May 14, 2002Management

Around 92% of the share capital of Glaverbel owned by Asahi Glass (AGC)

Tokyo/Brussels, May13, 2002. At the end of the public offer, which was reopened between April 15 and May 6, 2002, Asahi Glass Co., Ltd (J.AHG) holds, directly and indirectly, 92.11% of the share capital of Glaverbel (GLAB.BRU). 26,723 convertible bonds in total were also tendered, which represents 98.99% of the total issued.

"This is an appreciable result", said Mr. Masayuki Kamiya, Director Corporate Planning of AGC. "We are very pleased to see that virtually all historical shareholders of Glaverbel recognised the unique opportunity that our offer presented. Based on our information, the remaining shares are essentially held by a limited number of institutional investors who have invested in Glaverbel after the announcement of the offer and finally preferred to retain their shares. Since our tender offer does not bring our ownership at 95% of the Glaverbel shares a squeeze-out of all outstanding shares cannot be organized at this stage. Together with the management of Glaverbel, we are now looking forward to further implementing the next phase of our global restructuring plan."

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Asahi Glass Company, Ltd manufactures and sells a variety of glass products. Main products include flat glass for construction, glass for cathode-ray tubes, and glass for automobiles. The Company also produces electronic parts, fine chemicals, and new ceramics. In 2001 the group posted net sales of USD 10.5 billion. Further information on the Company can be found at https://www.agc.com/en/.

Related Information

Asahi Glass decided to make a public tender offer
for shares in Glaverbel S.A.
(December 19, 2001)

For further information:
Kiyotsugu Suzuki, AGC Investor Relations, Corporate Planning Division
TEL: + 81-3- 3218-5240