New production facility for Nxt

Intercast Europe's new production facility will start operations in January 2006 in order to meet the growing demand and potential of Nxt (a registered trademark of Intercast Europe).

The new operation, as a result of a 12 million Euros investment by Intercast, will be exclusively devoted to the production of lenses and sheets made in Nxt, polarized and photochromic lenses.

This considerable achievement is one aspect of a wider medium and long-term investments plan that Intercast Europe is implementing to support the research and development of new formulations and applications for the Nxt material.

Intercast Europe's global strategy also includes a considerable communication effort aimed at enhancing the Nxt brand's visibility.

Moreover, the investment of a substantial part of the company's advertising budget in a communication planning targeted to the final consumer is likely to be increased in 2006 through co-advertising actions conceived in partnership with major members of the Nxt Club. This advertising strategy directed to the final consumer is parallel to Intercast's traditional advertising and promotional actions targeted to the international trade press.