Investment firm Carlyle Group is set to acquire DuPont's performance coatings unit for almost $5 billion as the division's "full growth potential would be best realized outside DuPont and through the sale to Carlyle," said DuPont CEO Ellen Kullman. "The coatings marketplace has consolidated greatly over the last few years. Our business -- to continue to invest and be competitive -- with Carlyle will have a better future," she said.