CRH to compete for Lafarge and Holcim assets

Irish building materials manufacturer CRH plc is considering making an offer to purchase the assets that might stand in the way of the merger of Lafarge and Holcim, industry sources told Reuters. It was not reported which assets that the Irish firm might be keen to purchase.

Following the announcement of their giant merger and in an effort to avoid regulatory problems, Lafarge and Holcm will have to shed some of their assets, which in turn could be of interest to competitor CRH, Reuters explained.

The portfolio of assets up for sale could fetch between EUR5bn (US$6.5bn) and EUR7bn. Bids for the assets are expected shortly, the sources said.