By activity, turnover in cement was 1.2% lower, but improved by 0.4% on a comparative basis, to EUR1,142m, with the EBITDA declining by 6.5% to EUR388m. In concrete and aggregates operations, the negative impact on the profit was rather greater with a 25.6% reduction to EUR109m on a turnover that was 7.2% lower at EUR882m, as volumes declined by 5.2% in ready-mixed concrete and by 4.4% in aggregates. In other activities, turnover was off by 2.3% to EUR361m while the EBITDA was 2.0% lower at EUR31m. Vicat’s cement deliveries increased by 0.4% higher to 14.21m tonnes last year, while aggregates shipments declined by 4.4% to 21.58m tonnes and ready-mixed concrete deliveries were down by 5.2% to 8.73Mm³.
In France, the deteriorating economic climate made itself felt in the final quarter, when shipments began to decline. Turnover was off by 1.0% to 1,017m and the EBITDA declined by 4.0% to EUR262m as price increases did not fully cover increased costs and lower volumes, though in cement, the price increase and reduced purchases of clinker compensated for the slight reduction in volumes. Elsewhere in Europe, turnover was off by 0.6% to EUR283m and the EBITDA was 4.1% lower at EUR67m. The Swiss EBITDA was affected by the need to buy in both clinker and cement and declined by 2.6%, while the Italian business was more negatively affected by lower volumes and increased competitive pressures leading to a 12.3% reduction in the EBITDA.
