Acquisition

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain
20 September 2005


press
 release

                              
                                                              September 20, 2005


                      Saint-Gobain's Packaging Sector expands
                      in Eastern Europe's emerging countries


Saint-Gobain's Packaging Sector has recently acquired majority stakes in
Ukraine-based Consumers Sklo Zorya and Russian companies Sitall and
Kavminsteklo.


The acquisition of these glass packaging companies whose combined sales total 69
million € in 2004 is in line with the strategy being pursued by Saint-Gobain's
Packaging Sector in emerging countries. With this move, Saint-Gobain extends its
network of complementary glassworks in strong growth markets.


Building on a tradition of glass manufacturing, a dynamic workforce, and the
wealth of expertise brought by Saint-Gobain, these three glassworks will be able
to offer their customers glass packaging that meets the most stringent technical
requirements.


Saint-Gobain's Packaging Sector will oversee the ongoing development of these
sites and will offer its Eastern European customers a local source of
high-quality products bolstered by international best practices.


These investments are implemented in collaboration with the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), with which Saint-Gobain Packaging has
established a partnership, giving the bank an option on a minority stake in each
company.


With over 20,000 employees across the globe and 78 manufacturing facilities in
Europe, the Americas and China, Saint-Gobain's Packaging Sector is a world or
European leader in its three business areas:


•     the manufacture of glass bottles and jars for the food industry
•     the production of specialty glass bottles for the perfume, cosmetics
      and pharmaceutical industries
•     the manufacture of plastic pumps and other dispensing systems for
      household cleaners, personal and beauty care products, and pharmaceuticals


In 2004, the Packaging Sector achieved total sales of €3.8 billion, representing
12% of consolidated sales reported by the Saint-Gobain Group as a whole.


                   Appendix - Presentation of the Glassworks

Sitall (Russia)


Sitall is a Russian glassworks specializing in premium packaging products. Based
in Roslav, 400km (250 miles) southwest of Moscow, Sitall had sales of close to
20 million € in 2004.


The manufacturing site already operates three furnaces producing bottles and a
fourth furnace is currently being built, which will focus solely on
manufacturing bottles for the perfume and cosmetics industries.


Thanks to this acquisition, Saint-Gobain's Packaging Sector is set to become the
leading manufacturer of perfume bottles in Russia, with an extensive product
range meeting the needs of both Russian and international customers based in the
region. The Sector also aims to develop its manufacturing facility to produce,
in particular, bottles for the premium spirits market.


Kavminsteklo (Russia)


The Kavminsteklo glassworks is currently one of the top ten glass packaging
manufacturers in Russia. Founded in 1898, the Kavminsteklo manufacturing plant
is located in Mineralnye Vody, in the Stavropol region of the northern Caucasus,
in a wine-producing region also renowned for its natural mineral water.

The glassworks achieved total sales of 26 million € in 2004.


The plant's manufacturing facilities produce a range of 0.2-1.5l bottles in both
clear and green glass, designed for all beverage markets.


Consumers Sklo Zorya (Ukraine)


Consumers Sklo Zorya is located 320km (200 miles) west of Kiev in northwest
Ukraine. The glass manufacturing plant achieved total sales of 23 million € in
2004 and produces bottles and jars, largely for the Ukrainian market. A leader
in the manufacture of premium glass, the plant also produces customized
containers for the liqueurs, soft-drinks and food sectors.



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