Sales volumes for flat glass rose by 5.7% during 2005 at the French-owned multinational group Saint-Gobain to Euros 4.68BN, but operating income fell by 1.7% to Euros 543M. The company says an upturn in construction markets in Europe & emerging countries countered the second half drop in automotive glass sales. While selling prices for construction flat glass were higher than in 2004, operating income was weighed down by start-up costs in emerging countries. Volumes for glass fibre reinforcements increased by 2.8%, but sales prices fell & operating income fell 41.7% to Euros 49M. The glass packaging sector has been subject to intense speculation recently, with rumours ranging from the sale of the entire business to the acquisition of a rival manufacturer. Glass packaging sales rose by 3.3% in 2005 to Euros 4BN while operating income fell by 16% to Euros 385M.
