Lafarge, yet to announce terms, said its two largest shareholders, Groupe Bruxelles Lambert and NNS Holding, back the plan.
The rights offerings highlight a deepening building slump at a time when the companies have spent more than US$25bn combined on acquisitions to expand globally.
Saint-Gobain, based near Paris, said 2009 will be “extremely challenging” following a sharp deterioration in demand in the fourth quarter. The company cut 8,000 jobs last year, twice as many as planned.
