CRH interested in HeidelbergCement US and Belgian units

CRH has expressed an interest in acquiring HeidelbergCement’s US and Belgian assets. The Germany-based company is expected to divest in such units to comply with the requirements set by competition authorities for its acquisition of Italcementi.

"US cement is of interest to us and we're fully aware of the asset that may spin out of the potential acquisition," Mr Manifold said. "With regards to Belgium, it's a prime asset and certainly it would make a good fit with our businesses, providing the value is right."

CRH is also reportedly in the race to acquire a US$1.5bn Indian cement business currently up for sale by LafargeHolcim.

"I'm always interested to open the paper and see what businesses we're bidding on . . . people are trying to talk up competition on deals. We're probably in 10 per cent of the stuff we're associated with," Mr Manifold said.