PARIS, February 19/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Saint-Gobain Isover is to build a new, 70,000-ton capacity glass wool plant in Chemille, (Maine-et-Loire) France. The plant is due to begin production at the end of 2008, will create approximately 150 jobs. This investment, which stands at around EUR100 million, is designed to address demand in fast-growing insulation markets in Western Europe and particularly in France. New regulatory requirements regarding the thermal performance of new and existing buildings should result in a 40% reduction of energy consumption in new buildings by 2020, and a fourfold reduction of energy consumption in existing buildings by 2050. The thermal insulation of buildings leads to substantial savings and is one of the most effective ways of combating greenhouse gas emissions. Cutting edge techniques incorporating the latest environmentally-compliant practices will be used in the design and construction of this plant, which will adhere to HQE(R) (High Environmental Quality) guidelines. This strategic project will enable Saint-Gobain Isover to meet the strong demand for insulation products on a buoyant construction market, while at the same time extending its product range and maintaining its worldwide leadership. Saint-Gobain Isover forms part of Saint-Gobain's Construction Products sector. With 45,000 employees worldwide and 250 consolidated companies, the Construction Products sector is a leader in all its businesses: insulation (Isover), gypsum (Placo, Gyproc, Rigips, ProRoc), outdoor living products (CertainTeed), industrial mortars (Weber) and pipe (Pam). In 2006, it delivered consolidated sales of EUR10.9 billion, representing 26% of the Saint-Gobain Group's overall sales.
