Asia Carbon Industries, Inc. announced unaudited consolidated earnings and production results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012. For the quarter, the company reported net sales were $12,581,692 against $13,441,516 a year ago. The decline in sales was mainly attributable to the decrease in the market selling price of carbon black. Income from operations was $2,523,873 against $2,890,628 a year ago. Income before provision for income tax was $2,489,299 against $2,863,450 a year ago. Net income was $1,807,081 against $2,105,473 a year ago. Net income per diluted share was $0.04 against $0.04 a year ago. The company's total carbon black production capacity was 61,000 tons per annum as of March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The annualized production/total capacity utilization rate was 82% and 80%, respectively, during three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. Unit sales of carbon black products increased to 12,573 tons in the quarter ended March 31, 2012, up 3.5% from 12,140 tons for the same period in 2011, while the average sales price of these products decreased 13% to $933 per metric ton in the quarter ended March 31, 2012 from $1,070 per ton in the quarter ended March 31, 2011. This decline of unit sales price was somewhat offset by the increase in unit sales.