Saint-Gobain has signed an agreement for the sale of its US-based Fibre Cement business to Plycem USA, a subsidiary of Elementia of Mexico in which Lafarge holds 47 per cent of shares in its 2Mta Cementos Fortaleza plant.

This business is part of Saint-Gobain's Exterior Products activity of the construction products segment. It manufactures and sells fibre cement siding, trim and accessory products for the US and Canadian residential and commercial construction markets. The business employs close to 250 people and has three production sites in the United States: Roaring River (NC), Terre Haute (IN) and White City (OR).

With this divestment, Saint-Gobain's Exterior Products Siding business will focus its efforts on its vinyl and polymer shake siding cladding businesses that hold prominent positions in the North American exterior cladding market.

This transaction is expected to be finalised in the 1Q14, subject to standard closing conditions.