CHARENTON-LE-PONT- France--For the six months ended June 30, 2005, Essilor International reported a 6.7 percent increase in sales to 1,182.9 million euros. Consolidated sales as of June 30 were up 7.9 percent excluding the currency effect, and 4.7 percent on a like-for-like basis.

Acquisitions made in 2004 and first-half 2005 added 3.2 percent of Essilor sales growth, while the currency effect eased to a negative 1.1 percent following the rise in the dollar against the euro.

Essilor attributed its organic growth to a strong second quarter, with like-for-like sales growth of 8.1 percent following the turnaround in Europe as well as very good demand in other regions plus an increase in sales of high value-added lenses combined with a significant rise in volumes.

New product launches such as a new range of Transitions photochromic lenses made of 1.67 high-index plastic and polycarbonate, also helped boost sales, as did the rollout of the Crizal Alizé anti-reflective/smudge-proof treatment in Asia and the worldwide launch of Varilux Ellipse small-frame progressive lenses.

Essilor’s European sales reached 563.2 million euros for first-half 2005 versus 541.2 million euros for the year-ago period, a 4.1 percent increase. North American sales grew to 490.4 million euros for the period versus 457.2 million euros a year-ago, up 7.3 percent.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the company generated sales of 95 million euros, up 12.7 percent from the same period in 2004. Latin American sales climbed to 34.2 million euros, up 33.9 percent from a year ago.