First half results for Solvay SA, the Belgian soda ash giant, show that the group's net income rose by 19%, compared to the first half of 2003, with a total income amounting to Euros 236M. This result reflects favourable trends seen throughout all the sectors of the company. Most notably, results from Plastics & Processing improved over the first six months showing increases of 45% and 5% respectively. Additionally, sales in the first six months of 2004 were up 1%. At constant exchange rates, sales would have increased by 4% in the first half of 2004 and 6% in the second quarter of 2004. The Chemicals sector is the only area where results were lower than those observed in the same period of 2003. These decreases reflect the intense competition within the global market.
