion, a company record.