Votorantim Cimentos sees gains in Brazil, USA

Votorantim Cimentos’ turnover was nine per cent higher at BRL9800m (US$4.85bn) in 2012 and the EBITDA improved by around 11 per cent to BRL3200m. 

In Brazil, both volumes and prices were up by four per cent, while in North America volumes improved by 17 per cent and prices by 12 per cent. 

"The combination of a favorable market alongside the opening of new factories and mills allowed a four per cent increase in sales volume in Brazil, reaching 24Mt. The average price of cement rose four per cent in the year to reach BRL22/t [US$10.88]," the company said in a statement.

The 16.3Mt of cement capacity acquired from the division of the Cimpor assets between Votorantim and Camargo Corrêa will only have an impact from the beginning of 2013. In Brazil, an additional 3.1Mta of cement capacity was commissioned. Furthermore, Votorantim Cimentos' interest in Cenentos Artigas in Uruguay was increased from 38.4 per cent to 51 per cent, making it a subsidiary and also Itacamba in Bolivia, which is 66.7 per cent owned by Cenentos Artigas.