Compagnie de Saint-Gobain reported sales results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. For the quarter, the company reported sales of €9,674 million, down 4.8% or €10,162 million a year ago. For the year 2013, the group targets recovery in operating income in the second half, after having bottomed out between mid-2012 and mid-2013 and high level of free cash flow, namely as a result of a €200 million reduction in capital expenditure.

Saint-Gobain has expanded its Sani-Tech(R) line of fluid transfer products with the introduction of Sani-Tech(R) Ultra-HP high purity hose. Ultra-HP combines a tough outer jacket and hose comprising multiple layers of Sani-Tech(R) Ultra platinum-cured silicone and 316L stainless steel helical wire reinforcement with a PharmaFluor(R) FEP liner. The liner's smooth inner bore surface provides both optimal flow and ease of cleaning and sanitization. The PharmaFluor(R) FEP liner minimizes bonding of biological materials and maintains fluid purity due to low TOCs, extractables and leachables. The liner is fully bonded to the silicone hose utilizing patented bonding technology, which helps ensure a high purity fluid path. Sani-Tech(R) Ultra-HP hose is manufactured to tight dimensional tolerances, which simplifies the assembly procedure. The hose's overall light weight, low force to bend and exceptional flexibility make it very user-friendly. It suitable for a variety of applications, including bioprocessing, product transfer and steam-in-place/clean-in-place (SIP/CIP).

Saint-Gobain announced earnings results for the year ended December 31, 2012. Saint-Gobain In a difficult economic environment and after a broadly satisfactory start to the year, Saint-Gobain's businesses were hit as from the second quarter of 2012 by the deteriorating economic climate in Europe and by difficult trading in Flat Glass, in both Europe and Asia and emerging countries. Full-year sales totaled EUR 43.2 billion, up 2.6% and reflecting favorable currency fluctuations as well as contributions from acquired companies. Squeezed by both a decline in sales volumes and a sharply negative cost/price spread in Flat Glass, Saint-Gobain's operating income shed 16.3% to EUR 2.88 billion. Consequently, the operating margin was 6.7% (8.5% excluding Building Distribution) compared to 8.2% (10.9% excluding Building Distribution) in 2011. Consolidated net loss - Group share was EUR 370.3 million. For 2013, Saint-Gobain is anticipating: recovery in its operating income in the second half, after it bottomed out between mid-2012 and mid-2013; a high level of free cash flow, namely as a result of a 200 million reduction in capital expenditure; a robust balance sheet, strengthened by the disposal of Verallia North America. At its meeting of February 20, 2013 Saint-Gobain's Board of Directors decided to recommend to the June 6, 2013 Shareholders' Meeting a dividend of 1.24 per share at the June 6, 2013 Shareholders' Meeting, unchanged from 2011.