Compagnie Plastic Omnium's Strong Growth in 2003 Sales

PARIS, January 22 -- Compagnie Plastic Omnium's consolidated sales rose by 6.2% in 2003 to EUR1,723.2 million. At constant exchange rates and scope of consolidation, the increase was 14.7%.

This sharp growth breaks down as follows:

    In EUR millions, by business          2002    2003        %  At constant
                                                       change   exchange
                                                                rates and
                                                                scope of
                                                              consolidation
    Plastic Omnium Auto Exterior        701.0   810.1   15.6%         23.6%
    Inergy Automotive Systems           589.5   573.3   -2.7%          6.7%
    Total Automotive Equipment          1,290.5 1,383.4  7.2%         15.9%
    Plastic Omnium Environment          201.3   223.3   10.9%         16.2%
    Performance Plastics Products - 3P  99.0    86.6   -12.5%          1.6%
    Plastic Omnium Medical              31.4    29.9    -4.8%         -4.8%
    Consolidated sales                  1,622.2 1,723.2  6.2%         14.7%
 
                                          2002    2003        %  At constant
                                                         change   exchange
                                                                  rates and
                                                                  scope of
    In EUR millions and as a                                    consolidation
    percentage of sales, by region
    France                                538.8   575.7    6.8%          6.4%
                                           33%     33%
    Europe (excluding France)             477.8   602.4   26.1%         29.8%
                                           29%     35%
    North America                         539.8   467.7  -13.4%          7.4%
                                           33%     27%
    Other                                 65.8    77.4    17.6%         30.7%
                                           4%      5%
    Consolidated sales                   1,622.2 1,723.2   6.2%         14.7%
                                          100%    100%

As forecast, the automotive businesses, which account for 80% of consolidated sales, outperformed the global automobile market in 2003, with sales increasing by 15.9% at constant exchange rates. Expansion was driven by strong growth in new markets in Eastern Europe and Asia and by market share gains in Western Europe and North America.

The Environment business enjoyed sustained growth as sales rose by 10.9%, led by France and the United Kingdom. A number of strategic transactions were made during the year, with the sale of Profutex, the acquisition of Beauvais Diffusion and the creation of a plastics recycling and recovery alliance with CFF Recycling.

When restated to reflect the disposal of the lined pipe business in Europe and the United States and the currency effect, sales at Performance Plastics Products - 3P, where a restructuring program is underway, rose by 1.6% for the year.

Plastic Omnium's full-year financial results will be published on March 9. In line with the Company's announced objectives, they will show a strong increase in net income and a reduction in debt, reflecting the success of measures implemented as part of the PO Objective 2003 plan.

www.plasticomnium.com

Plastic Omnium holds European and global leadership positions in its four core businesses - Automotive Equipment (Exterior Components and Fuel Systems), Environment, Performance Plastics Products - 3P and Medical - with more than 9,000 employees and 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).