Plastic Omnium - Strong growth in first-half 2003 sales

PARIS, July 24 -- Compagnie Plastic Omnium's consolidated sales rose by 8.8% at constant exchange rates in the six months ended June 30, 2003. Due to the Group's extensive manufacturing operations in North America, the translation of dollar revenues into euros reduced interim consolidated sales by 8.2%, resulting in reported growth of 0.6% for the period.

  The strong growth in comparable sales may be analyzed as follows:

  In euro millions,        June 30,      June 30,    % change    At constant
  by business                2002         2003                     exchange
                                                                    rates

  Plastic Omnium Auto       371.4         396.0      + 6.6%         + 15.6%
  Exterior
  Inergy Automotive Systems 313.8         289.7       -7.7%          + 1.9%
  Total Automotive          685.2         685.7      + 0.1%          + 9.3%
  Equipment
  Plastic Omnium             99.3         109.4     + 10.2%         + 11.4%
  Environment
  Performance Plastics       52.9          47.0     - 11.2%          - 0,4%
  Products - 3P
  Plastic Omnium Medical     14.7          15.0      + 2.0%          + 2,0%
  Total sales               852.1         857.1      + 0.6%          + 8.8%

  In euro millions and as  June 30,       June 30,    % change   At constant
  a % of sales, by region    2002          2003                    exchange
                                                                     rates

  France                    269.5         280.4      + 4.0%          + 4.0%
                              32%           33%
  Europe (excluding France) 252.5         299.9     + 18.8%         + 22.3%
                              30%           35%
  North America             299.5         238.0     - 20.5%          - 1.7%
                              35%           28%
  Other countries            30.6          38.8     + 26.8%         + 42.5%
                               3%            4%
  Total sales               852.1         857.1      + 0.6%          + 8.8%
                             100%          100%

In line with forecasts, the Automotive Equipment businesses continued to amply outpace growth in worldwide automobile production, with sales increasing 9.3% at constant exchange rates. Plastic Omnium Auto Exterior gained significant new market share, particularly in Europe and North America, by broadening its product and service portfolio in the area of body components and modules. Inergy Automotive Systems maintained its position as the world leader in fuel systems with higher sales, notably in Eastern Europe and Asia.

Plastic Omnium Environment reported a 16% increase in interim sales at constant scope of consolidation and exchange rates. The performance was led by last year's sharp rise in contract service backlog and the first-half growth in sales in France, Spain and the UK.

In a persistently difficult industry environment, the reorganization of Performance Plastics Products -- 3P's administrative and manufacturing operations in France and the United States is proceeding according to the plan announced in 2002. The business' fixed costs will be significantly reduced in the second half.

First-half results, which will be released on September 16, will confirm the improvement in Compagnie Plastic Omnium's fundamentals, in line with the commitments of the PO Objective 2003 action plan.

PLASTIC OMNIUM holds leadership positions in its four core businesses-Automotive Equipment (exterior components and fuel systems), Environment, Performance Plastics Products -- 3P and Medical -- with operations in 25 countries on four continents. The Plastic Omnium share is listed on the Euronext Paris First Market and included in the SBF 250 index (ISIN code: FR0000124570).