Saint-Gobain has just finalized the acquisition of Turkey-based Atlas Zimpara, a long-standing partner of Saint-Gobain Abrasives. Headquartered in Istanbul, Atlas Zimpara has a coated abrasives processing plant in Gebze, an industrial area close to Istanbul. The company offers a broad spectrum of products for the industrial supplies, automotive repair and building markets in Turkey.

This investment strengthens Saint-Gobain's presence in Turkey. The Group recently began operating a new organic grinding wheel plant at EskiÅŸehir, 300km south-east of Istanbul. This plant is a leading site in terms of equipment and serves the Turkish market as well as the Middle East and Central Asia.

This development in Turkey enables the Abrasives business to effectively serve customers from a local industrial base and marks an important stage in the Group's development in fast-growing countries.