Saint-Gobain's Packaging Sector, Courbevoie, France, recently acquired majority stakes in one Ukrainian & 2 Russian companies: Consumers Sklo Zorya (320km west of Kiev) produces premium glass & customised containers for the liqueurs, soft-drinks & food sectors. Sitall (Roslav, Russia) specialises in premium packaging products.The manufacturing site already operates 3 furnaces producing bottles; a fourth furnace is currently being built that will make bottles for the perfume & cosmetics sectors. Kavminsteklo, in Mineralnye Vody, Russia, a wine-producing region, makes a range of 0.2-1.5l bottles in clear & green glass, for all beverage markets. These investments are implemented in collaboration with the EBRD, with which Saint-Gobain packaging has established a partnership, giving the bank an option on a minority stake in each company. (see:www.saint-gobain.com)
