Compagnie Plastic Omnium SE

Earnings Release • Jan 28, 2010

Paris – 28 January 2010

Sharp Rebound in Fourth-Quarter 2009 Revenue 2009 Earnings Forecast Revised Upwards

For the year ended 31 December 2009, Compagnie Plastic Omnium's consolidated revenue totaled €2,458.6 million, compared with €2,696.5 million in 2008. Although down 16.4% for the first nine months of 2009, revenue rose 16.8% in the fourth quarter alone to limit the full-year decline to 8.8%.

In € millions, by business	4th Quarter		Change	Year		Change
	2008	2009		2008	2009
Plastic Omnium Automotive	479.9	593.8	+23.7%	2,171.5	2,014.5	-7.2%
Plastic Omnium Environment	133.5	122.5	-8.2%	525.0	444.1	-15.4%
Consolidated revenue	613.4	716.3	+16.8%	2,696.5	2,458.6	-8.8%
In € millions and as a % of revenue		4th Quarter		Year
by region	2008	2009	Change	2008	2009	Change
France	150.7	187.9	+24.7%	702.2	729,8	+3.9%
	24%	26%		26%	30%
Europe (excluding France)	244.4	269.1	+10.1%	1,151.8	971.3	-15.7%
	40%	37%		43%	40%
North America	141.8	149.4	+5.4%	540.8	420.3	-22.3%
	23%	21%		20%	17%
Asia	41.2	76.5	+85.7%	188.2	233.5	+24.1%
	7%	11%		7%	9%
South America, Africa	35.3	33.4	-5.4%	113.5	103.7	-8.6%
	6%	5%		4%	4%
Consolidated revenue	613.4	716.3	+16.8%	2,696.5	2,458.6	-8.8%
	100%	100%		100%	100%

Revenue from Plastic Omnium Automotive, which declined 7.2% for the year, held up well to the sharp drop in worldwide automobile production, which fell by an estimated 13%, or 23% excluding Brazil, India and China.

The fourth quarter saw a clear rebound in automobile markets, which were lifted by scrappage schemes (mainly in Europe) and faster growth in emerging countries, where revenue from automotive operations rose 24% in the last three months of the year. Nonetheless, automotive revenue was down nearly 10 points from its late 2007-early 2008 levels.

Throughout the year, the Company pursued its strategy of developing in emerging countries, especially China, which became the world's largest automobile market in 2009. With 12 plants in the country, Plastic Omnium doubled its revenue there to €100 million, which represented 5% of total automotive revenue. The percentage of China's contribution to revenue will increase over the next three years thanks to the construction of two plants a year that will be financed entirely from company funds.

Plastic Omnium Automotive also strengthened its innovation and R&D strategy with the goal of providing carmakers with solutions that reduce vehicle weight and CO2 emissions. The Division is responding proactively to stricter environmental standards and changes in the automobile market. Major advances in 2009 involved new product lines (with hatchbacks and floors capable of housing EV batteries and systems that reduce fuel tank emissions) as well as more extensive use of composite materials and new plastic recycling processes.

Lastly, the addition of automobile manufacturers Fiat, Daimler Mercedes Trucks, Suzuki, Mitsubishi and Mahindra&Mahindra to the customer portfolio will optimize the use of production resources around the world.

Impacted in the first half by local government budget restrictions in Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom, Plastic Omnium Environment saw a recovery in the second half, as revenue increased 8% compared with the first six months of the year. By maintaining its margins and generating more cash, the Division has validated the Company's strategy of building its development on two core businesses – Automotive and Environment. Attesting to Plastic Omnium Environment's growth potential, the number of research and development employees was tripled and the team was transferred to Σ-Sigmatech, the Company's worldwide R&D center in Lyon.

Thanks to the PO 2009 cost-reduction plan introduced in April 2008, the Company was able to generate a profit and considerably pay down debt in first-half 2009, despite a 19% drop in revenue. The strong upswing in production volumes late in the year accentuated the effects of these cost-savings measures and has led management to revise its latest earnings estimates upwards. The 2009 accounts, which will be published on 18 March 2010, will show a sharp improvement in operating margin compared with 2008 and a significant reduction in debt from first-half 2009.

Investor Relations Tel: +33 (0)1 40 87 64 49 / Fax: +33 (0)1 40 87 96 62 / Email: investor.relations@plasticomnium.com

Plastic Omnium is a world leader in automotive components and modules, and a major European player in products and services for local communities. Plastic Omnium is listed on the Euronext Paris stock market, Compartment B, and is included in the SBF 250 and CAC Mid 100 indexes (ISIN code: FR0000124570).