As part of the restructuring following the merger LafargeHolcim will be closing down cement production at the Havre and La Couronne cement works in France.

Havre will be converted into a grinding station with 31 staff (compared with the current 152) while La Couronne will become a grinding unit with 27 staff.

Last week, Eric Olsen, LafargeHolcim CEO, said the company was planning to close down some of its plants as capacity utilisation was currently around two-thirds, well below target. The company would also reduce its investments from CHF3bn to CHF2bn and make divestments to the tune of CHF3.5bn.