Annual Report 09 - Viscofan

22Viscofan TodayLetter from the ChairmanViscofan WorldwideMilestones of Company historyA guide to Viscofan productsGroup structureSignificant shareholdingsBoard of DirectorsOrganisational ChartCorporate StrategyStrategic vectorsCreation of value: market and strategyBusiness performance2009 highlights2009 financial resultsCorporate responsibilityGood governance practicesViscofan in the stock marketHuman resourcesViscofan and customers, a commitmentto quality, service and safety food.Research, development and innovationViscofan and the sustainabilityViscofan S.A. and subsidiariesNotes to the consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Director’s ReportViscofan, S.A.Notes to the Viscofan S.A. financial statementsViscofan S.A Directors’ ReportAnnual corporate governance reportDirectory of Viscofan sitesOur casings represent a clear value proposition for our clients’ operations, helping to increase their productionspeed and reduce production losses, to automate tasks, and to ensure consistency, supply, quality, and hygiene,all of which become key and differentiating elements for each of them.The incorporation of animal protein into the daily diet of the world population has been a strong trend for severalyears now as a result of the globalisation of eating habits, and it pretty much ensures that growth in the artificialcasings market will continue despite the backdrop of global economic crisis.Particularly significant is the development of the artificial casings market in certain emerging regions, such asAsia and Latin America, where as well as faster growing populations than in more developed regions consumerhabits are changing swiftly on the back of globalisation, and the industrialisation economic development of theseareas, which continue to show penetration levels in terms of artificial casings that are far lower than in othermore industrialised countries.The continued advance in the substitution of artificial casings for natural gut is enabling the food industry toproduce sausages with an increasing level of hygiene, productivity, and versatility.SHARE OF ARTIFICIAL CASINGS MARKET (2009) 1Viscofan1st Cellulose2nd Collagen4th FibrousN. 2N. 3N. 4Other1. Includes the cellulose, collagen, fibrous, tubular plastic and bag segmentsSource: Viscofan Group.