DuPont to cut 1,500 jobs after 3Q profit slide

Sales in the electronics and communications business, which includes solar products, were down 28 percent, with volume declining 20 percent. Kullman said trade sanctions in the solar panel market, including U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made solar panels and an antidumping investigation of Chinese manufacturers by European regulators, have created uncertainty among suppliers and customers.

The performance chemicals unit, which posted record titanium dioxide volumes in last year's third quarter, saw an 18 percent decline in volume and 19 percent drop in sales.

DuPont's agriculture and health and nutrition businesses remained among the company's bright spots, posting sales gains of 4 percent each.

DuPont shares fell $4.37, or 8.8 percent, to $45.39.