Like-for-like, Flat Glass sales were down 1.3% at Saint-Gobain in the first half of 2013, but were up 2.4% in the second quarter. In its First Half 2013 financial results, it said in the three months to June 30, the quicker pace of recovery in Asia and emerging countries more than offset the downturn in volumes and sales prices on Western European construction markets. Automotive Flat Glass sales stabilised in the second quarter in Western Europe, after a tough first three months. Over the first half as a whole, the price of commodity products (float glass) in Europe remained lower on average than in first-half 2012, despite the price increases implemented in the second quarter. As a result, and despite the large-scale restructuring measures rolled out, the operating margin for the division slipped further, down to 1.5% of sales versus 2.1% of sales in first-half 2012. Its packaging (Verallia) sales slipped 2.9% on a like-for-like basis over the six months to June 30, despite a 2.1% rise in sales prices. Volumes retreated in the US and in Western Europe, and remained stable in Russia and Latin America. Saint-Gobain said it had been disappointed by the complaint filed by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding the planned sale of the division and would defend the transaction in litigation, while working with the FTC to seek to resolve its concerns. In the next few quarters, the group expects trading to gradually improve, especially in North America and in Asia and emerging countries.
