Cement News tagged under: Holcim

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Fitch affirms Holcim long-term rating

14 April 2014, Published under Cement News

Following the announcement by Holcim to merge with Lafarge SA, Fitch Ratings has affirmed the Swiss major's Long-term Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) at 'BBB'. The Outlook is Stable. The affirmation reflects the combined group's improved scale, diversification and market positions on completion of their announced merger and the synergy potentials between the two companies. “We forecast funds from operations (FFO) adjusted leverage in excess of 3.5x for the combined group in 2015, compared ...

Argos acquires French Guiana assets

10 April 2014, Published under Cement News

Colombia's largest cement maker, Argos, said on Wednesday it will pay EUR50m to acquire Ciments Guyanias, owned equally by Lafarge and Holcim, just two days after the European majors announced a merger. The purchase includes a 200,000tpa clinker grinding plant and a port, both located in Degrad des Cannes, close to the capital Cayenne. Argos said the move forms part of the company’s objective to consolidate it operational and logistical cement network. The deal is also in keeping with Arg...

Deutsche Bank upgrades Holcim to buy

09 April 2014, Published under Cement News

Deutsche Bank upgrades Holcim to buy from hold and lifts its target price to CHF90 (EUR74) from CHF70  (EUR57) as the upside potential in the building sector should boost cement demand. This "when combined with a transformational deal with Lafarge, which brings global leadership status and hopes for greater market discipline, should make the combined entity a key holding for long term shareholders seeking to increase the beta in their portfolio," say Deutsche Bank analysts.

Moody's places Lafarge's ratings on review for upgrade, changes outlook on Holcim Baa2 rating

08 April 2014, Published under Cement News

Moody's has put Lafarge's Ba1 rating on review for a possible upgrade following the announced merger proposal with Swiss peer Holcim. At the same time, the credit rating's agency has changed its view on Holcim's Baa2 rating to negative from stable. The ratings actions reflect the fact that Holcim has a stronger balance sheet and credit rating than Lafarge. "The merger of Holcim and Lafarge will create the largest and geographically most diversified cement producer worldwide," said Moody's ...

Lafarge and Holcim agree cement merger

07 April 2014, Published under Cement News

Holcim and Lafarge have confirmed today their intention to combine the two companies through a merger of equals, to create a new number one global cement major. Billed as a ‘merger of equals’, Lafarge shareholders will receive one Holcim share for every Lafarge share held. The agreement was unanimously approved by their representative board of directors and fully supported by the core shareholders of both companies, a joint statement released today said. The two companies said they hope to...

Holcim and Lafarge confirm talks on possible merger

04 April 2014, Published under Cement News

Holcim and Lafarge have confirmed that they are in advanced discussions regarding a "possible combination." The world's two leading cement majors said in separate releases that: "given the strong complementarity of their portfolio and the cultural proximity between the two companies, there is rationale in considering a potential merger that could deliver significant benefits to customers, employees and shareholders." "The discussions are based on principles consistent with a merger of equ...

Holcim Spain issues new ERE

02 April 2014, Published under Cement News

Holcim Spain has presented a new record of employment regulation (ERE) that will affect 141 staff. While Holcim is reported by construction organisation Fecoma to have plans to sell its Gádor (Almería) cement works, the ERE mainly affects workers in the concrete mortar and aggregates divisions. The adjustment in its workforce is part of ongoing changes made in recent years by several Spanish cement makers, including Cemex and Cementos Portland. Spain’s cement sector has made considerab...

A TEC & Ferro Duo to offer Holcim complete solution for bypass dust treatment

01 April 2014, Published under Cement News

A TEC, in collaboration with raw materials company Ferro Duo GmbH and Holcim's Rohožník plant in Slovakia, are now able to provide a complete solution for the recovery of bypass dust in the cement industry for various conditions. In recent years, A TEC has engaged in technologies for the use of alternative fuels, chlorine bypasses and the re-use and recycling of bypass dust in cooperation with Holcim. Ferro Duo has has vast experience in the recovery and processing of cement and steel indus...

Ambuja gets nod for merger with Holcim India

27 March 2014, Published under Cement News

The High Courts of New Delhi and Gujarat have given Ambuja Cements the green light to merge with Holcim India – paving the way for the ACC-Ambuja restructuring process announced by the parent company in July last year. In a two stage deal, Ambuja will first acquire, through a purchase, a 24 per cent stake in  Holcim India for a cash consideration of INR35,000m (US$~600m), followed by a stock merger between Holcim India and Ambuja.

Holcim suspends Joliette investment

27 March 2014, Published under Cement News

Holcim said it would suspend its CAD250m (US$225m) investment to expand capacity at its Joliette works in Canada given the potential economic uncertainty caused by the new Port-Daniel-Gascons cement works in Gaspésie, Québec, local press have reported. The Québec government recently awarded a CAD250m grant and tax benefits for 10 years to the greenfield project by McInnis Ciment. "We put the project on hold until we know really what impact the arrival of the new plant. We do not want to p...