Plastic Omnium : 2004 Nine-Month Sales Up 7.4%

PARIS, October 19 -- In the nine months that ended September 30, 2004, Compagnie Plastic Omnium's consolidated sales totaled EUR1,337.9 million, up 7.4% from the prior-year period, both on a reported basis and at constant exchange rates and scope of consolidation.

In the third quarter alone, sales rose by 15.5% to EUR448.9 million, including a EUR28-million contribution from HBPO, the joint company created on July 1, 2004 to produce automotive front-end modules. At constant exchange rates and scope of consolidation, the third-quarter increase was 11.6%.

    
    in EUR millions, by           Sept 30,   Sept 30, 2003 % change
    business                        2004
    Plastic Omnium Auto                647.7         569.5   +13.7%
    Exterior
                                       440.5         425.9    +3.4%
    Inergy Automotive Systems
                                     1,088.2         995.4    +9.3%
    Total Automotive Equipment
    Plastic Omnium Environment         181.3         161.6   +12.2%
    Performance Plastics                59.4          67.3   -11.7%
    Products - 3P
    Plastic Omnium Medical               9.0          21.3       na
    Total sales                      1,337.9       1,245.6    +7.4%

    
    in EUR millions and as a %    Sept 30,   Sept 30, 2003 % change
    of sales,                       2004
    by region
    France                             436.5         415.0    +5.2%
 
                                         33%           33%
    Europe (excluding France)          490.8         421.9   +16.3%
 
                                         37%           34%
    North America                      338.5         349.9    -3.3%
 
                                         25%           28%
    Asia and South America              72.1          58.8   +22.6%
 
                                          5%            5%
    Total sales                      1,337.9       1,245.6    +7.4%
 
                                        100%          100%

For full-year 2004, Compagnie Plastic Omnium confirms that its automotive sales will outpace growth in global automobile production, that its environment businesses will continue to grow, and that EBIT and net income will both show an increase over 2003.

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Investor Relations, Tel: +33-(0)1-40-87-64-49 Fax: +33-(0)1-40-87-96-62 Email: investor.relations@plasticomnium.com