The French plastics processing group Plastic Omnium (HQ: rue du Parc 1, F-92593 Levallois) stepped up sales by 11% to EUR 1.38bn in the course of the 1998 financial year. The scope of consolidation remained unchanged by comparison with 1997. Business from outside of France accounted for 57% of sales (up 14.2% to EUR 791m), with 76% of this originating in Euroland, 8% in the UK, 13% in North America and 3% in other regions of the world.

The highest level of growth was recorded in automotive components (+12% to EUR 1.06bn). The “Urban Systems” Division, specialising in refuse containers, achieved sales of EUR 192.8 (+6%). In fluorinated plastic products (3P) and medical technology, sales rose 7% to EUR 128m. On this subject, rumours circulating in the sector that Plastic Omnium is planning to part with Urban Systems and 3P were vigorously denied by CEO Jean Burelle a few months ago. The company ranks among the market leaders in both areas and sees extraordinarily good growth prospects in this line of business.

Plastic Omnium strategically expanded its worldwide presence in 1998 once again. In the summer, a new automotive parts plant with some 250 employees was inaugurated in Puebla/Mexico, primarily to supply the VW New Beetle being produced there. A plant for fuel tanks and fuel lines set up jointly with Solvay Automotive in Curitiba (Parana, Brazil) has now come on stream. In Rochester Hills, close to Detroit (USA), Plastic Omnium opened an “Automotive Technical Centre” in September, following investment of USD 2m.

Further details of the Puebla plant and the Technical Centre in Rochester Hills (English): PIE-No. 43455.