Following a detailed strategic review that included a thorough investigation of the possible sale of the businesses, Nampak (Sandton / South Africa; www.nampak.co.za) has decided to retain its European packaging activities within the group. It says, however, that further restructuring and other opportunities have been identified to improve the overall performance of the activities.

The announcement was made by chief executive John Bortolan as he revealed an 11% increase in group revenue, to ZAR 8,5 bn (EUR 880m), in the six months to 31 March 2006. Trading income improved by 15%, to ZAR 920m, as the margin improved from 10.4% to 10.8%. The profit from plastics operations in Europe was ZAR 78m.