Holcim


The two Holcim-controlled Indian companies ACC and Ambuja Cements produced their 2009 results in early February. ACC saw its turnover decline by 3.9% to INR7717 crore (€1234.3m) and the pre-tax profit fell by 31.4% to INR1812 crore (€298.8m) and the pre-tax profit dropped by 51.2% to INR1120 crore (€179.28m). Cement deliveries were 0.9% lower at 21.3. The cement production was 0.1% lower at 21.38Mt, which represents a drop in plant utilisation from 91% to 77%, with the capacity now standing at 30Mt, a 4m tonne increase over the past year. Ambuja Cements now owns 47.92% of the ACC equity, with Holcim International holding a further 0.29%.

Ambuja Cements increased turnover by 4.4% to INR7390 crore (€1182.0m) but the EBITDA declined by 1.1% to INR1951 crore (€312.1m) and the running pre-tax profit came off by 9.3% to INR1635 crore (€261.5m). While input costs rose in the year, clinker purchases were reduced from 1.7Mt to 0.36Mt, thanks to the commissioning of additional capacity early last year. Total cement and clinker shipments rose by 8.2% to 20.3Mt. Domestic deliveries advanced by 8.0% to 19.5Mt while exports were down by 33.3% to 0.50Mt. In addition, there were clinker sales amounting to 0.34Mt in 2010 against none in the previous year. With the commissioning of additional grinding capacity at the Bhatapara and Maratha works later this year, the annual capacity should increase to 27Mt.