Cement News tagged under: Holcim

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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...

Fitch Affirms Holcim rating, outlook stable

13 March 2014, Published under Cement News

Fitch Ratings has affirmed the Long-term Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) of Swiss cement major of Holcim as at BBB. The outlook is stable. The ratings agency said the affirmation reflects Holcim's leading market positions as one of the world's largest cement producers and its improving financial profile. The group reduced leverage to 3.5x in 2013 from 4.2x in 2011 (on a fully consolidated basis), supported by in excess of CHF1bn in non-core net asset disposals over the past two years. Earning...

Jaypee reportedly in talks to sell Panipat grinding unit

11 March 2014, Published under Cement News

Holcim, via its ACC arm, is in preliminary acquire the Jaypee Group’s grinding unit in Panipat, Haryana state, two sources familiar with the situation told the Economic Times of India. The move would expand Holcim’s presence in the north of the country. ACC has a cement plant in nearby Himachal Pradesh, and if JP’s grinding unit is absorbed it would be “beneficial logistically and even in terms of costs,” the ET quoted one source as saying. A domestic player based in the north of the count...

Mixed full-year performance for Holcim

28 February 2014, Published under Cement News

Holcim reported a mixed performance in 2013 as attributable profit doubled while turnover declined. Overall volumes were down due to weaknesses in key emerging markets, but European shipments were finally on the up. For the full year Holcim’s turnover declined by 6.8 per cent to CHF19,719m (US$22,349m). Operating EBITDA edged ahead by 0.2 per cent to CHF3896m, though ignoring last year’s restructuring there was a 5.6 per cent reduction. Trading profit rose by 34.8 per cent to CHF2357m but w...

Holcim's full-year volumes down, net income rises on Leadership Journey initiatives

26 February 2014, Published under Cement News

Holcim reported saw volumes decline in its cement, aggregates and ready-mix concrete segments in 2013, but operating EBITDA margin and net income increased due to the implementation of the Holcim Leadership Journey. Full-year net sales were down 6.8 per cent to CHF19.72bn, but increased on a like-for-like basis by 0.2 per cent. The group reported that it was significantly harder to implement price increases in various markets than in the previous year. The Swiss franc exchange rate rose in...