On a like-for-like basis, the 2.3% organic growth in North America was offset by the 2.5% drop in sales in France and by the 4.3% drop in Western Europe, while sales in Asia and in emerging countries fell 0.1% compared to 2011.
By business sector, innovative materials saw a 4.4% drop in sales on a like-for-like basis. Construction products fell 1.7%, and building distribution saw a 2% drop in like-for-like sales.
In 2012 the French group's net income fell 40.3% to €766 million as 2012 saw a further general slowdown in economies across Europe, according to chairman and CEO Pierre-André de Chalendar.
Operating income, which fell 16.3% to €2.88 billion in 2012, is expected to recover in the second half of 2013.
After saving €520 million through cost-cutting measures in 2012, the group is now targeting €1.10 billion through its cost-cutting programme for 2013 instead of the €750 million initially forecast.
