In the first half of 2005, ICI Paints’
sales rose five percent to £1.12 billion,
with particularly strong performance
in Asia helping to offset generally weak
retail markets in Europe.
In Asia, decorative sales rose 22%
with “notable growth” coming from
China, India and Pakistan.
In Europe, decorative sales were
slightly down, with lower volumes
stemming from weakness in retail
markets, which offset the benefits of
increased selling prices.
In North America, decorative sales
rose four percent. In Latin America,
decorative sales rose 13%, with sales
volume in Argentina and Uruguay
“well ahead” of last year, it said.
ICI’s packaging coatings sales rose
13% in the six-month period, with
growth in all regions. CW