Europe's harsh winter in 2004/5 hit sales of architectural glass because the weather delayed a lot of building projects, according to the global glass and building products group Saint-Gobain. Sales volumes fell by 3.2% in the first quarter 2005, offset partially by sharp price rises of 2.5% on average. Prices for glass processing and for EU automotive glass fell slightly, the latter due to a bad product mix, according to Saint-Gobain. Business remained stable in EU auto markets, but performed strongly in emerging markets. Packaging sales fell slightly compared with the first quarter 2004. Saint-Gobain says higher sales prices were more than offset by lower sales of wine bottles in Europe. Insulation sales continued to reap the benefits of strong construction markets in the US. (whole item)
