Oct 26, 2011. /Lesprom Network/. MeadWestvaco Corporation (MWV) reported another quarter of earnings growth, with income from continuing operations of $117 million, in the 3Q. MWV grew sales by 9%, including strong performance in global markets for food, beverage and tobacco packaging, and higher sales of performance chemicals for inks, adhesives, and oilfield drilling markets, as the company said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. Sales from continuing operations in the 3Q 2011 increased 9% to $1.64 billion from $1.50 billion in the 3Q 2010. Income from continuing operations in the 3Q 2011 increased 7% to $117 million, compared to $109 million in the 3Q 2010. “MWV’s record-setting quarterly operating results clearly demonstrate the stronger, more sustainable financial returns we are generating with our market-focused strategy,” said John A. Luke, Jr., chairman and CEO. "We continue to make progress with commercial strategies designed to capture growth in targeted areas and expand our market share – even in those markets where demand is being impacted by global economic conditions. This progress – building on the success we have had all year – demonstrates the strong financial return on our strategy and gives us a confident long-term outlook.” In the 4Q 2011, the company expects to build on its strong year-to-date performance and achieve record annual earnings this year. Earnings in the fourth quarter compared to the prior year will, however, be modestly lower principally due to costs from the planned maintenance and upgrade outage at the Covington paperboard mill and to lower rural land sales. The company also is anticipating weaker consumer demand driven by ongoing macroeconomic events, including the sovereign debt crisis in Europe and slower growth in developing markets. In addition, commodity volatility and inflation is leading to higher raw materials costs. In this difficult environment, the company remains focused on executing its market-focused strategies to generate profitable growth, improving operating productivity and investing in innovative solutions and emerging markets. MeadWestvaco Corporation, provides packaging solutions to many of the world’s most-admired brands in the healthcare, beauty and personal care, food, beverage, home and garden, and tobacco industries.