By Allison Prang 



  Ecolab Inc. said that with a "gradual" recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic's effect, the company expects sales in its healthcare and life sciences segment for the year to grow from a year ago. 


  The company said it expects "modest pressure on our Industrial segment businesses and lessening but still significant pressure on sales of our Institutional and Other segments." 


  Ecolab said it couldn't provide an earnings outlook because of the uncertainty of the effect of Covid-19 on the economy. 


  The company's second-quarter net sales beat analysts' estimates but adjusted earnings missed. 


  Write to Allison Prang at allison.prang@wsj.com