Group cement deliveries were 4.0% lower at 12.1Mt, though some recovery was seen in the Ukraine, Russia and Luxembourg and marginally so also in Germany. The ready-mixed concrete volume decreased by 3.9% to 6.5Mm³.
The reduction in the Italian cement and clinker volume was limited to 4.0%, but excess supply in a poor market led to an 18.5% drop in the average price achieved. In ready-mixed concrete volumes fell by 7.9% and prices by 3.7%.
In Germany, Dyckerhoff’s turnover was 2.0% lower at €242.2m, but the EBITDA improved by 28.2% to €32.3m, helped by a €4.7m gain on the sale of emission rights. Cement shipments were 0.3% higher at 2.22Mt and ready-mixed concrete deliveries improved by 7.5% to 1.29Mm³, but prices came off by 2.4% in cement and by 6.0% in ready-mixed concrete.
In the United States, Buzzi Unicem’s first half cement deliveries fell by 10.8% and average dollar selling prices declined by 8.6%, in response to weak demand and plentiful supply. Ready-mixed concrete deliveries were off by 0.5%.
Turnover declined by 14.1% to US$373.9m, which on translation converts into a 13.8% reduction to €281.4m. At the EBITDA level there was a 41.9% reduction to €35.1m (US$46.6m) as the underlying margin dropped from 20.3% to 12.3% in response to falling prices and volumes.
