Final Results

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain
29 March 2001


                     SAINT-GOBAIN GROUP FINAL RESULTS FOR 2000:

                          ANOTHER YEAR OF VIGOROUS GROWTH


    *  Net sales up 25.6% to EUR 28.8 billion (FRF 189 billion)

    *  Consolidated net income up 23.7% to EUR 1.5 billion 
       (nearly FRF 10 billion)

    *  Net income excluding capital gains up 16.2% to EUR 1 billion 
       (FRF 6.7 billion)


    *  EARNINGS PER SHARE EXCLUDING CAPITAL GAINS UP 19% TO EUR 12.04


                  DIVIDEND (RECOMMENDED TO THE GENERAL MEETING)
                          EUR 4.30 PER SHARE, UP 19.4%%


                    TARGET FOR 2001: 10% GROWTH IN NET INCOME
                             EXCLUDING CAPITAL GAINS



At its meeting of Thursday March 29, 2001, the Board of Directors of
Saint-Gobain approved the Group's consolidated financial statements for 2000.

The Group's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31,
2000 reflect the full consolidation of Essilor from January 1, 2000 until June
30, 2000; the company was then accounted for by the equity method from July 1,
2000 to November 15, 2000, at which time the Group disposed of its entire
interest in Essilor. Key consolidated figures for 1999 and 2000 are also
presented in Appendix 1 with Essilor accounted for by the equity method up to
November 15, 2000.

The key consolidated figures, which confirm the estimates published at the end
of January, are as follows:


                                                   2000         1999    % change

                                                 in EUR       in EUR 
                                               millions     millions

Net sales                                        28,815       22,952       25.5%
Operating income                                  2,693        2,314       16.4%
Dividend income                                      24           26      -7.69%
Interest and other financial charges, net          (612)        (328)      86.6%
Non-operating costs                                (158)        (191)     -17.3%
Income before tax and before profit on sale      
 of non-current assets and taxes                  1,947        1,821        6.9%
Profit on sale of non-current assets                584          457       27.8%
Provision for income taxes                         (791)        (775)       2.1%
Amortization of goodwill                           (182)        (142)      28.2%
Share in net results of equity investees             84           28      200.0%
Net income before minority interests              1,642        1,389       18.2%
Minority interests                                 (125)        (163)     -23.3%
Net income                                        1,517        1,226       23.7%
EPS (in EUR)                                      17.80        14.05       26.7%
Net income before profit on sale of non-
 current assets                                   1,026          883       16.2%
EPS before profit on sale of non-current
 assets (in EUR)                                  12.04        10.12       19.0%
Cash flow from operations                         2,643        2,360       12.0%
Capital expenditure on plant and equipment        1,722        1,712        0.6%
Expenditure on securities                         3,347        2,481       34.9%
Net debt                                          8,217        6,306       30.3%

These results are slightly above the target set by the Group for 2000, despite
less favorable economic conditions in the second half. They represent the
pay-off from the transformation of the business portfolio and the Group's
strategy to boost the profitability of its three core businesses, Glass,
High-Performance Materials and Housing Products (see Appendix 2).

Glass Sector sales and earnings were boosted by sustained demand across most of
its business lines and higher Flat Glass and Reinforcements prices.

The High-Performance Materials Sector reported only modest growth on an actual
structure basis, due to the use of the equity method to account for Essilor in
the second half. Excluding Essilor, the Sector turned in a very satisfactory
performance on both a published and like-for-like basis, thanks to strong gains
by the Ceramics and Plastics division.

The Housing Products Sector experienced a sharp dip in its profitability,
despite robust sales growth, especially in distribution. Significant increases
in raw materials and energy costs eroded margins, particularly in the Building 
Materials and Pipe divisions. Building Materials Distribution operating margin 
was diluted by the Raab-Karcher acquisition, masking  a modest improvement in
underlying profitability.

Excluding Essilor, consolidated net sales expanded by 30.8% (25.5% including
Essilor). Based on a comparable structure, the growth rates were 11% in euros
and 5.5% in local currencies. Sales prices rose 2.1%, reflecting increases in
Flat Glass, Reinforcements and Building Materials prices throughout the year
2000. Sales volumes rose sharply in the first half, especially in Europe, but
flattened in the second half, due mainly to slacker demand in the United States
and Germany.

Out of total sales (excluding Essilor), France contributed 29.6%, the rest of
Europe 38.8%, North America 24.2% and the rest of the world 7.4%.

Excluding Essilor, operating income expanded 22.9% (16.4 including Essilor).
Operating margin stood at 9.2% (9.3% including Essilor) versus 9.8% in 1999.
Excluding both Essilor and the Building Materials Distribution division,
operating margin came to 10.6% compared with 10.5% in 1999.

Margins improved in France and the rest of Europe - excluding Building Materials
Distribution - as well as in emerging markets, but they contracted in North
America due to slower economic growth  in the United States in the second half
of the year.

Excluding Essilor, income before or profit on sale of non-current assets and
taxes expanded by 12.8% (6.9% including Essilor). Growth in operating income
offset the increase in net interest and other financial charges triggered by the
financing of acquisitions made during the year. Excluding Essilor, non-operating
costs contracted sharply to EUR 157 million from EUR 185 million in 1999.

Profit on sale of non-current assets, in an amount of EUR 584 million, mainly 
concerned the sale of 4 million Vivendi shares and the Group's entire interest
in Essilor.

Net income reached EUR 1,517 million, up 23.7%. Earnings per share rose 26.7% 
to EUR 17.80 from EUR 14.05 in 1999, based on the 85,213,263 shares outstanding 
at December 31, 2000 following the cancellation of 5% of capital stock.

Excluding profit on sale of non-current assets, net income came to EUR 1,026 
million versus EUR 883 million in 1999, representing an increase of 16.2%. 
Based on the number of shares outstanding at December 31, 2000, earnings per
share before profit on sale of non-current assets stood at EUR 12.04, up 19%
compared with EUR 10.12 in 1999.

Excluding Essilor, cash flow from operations expanded by 18.7% to EUR 2,530
million (12% increase with Essilor). Excluding the EUR 104 million in tax on
profit on sale of non-current assets, cash flow from operations stood at EUR
2,634 million, an increase of 16.9% (10.7% including Essilor).

Excluding Essilor, capital expenditure on plant and equipment totalled EUR 1,638
million, representing 5.9% of sales against 7.4% in 1999. Including Essilor,
capital expenditure came to EUR 1,722 million, representing 6% of sales.

Excluding Essilor expenditure on securities amounted to EUR 3,275 million (EUR
3,347 million with Essilor), including EUR 1,978 million for the Meyer and Raab
Karcher acquisitions and EUR 376 million for the buyback of 2.5 million
Saint-Gobain shares.

Net debt at December 31, 2000 stood at EUR 8.2 billion, representing
approximately 68% of shareholders' equity.

General Meeting

The Board of Directors also reviewed the accounts of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, 
the parent (holding) company. Net income amounted to EUR 1,015 million for the 
year ended December 31, 2000, against EUR 574 million for 1999.

At the General Meeting of the Company's shareholders, called for June 28, 2001, 
the Board will recommend the distribution of EUR 357.3 million, against EUR 
300.9 million last year. The dividend per share would therefore amount to EUR
4.30, a 19.4% increase over last year. To this would be added a tax credit of
EUR 2.15 per share, giving a total of EUR 6.45 per share. The dividend will be
paid entirely in cash as from July 2, 2001.

In addition, the Board of Directors will recommend that the General Meeting 
confirm the appointment of Jean-Martin Folz, Chairman of the Management Board of
Peugeot S.A., appointed as a Director on  March 29, 2001, to replace Pierre
Faurre following the latter's death. The Board of Directors will also recommend
that the General Meeting elect Paul A. David, Professor at the universities of
Stanford and Oxford, as a Director.

Outlook: the Saint-Gobain Group confirms its target for 2001 a 10% increase in 
net income before profit on sale of non-current assets, provided there is no new
and significant deterioration in the economic environment.

     

                           Investor Relations Department

Tel.: Florence TRIOU-TEIXEIRA [phone] - 
mailto: [e-mail] 

Tel.: Lounis BEKKAT [phone] -     
mailto: [e-mail]
                           Fax: [phone]



Appendix 1:

Key proforma consolidated figures for the years 1999 and 2000 
with Essilor accounted for by the equity method (until Nov. 15,2000)
(in millions of euros)

                                                   1999     2000 est.     change

Net Sales                                        21,290        27,837     +30.8%
Operating Income                                  2,085         2,563     +22.9%
Dividend Income                                      26            24      -7.7%
Interest and other financial charges, net          -298          -594     +99.3%
Non-operating costs                                -185          -157     -15.1%
Income before tax and before capital gains        1,628         1,836     +12.8%
Capital gains                                       457           584     +27.8%
Provision for Income taxes                         -725          -758      +4.6%
Amortization of goodwill                           -122          -171     +40.2%
Share in net results of equity investees             67           103     +53.7%
Net Income before minority interests              1,305         1,594     +22.1%
Minority interests                                  -79           -77      -2.5%
Net income                                        1,226         1,517     +23.7%
Earnings per share (in euros)                     14.05          17.8     +26.7%
Net income excluding capital gains                  883         1,026     +16.2%
Earnings per share excluding capital gains 
 (in euros)                                       10.12         12.04     +19.0%
Cash flow from operations                         2,131         2.530     +18.7%
Capital expenditure on plant and equipment        1,583         1,638      +3.5%
Expenditure on securities                         2,436         3,275     +34.4%
Net debt                                          6,142         8,217     +33.8%



Results by Business Sector, Division and Geographic Area
(in millions of euros)

                                          change on      change on     change on
                                          an actual   a comparable  a comparable
I. SALES               1999      2000     structure      structure     structure

                                              basis                          and
                                                                        currency
                                                                           basis

by sector and 
 division:
Glass (1)            10,217    11,317        +10.8%         +10.0%         +4.3%
Flat Glass            3,718     4,167        +12.1%         +11.8%         +7.8%
Insulation and 
 Reinforcements       2,864     3,254        +13.6%         +11.4%         +4.7%
Containers            3,640     3,906         +7.3%          +7.2%         +0.4%
High Performance 
 Materials & 
 Plastics (1)         4,726     5,073         +7.3%         +16.3%         +6.9%
Ceramics and H.P. 
 Plastics & 
 Abrasives            3,066     4,095        +33.6%         +16.3%         +6.9%
Essilor               1,662       978        -41.1%
Housing Products (1)  8,157    12,596        +54.4%         +10.4%         +6.6%
Building Materials    2,625     3,067        +16.8%         +14.3%         +3.8%
Building 
 Distribution         4,078     7,930        +94.5%         +10.1%        +10.0%
Pipe                  1,605     1,778        +10.8%          +5.6%         +3.2%

internal sales         -306      -360
Group                22,952    28,815        +25.5%         +11.0%         +5.5%

by geographic area:
France                7,631     8,541        +11.9%          +8.7%         +8.7%
Other European 
 Countries            7,561    11,204        +48.2%          +6.1%         +4.7%
North America         5,306     7,002        +32.0%         +17.3%         +1.2%
Rest of the world     1,614     2,148        +33.1%         +31.9%        +14.7%
Essilor               1,662       978        -41.1%
internal sales         -822    -1,058
Group                22,952    28,815        +25.5%         +11.0%         +5.5%

(1) including inter-divisions eliminations


II. OPERATING INCOME                                 1999      2000       change

by sector and division:
Glass                                               1,053     1,227       +16.5%
Flat Glass                                            328       430       +31.1%
Insulation and Reinforcements                         358       423       +18.2%
Containers                                            367       374        +1.9%
High Performance Materials & Plastics                 594       668       +12.5%
Ceramics and H.P. Plastics & Abrasives                365       538       +47.4%
Essilor                                               229       130       -43.2%
Housing Products                                      664       780       +17.5%
Building Materials                                    283       252       -11.0%
Building Distribution                                 252       422       +67.5%
Pipe                                                  129       106       -17.8%
misc.                                                   3        18
Group                                               2,314     2,693       +16.4%

by geographic area:
France                                                701       797       +13.7%
Other European Countries                              602       791       +31.4%
North America                                         607       739       +21.7%
Rest of the world                                     175       236       +34.9%
Essilor                                               229       130       -43.2%
Group                                               2,314     2 693       +16.4%



III. CASH FLOW                                      1999      2000       change

by sector and division:
Glass                                               1,273     1,421       +11.6%
Flat Glass                                            408       489       +19.9%
Insulation and Reinforcements                         389       452       +16.2%
Containers                                            476       480        +0.8%
High Performance Materials & Plastics                 554       582        +5.1%
Ceramics and H.P. Plastics & Abrasives                315       458       +45.4%
Essilor                                               239       124       -48.1%
Housing Products                                      690       702        +1.7%
Building Materials                                    306       273       -10.8%
Building Distribution                                 241       309       +28.2%
Pipe                                                  143       120       -16.1%
misc.                                                -157       -62  
Group                                               2,360     2,643       +12.0%
 
by geographic area:
France                                                526       598       +13.7%
Other European Countries                              761       926       +21.7%
North America                                         566       673       +18.9%
Rest of the world                                     268       322       +20.1%
Essilor                                               239       124       -48.1%
Group                                               2,360     2,643       +12.0%



IV. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE                              1999      2000       change
 ON PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

by sector and division.
Glass                                                 995       961        -3.4%
Flat Glass                                            389       425        +9.3%
Insulation and Reinforcements                         345       258       -25.2%
Containers                                            261       278        +6.5%
High Performance Materials & Plastics                 266       289        +8.6%
Ceramics and H.P. Plastics & Abrasives                137       205       +49.6%
Essilor                                               129        84       -34.9%
Housing Products                                      393       468       +19.1%
Building Materials                                    159       172        +8.2%
Building Distribution                                 145       229       +57.9%
Pipe                                                   89        67       -24.7%
misc.                                                  58         4
Group                                               1,712     1,722        +0.6%

by geographic area:
France                                                398       433        +8.8%
Other European Countries                              653       572       -12.4%
North America                                         320       362       +13.1%
Rest of the world                                     212       271       +27.8%
Essilor                                               129        84       -34.9%
Group                                               1,712     1,722        +0.6%