Acquisition

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain
31 March 2003


press release


      SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS TO TAKE CONTROL OF Toshiba monofrax


Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Toshiba Ceramics and Nippon Electric Glass ('
NEG') have signed today an agreement setting up a new capital structure for
Toshiba Monofrax, a formerly 49/51 joint-venture between Saint-Gobain and
Toshiba Ceramics in Japan.

Under this agreement, Toshiba Ceramics sold today its 51% stake in the
joint-venture to NEG for 40% and to Saint-Gobain for 11%. As a result,
Saint-Gobain's share in Toshiba Monofrax now amounts to 60%.

The company name has been changed to 'SAINT-GOBAIN TM K.K'.

The company is dedicated to high performance refractories for the Japanese
market and more generally for the Asian market. Its 2002 sales amounted to 6 653
M JPY (57 M euro€).

Through this transaction, the Saint-Gobain Group further extends its presence in
Asia, Japan being the Group's first market in the region.


March 31th, 2003.

                         Investor Relations Department



Tel. : Florence TRIOU-TEIXEIRA       [phone] - mailto : [e-mail]
Tel. : Alexandre ETUY                [phone] - mailto : [e-mail]
                                     Fax: [phone]



                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange