Holcim

Holcim Hungaria has postponed, until further notice, the construction of a distribution base at Dabas, near Budapest, reflecting the difficult economic situation in that country.

Holcim Indonesia is the country's third-largest cement producer and is aiming for its sales volume to reach 7.3Mt in 2011, up 30% in a year, and is aiming to sell 7.5Mt in 2012. This is running close to the nominal grinding capacity level of 8.2Mt. In 2013, a new US$450m integrated works should come on-stream at Tuban.

The Indian subsidiaries of Holcim, ACC and Ambuja Cements, are looking to increase exports to India in the wake of the fall in the value of the Indian rupee over the past six months. ACC has indicated that it is primarily seeking to boost exports to the Maldives, Mauritius and Bangladesh. Ambuja Cements increased production by 7.3% in December to 1.91Mt, giving a 4.2% improvement for the calendar year to 20.96Mt. Ambuja Cements' deliveries rose by 6% to 1.93Mt in the month of December and by 4.1% to 20.95Mt for the calendar year.

Holcim Ecuador is planning to start the construction of a US$400m investment that should give the company its third towards the end of 2012. This expansion will take place at Guayaquil and will follow directly on the current expansion project there. That should be completed during the first quarter of 2012, taking the annual capacity there from 3.5Mt to 5.4Mt.