Holcim’s turnover advanced 2.5 per cent to CHF21,653m and 12.5 per cent in euro terms to €15,691m in 2010. The Asia-Pacific region represented 35.3 per cent of group turnover, against 29.3 per cent for Europe, 15.5 per cent for Latin America, 14.6 per cent for North America and 14.6 per cent and 4.9 per cent for Africa/Middle East. Cement shipments from the 156 plants increased 3.6 per cent to 136.7Mt and that of other binders 17.1 per cent to 4.1Mt. Holcim is cement market leader in India, Latin America, Australia, Switzerland, Slovakia and Azerbaijan and has strong market positions elsewhere, notably in Europe, North America and Asia.
Holcim’s operating EBITDA was down by 2.5 per cent to CHF4513m, but, expressed in euros, there was a 6.7 per cent increase to €3270m. Trading profit declined 5.8 per cent to CHF2619m (€1898m) and the net attributable profit fell by 19.6 per cent at CHF1182m (€857m). The proceeds from the sale of emission rights, all in Europe, amounted to CHF95m, compared with CHF90m in 2009. Net debt at the end of the year was 17.9 per cent lower at CHF11363m (€9090m) to give a gearing level of 53.8 per cent, compared with 62.8 per cent a year earlier.
Capital investment was reduced by 30.9 per cent last year to CHF1592m (€1274m). The reduction was essentially in expansion capital investment, which dropped by 38.7 per cent to CHF1182m (€946m), while maintenance expenditure rose by one per cent to CHF410m (€328m).
