CSR: Focus on Plastic Omnium's responsible entrepreneurship

29-10-2018 Act For All

Plastic Omnium’s CSR approach is constantly improving. Three areas of focus were identified following a materiality analysis carried out involving 18 stakeholders. Focus on the first of them: responsible entrepreneurship.

Responsible entrepreneurship for business ethics and greater competitiveness.

Uncompromising ethics

By signing the United Nations Global Compact in 2003, Plastic Omnium demonstrated its commitment for making ethics one of the pillars of its operations. Since then, the Group has distributed codes of good conduct for all, as well as ethical management codes for buyers and sales representatives. In 2017, nearly 900 employees received training to protect them from fraud, corruption and competition law violations. 52 independent internal audits, scheduled or surprise, were conducted to ensure compliance with these rules.

An ethic shared with its suppliers

4,000 suppliers already signed the supplier charter deployed by Plastic Omnium in 2016. All are committed to respecting the principles of the United Nations Global Compact and to ensuring that their own partners respect them. They are regularly controlled.

An ethics that integrates data

Protecting systems and data is crucial. To detect risky behaviour in real time, Plastic Omnium has recently set up a Cyber Defense Department and a monitoring center in its departments.

Plastic Omnium’s international values

To be a responsible group is also to be a human group and to encourage people to help each other. With its strong roots and values, Plastic Omnium contributes to the promotion of French culture through corporate philanthropy initiatives in France and Europe.

As an innovative automotive equipment supplier, the Group also supports science: universities and other recognized institutions, and revolutionary actions such as the Race for Water odyssey.

In its 26 countries, Plastic Omnium supports local philanthropy to be as useful as possible to economic and social realities. For example, in 2017 during the earthquake in Mexico, Plastic Omnium sites organized to collect basic necessities and donations for the victims.

To learn more about Plastic Omnium’s CSR approach, consult the Responsibilities and Commitments Report.

Revenue at September 30, 2018: €5,858 million, +3.6%

25-10-2018 Finance

Strategic positioning of the Group as an automotive pure player with the acquisition of the world leader of front-end modules, HBPO, and the on-going disposal of the Environment Division.

Revenue¹ growth of 3.6% over the first nine months of the year and 15.7% over the third quarter.

Considering the evolution of market conditions, the Group forecasts for 2018 (and in comparison to 2017 IFRS 5 data):
– a growth in revenue¹ of at least 5% (ie proforma⁴ revenue¹ of around €8.9 billion euros);
– a 2018 operating result comparable to that of 2017;
– a sharp increase in net result group share following scope effects;
– a triple-digit free cash-flow.

Investor Day held on December 13, 2018 at ?-Alphatech (Compiègne, France) to present the Group’s growth and innovation strategy in its new scope of activities.

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To listen to the replay of the conference, click here

Glossary
¹ The economic revenue reflects the Group’s operational and managerial reality. It corresponds to the consolidated sales plus the sales of the Group’s joint ventures at the Group’s percentage stake: BPO (50%) and YFPO (50%) and HBPO for 33.33% until its full consolidation on July 1st, 2018.
⁴ Proforma economic revenue includes 100% of Plastic Omnium Modules’ revenue at January 1st, 2018 and does not include Plastic Omnium Environment’s revenue.

CSR: Plastic Omnium 7th automotive suppliers worldwide and 3rd in Europe

22-10-2018 Act For All

In 2017, non-financial rating agency RobecoSAM put Plastic Omnium in 7th place among automotive suppliers worldwide and 3rd place in Europe with a rating of 65/100, a 10-point increase from 2015. Discover the 10 key dates that have defined Plastic Omnium’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

Plastic Omnium and its CSR

Because industrial activities have an impact on people and the environment, it is essential that an organization such as Plastic Omnium be part of a sustainable development approach. For this reason, and for the past 15 years, the company has taken concrete initiatives to continuously improve itself. The RobecoSAM rating, which places Plastic Omnium in 7th place worldwide among automotive suppliers and 3rd in Europe, reflects the Group’s ongoing efforts.

10 key dates to define Plastic Omnium’s CSR

2001 : ISO 14 001 certification and EHS management
2003 : Engagement in United Nations Global Compact

This commitment is a major milestone in Plastic Omnium’s CSR commitment and guides the company’s actions, such as the internal “code of conduct” or the “Supplier Charter”. Initiated by Kofi Annan in July 2000, it is a voluntary commitment program in which companies are invited to respect ten universally accepted principles relating to human rights, employment standards, environment and the anti-corruption fight. Each year, members must certify the implementation of these principles in a “report on progress”.

2006 : OHSAS 18001 certification
2008 : CO² emissions management ; Chemicals management ; Top Planet program
2009 : Risk management
2012 : Engagement with communities (Focus Hope, Magic Bus projects)
2013 : ISO 50001 certification
2015 : CSR performance assessment by independent third parties
2016 : Supplier CSR Charter
2017 : Signature of French Business Climate Pledge ; Appointment of a CSR Manager ; Performance of a materiality analysis.

Keep growing respecting people and the environment

65/100 or 13/20 is good, especially since RobecoSAM’s overall automotive sector ratings have dropped from 9.8/20 in 2015 to 8.4/20 in 2017. To improve this score and to improve our practices, the effort will continue year after year.

To learn more about Plastic Omnium’s global CSR approach, download the document Responsibilities and Commitments.

Worldmap and ranking of Plastic Omnium

Back to Plastic Omnium at the Paris Motor Show

17-10-2018 Expertise

As an automotive parts manufacturer, Plastic Omnium attended the 2018 Paris Motor Show. These two weeks were marked by official events and visits where Plastic Omnium’s innovations for the clean and connected car of the future seduced. Click on “Read more” to watch the video.

Plastic Omnium’s booth at the Paris Motor Show

A part of the booth was dedicated to Intelligent Exterior Systems and modules, the other to Clean Energy Systems. Plastic Omnium’s three businesses were linked by its concept car of the future – the Living Body. Its intelligent exterior combines lightness, aerodynamics and light signatures to connect with its environment. On the propulsion side, it is equipped with two hydrogen tanks and a fuel cell that converts hydrogen into electricity for a no-CO² emission mobility.

Interactive animations were added to Plastic Omnium models and products, inviting visitors to take quizzes or participate in mini-games. The goal is to understand the way each Plastic Omnium solution works and the advantages of each for the clean and connected mobility of the future. Meetings with clients, associations and public figures followed one another in a cordial atmosphere.

Plastic Omnium at Mondial.Tech

As a sponsor and jury of Mondial.Tech, in the Material & Weight Reduction category, Plastic Omnium has attended the demonstrations of many Startups. The winner in the category is Gazelle Tech, the leading manufacturer of composite peri-urban vehicles. This event offers the opportunity for mobility actors of all sizes to imagine new collaborations.

Talents for future of automobile

At the “MonJob @ FuturAuto” HR event, Plastic Omnium met more than 200 students from French engineering schools in partnership with the SIA (Société des Ingénieurs de l’Automobile) to offer them internships or apprenticeships.

On the same day, Plastic Omnium’s sponsors were present on the Group’s booth alongside the Elles bougent association. Its ambition is to strengthen gender diversity in companies in the industrial and technological sectors and to encourage young girls to pursue careers in engineering.

On the agenda for this day: guided tours by the sponsors on the partners’ stands, and the conference “Women Show: the car, a profession for girls”! “with testimonies from committed women and men. Isabelle Valentin Bianco, Development Director Europe at Plastic Omnium, presented “the evolution of our businesses and the new opportunities offered to women in our sector”.

This day, which was closed by the intervention of Elisabeth Borne, Minister of Transport, brought together 150 high school and university students and 60 female sponsors specializing in automotive and mobility engineering, 16 of whom are from Plastic Omnium.

Sponsor of the Château de Versailles and the Centre Pompidou

17-10-2018 Act For All

October was highlighted by two major events in the world of art for which Plastic Omnium is sponsor: the restoration of the “Salle du Sacre” at the Château de Versailles and the inauguration of the “Le Cubisme” exhibition at the Centre Pompidou.

Promoting Plastic Omnium’s values

Plastic Omnium is proud of its French roots and its DNA as a pioneer and family company. The company supports initiatives that bring its values to life around the world. Patron of the Château de Versailles and the Centre Pompidou, October 2018, is marked by the completion of two projects to which Plastic Omnium contributed: the restoration of the “Salle du Sacre” at the Château de Versailles and the exhibition “Le Cubisme” to visit at the Centre Pompidou de Paris.

Restoration of the “Salle du Sacre” of the Château de Versailles

The public establishment of the Château, Museum and National Estate of Versailles wished to include in its work plan the restoration of the Salle du Sacre and its painted decorations, located on the first floor of the central body of the Château de Versailles. Its restoration is being undertaken on the occasion of the major exhibition devoted to Louis-Philippe and Versailles, which will be presented at the Château de Versailles until 4 February 2019.

Inauguration of the exhibition Le Cubisme at the Centre Pompidou

The Centre Pompidou offers an original crossing and a complete panorama of one of the founding movements of the history of modern art: cubism (1907-1917).

The first exhibition devoted to this movement in France since 1953, it is rich in 300 pieces and significant documents on the influence of Cubism. They stand out from the masterpieces as well as groups of paintings and sculptures never assembled. Through a journey that informs the general public of the key concepts, tools and procedures that have ensured the unity of cubism, the exhibition highlights the experimental and collective character of this movement, whose revolutionary aesthetics is both the matrix and the language itself of modernity. Exhibition is open until February 25, 2019.

To learn more about Plastic Omnium’s CSR approach, consult the report Responsibilities and Commitments.

a painting of an illustration of exhibition Louis Philippe And Versailles

Cubism art

Video: discover how Plastic Omnium fuel cells propel "Race for Water”

12-10-2018 Innovation

The Race for Water boat, powered by renewable energies, travels the world to raise awareness to fight plastic pollution in the oceans and promote the energy transition. Watch this video showing how Plastic Omnium is supporting the boat’s adventure with its fuel cells that transform hydrogen into electricity. You can also meet the Race For Water boat on our booth at the Paris Motor Show until October 14th.

The Race for Water odyssey is involved in finding solutions to prevent plastic waste, which today constitutes 80% of marine waste, from reaching the oceans. The aim is to help to recover plastic waste by drawing inspiration from social entrepreneurship and the circular economy. The Race for Water Foundation has thus devised a way to transform wild plastics into energy in order to interest the populations affected by this pollution in their collection, as they already are for the collection of many materials, such as aluminium, paper, cardboard or glass.

Plastic Omnium is committed to protecting the environment

Symbolically, it also sensitizes the world’s population to the need to make the transition to energy with its revolutionary boat powered by solar, wind and hydrogen energy. Indeed, Plastic Omnium fuel cells, thanks to the desalination of seawater, allow the ship to move forward with a 0 impact on the environment. Discover the process by watching this video.

Race for Water at the 2018 Paris Motor Show

To discover the mock-up of the Race for Water odyssey boat and watch this film again, visit our stand at the 2018 Paris Motor Show until October 14.

Follow the odyssey of the Race for Water Foundation

Leaving Lorient in 2017, the Race for Water boat will be back home in 2021 after a final visit to Tokyo in 2020. Follow on our website the main steps and its journey on the expedition’s blog.

Photo credit : Peter Charaf

A look back at the professional days of the 2018 Paris Motor Show

09-10-2018 Innovation

On 2 and 3 October at the Paris Motor Show, the event was exclusively reserved for industry professionals and journalists. A look back at these two days, punctuated by Plastic Omnium’s press conference and the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron.

Plastic Omnium press conference confirms the targets set

In a growing and rapidly changing global automotive market, Plastic Omnium’s innovations continue to focus on sustainable mobility. This positive message was the beginning of the press conference. Innovation, at the heart of Plastic Omnium’s DNA, is supported by the Group’s R&D investments to develop the clean and connected car of tomorrow.

Intelligent Exterior Systems Innovation

Plastic Omnium offers intelligent systems made of thermoplastic and composite materials (Smart Bumper, Smart Panel,…) able to let complex waves work through. This feature allows radars, which are essential to the connected car, to be protected from the elements as well as to carry out their mission while preserving the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle. These thermoplastic materials will even be able, in the near future, to integrate these radars into their material, thus giving free rein to the creativity of car designers.The Smart Tailgate, stylish and 30% lighter, benefits from aerodynamic systems to reduce CO² emissions by 2.5g. Equipped with a “Touch & Open” surface, it is also communicating and disseminates welcoming or security messages.

Clean Energy Systems Innovation to reduce the carbon impact of vehicles on the environment

With “Water Injection” 15% of CO² consumption and emissions are reduced while boosting engine performance. Also on booth the Tanktronik®, tank for the plug-in hybrid vehicle, which is expected to grow strongly. Plastic Omnium also invests in research into fuel cells and hydrogen. With this technology, vehicles do not emit CO2, only water vapour. Quick to recharge, they offer in only 3 minutes up to 800 km of autonomy. A solution as positive for the planet as it is interesting for manufacturers. The objective is to develop a system at a price equivalent to a current combustion engine in the long term.

Modular innovation

On the modules and front-end, Plastic Omnium relies on HBPO, its 66.67%-owned subsidiary. HBPO’s expertise allows up to 70 components to be integrated into a front end module and offers a high degree of model modularity: up to 3000 different configurations can be achieved per model.

The visit of the French President Emmanuel Macron

On October 3, Laurent Burelle presented President Emmanuel Macron, visiting the Paris Motor Show, with Plastic Omnium’s latest innovations to promote the clean and connected mobility of tomorrow.

The Paris Motor Show is open until October 14th, it is now time to try out our innovations. RDV Hall 1 – Booth 315 at Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles.

Photo credits – Matthew Oliver

Clean and connected mobility at the heart of PLASTIC OMNIUM’s stand at the Paris Motor Show

02-10-2018 Innovation

Plastic Omnium, world leader in intelligent automotive exterior systems, clean energy systems and complex modules, presents its latest solutions for clean and connected mobility at the Paris Motor Show.

A major player in the transition towards clean mobility, with solutions to:

• in the short term, achieve the CO2 reduction targets for vehicles set for 2021: reduction in vehicle weight, active and passive aerodynamic optimization solutions and specific electronically managed tanks for plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV);

• in the longer term, aim for entirely decarbonized mobility, thanks to the fuel cell (up to 800 km autonomy with zero emissions).

Essential know-how for manufacturing an autonomous, connected vehicle:

• expertise in function integration: up to 50 high technology components incorporated into a bumper to increase human perception, and make driving simpler and safer.

• mastery in complex materials whose physical properties make them permeable to the waves from embedded equipment for autonomous driving (radars, lidars).

A Group that has made innovation a priority

Plastic Omnium, with 31,000 employees in 122 plants in 26 countries, employs over 3,500 engineers in 24 R&D centers worldwide. The Group dedicates 6.4% of its revenue to Research and Development and is investing €100 million in the construction or extension to 3 R&D centers (France, Belgium and China).

Plastic Omnium already has an eco-system of start-ups, partnerships with major universities and a Scientific Analysis Committee, bringing together internationally recognized experts in the areas of artificial intelligence, predictive data analysis and wave propagation.

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Plastic Omnium will attend the 2018 Paris Motor Show

19-09-2018 Innovation

Save the date! Plastic Omnium will attend the Paris Motor Show from October 4 to 14, 2018 in Paris Porte de Versailles. For nearly two weeks, you will have the opportunity to discover and experience our latest innovations. Visit us Hall 1 – Stand 315.

Plastic Omnium at the 2018 Paris Motor Show

It is essential to continue to reduce the weight of exterior body parts – by maximizing performance – and to develop CO²-free solutions. This objective drives the creation of more respectful mobility for the environment, which is already being seen with the introduction of hybrid and electric vehicles. New technologies allow us to continuously improve the driver experience for more design, sustainability and greater safety.

The 2018 Paris Motor Show: a prime event

As a partner of 83 international automotive brands, Plastic Omnium could not miss the 120th anniversary of the World Motor Show. Are you curious to understand how a hybrid car works with a hydrogen fuel cell? Would you like to put your hand on our tactile tailgate and watch a trunk open or close at this simple touch? Visit stand 315 in Hall 1 to discover Plastic Omnium’s intelligent systems for the clean and connected car of tomorrow.

Press contacts

Adeline Mickeler
Executive Vice-President Communications
Tel.: +33 (0)1 40 87 64 00
By e-mail

DGM Conseil – Tarick Dali
Tel.: +33 (0)1 40 70 11 89
By e-mail

Share capital reduction of 0.74% through the cancellation of treasury stock

26-07-2018 Finance

The Board of Directors of Compagnie Plastic Omnium, in a meeting held on July 19th, 2018, decided to proceed to the cancellation of 1,110,613 treasury shares, representing 0.74% of the share capital of the company.

This operation was completed today.

As a result of this operation, the share capital of Compagnie Plastic Omnium is reduced from 150,976,720 ordinary shares to 149,866,107 ordinary shares with a par value of €0.06, ie. an amount of €8,991,966.42.

The holding company Burelle SA increases its control from 57.57% to 58%.

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First-half 2018: Further improvement in results

20-07-2018 Finance

Major strategic advances
Proposed disposal of the Environment business

Plastic Omnium, an innovative company employing more than 3,200 engineers in 24 R&D centers worldwide, dedicates 6.4% of revenue to Research & Development, supplemented by a further 1.5% spent on investment in technologies. Over the next two years, the Group will therefore be allocating 1.2 billion euros in R&D for a safer, more connected and cleaner car.

Now exclusively focused on the development of automotive activity after the expected sale of its Environment business in the second half-year, Plastic Omnium is also underpinning its leadership through structuring acquisitions, the latest in line being the operational controlling stake in the German company, HBPO, the world leader in the production of front-end modules posting revenue of over 2 billion euros.

Backed by a wide-ranging client portfolio (82 client brands), worldwide presence (122 plants in 26 countries) and technologies, Plastic Omnium is speeding up its profitable growth strategy for the production of intelligent exterior systems and clean energy systems, together with the assembly of complex modules for the car of the future.

Looking to the future with confidence, the Group can confirm that 2018 results will again show further growth.

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2018 Interim results presentation 2018 Interim results report

To view the replay of the Webcast, click here

Proposed sale of the Environment business

19-07-2018 Act For All

On July 19, 2018, Compagnie Plastic Omnium signed a put option with the consortium made up of Latour Capital and Bpifrance (Banque publique d’investissement) for the sale of its subsidiary Plastic Omnium Environment BV. The closing of this operation is expected by the end of 2018.

The Environment business – which is Compagnie Plastic Omnium’s founding business – is the European leader in the containerization of waste. Standalone, profitable and cash-generating, with 6 plants in France, Germany and Spain, an R&D center, a customer service center recently inaugurated at Saint Priest (France), and with the large network of agencies and service desks serving 8,000 customers, this business generates an annual revenue exceeding €330 million, thanks to a broad range of products and services dedicated to waste management (wheeled bins for household waste, collection banks, composters, underground and semi-underground containers; maintenance, washing, surveys and implementation, data management, incentive-based invoicing systems, etc.). Plastic Omnium Environment employs 1,800 people operating across 12 countries.

Plastic Omnium is committed to choose a buyer who understands the businesses of its Environment activity, who has developed an ambitious industrial project both for France and internationally and who is in line with its culture of excellence.

This disposal project will be subject to the procedures involving employee representatives in the countries concerned and must be submitted to the relevant competition authorities.

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Plastic Omnium finalizes its reinforced stake in HBPO, world leader in front-end modules

26-06-2018 Expertise

Having obtained authorization from the relevant competition authorities, Plastic Omnium today completed the acquisition of the German Group, Mahle’s 33.33% equity investment in the joint venture, HBPO, up to now held equally by Plastic Omnium, Hella and Mahle-Behr.

Plastic Omnium now owns 66.66% of HBPO.
This acquisition was signed for an enterprise value of €350M, financed from the Group’s own resources.
HBPO is the world leader in the development, assembly and logistics of automotive front-end modules with 20% of worldwide market shares.

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The champions of the stock exchange

20-06-2018 Finance

On June 19, 2018, Laurent Burelle received for the second year in a row the Stock Exchange Champions Award, by Investir magazine for the best SBF 120 stock market performance over 10 years. The ceremony took place in Paris.

François Monnier, Managing Editor of Investir, Laurent Burelle, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Plastic Omnium, Matthias Baccino CEA France of Binck and Rémy Le Bailly, Editor-in-Chief of the Investir magazine.

Plastic Omnium wins two awards – CLEPA and its customer Hyundai – for its smart fuel system for plug-in hybrid vehicles

14-06-2018 Innovation

On 13 June, CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, presented its 2018 environmental innovation award to Plastic Omnium for the Tanktronic^® system. The smart fuel system for plug-in hybrid vehicles has been developed over the past nine years by the Group and for which 212 patents have been filed. The prize is awarded by an independent jury made up of leading figures in the automotive sector.

On 15 May of this year, Plastic Omnium received the Hyundai Superior Technology Supplier award for the fuel system used in Hyundai Ioniq and Kia Niro plug-in hybrid vehicles, which have been produced in Korea since the end of 2016.

Tanktronic^®, 40% lighter than its metal equivalent and is fitted with internal and external stiffeners to manage fuel vapor pressure variations when the vehicle is operating in electric mode. The electronically controlled system is both efficient and energy-saving and thus helps reduce vehicle emissions.

These two awards reflect the success of Plastic Omnium’s innovative range of products for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which is expected to account for more than 7 million vehicles in 2025, up from 0.5 million in 2017.

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