21. Inventories

Inventories are analyzed as follows:

(thousands of Euro)

12.31.2008

12.31.2007

Raw materials, other materials and consumables

94,610

90,705

Work in progress and semi-finished products

50,786

49,556

Finished products

211,170

193,709

Advances to suppliers

2,372

2,093

Total

358,938

336,063

The valuation of closing inventories at weighted average cost is not appreciably different from their value at current purchase cost.

Inventories are stated net of the write-down provision. Movements in the write-down provision are as follows:

(thousands of Euro)

12.31.2007

Additions

Uses

Translation differences and other movements

12.31.2008

Raw materials, other materials and consumables

4,908

6,432

(4,780)

(122)

6,438

Work in progress and semi-finished products

530

1,330

(530)

-

1,330

Finished products

17,661

11,978

(14,211)

1,389

16,817

Total

23,099

19,740

(19,521)

1,267

24,585