Cement News tagged under: Europe
Berenberg upgrades Italcementi26 September 2014, Published under Cement NewsAnalysts at Berenberg bank have upgraded its recommendation on Italian cement major Italcement's stock to 'buy' from 'sell' with a target price of EUR6.30. Berenberg said the planned merger between Holcim and Lafarge "remains the dominant theme for the sector". They said Italcementi's asset portfolio favours the company as the cement sector faces significant consolidation. |
Spanish watchdog initiates preliminary inspection25 September 2014, Published under Cement NewsThe Spanish competition watchdog Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y de la Competencia (CNMC) has carried out inspections at the headquarters of companies that produce cement, concrete and their derivatives. The preliminary inspections were carried out over 16-18 September 2014 for alleged anti-competitive practices. Should suspicions be confirmed, the regulator will open disciplinary proceedings, which could result in fines amounting to 10 per cent of the companies' turnover. |
Mannersdorf sale draws interest26 August 2014, Published under Cement NewsThe Mannersdorf cement plant in Austria, which has been put up for sale by Lafarge ahead of its proposed merger with Holcim, has drawn interest from three notable parties, the daily WirtschaftsBlatt reports. The three potential investors are Leube, Kirchdorfer group and Mexico's Cemex, with the Mexican cement major standing the biggest chances of success, the paper claims. The Mannersdorf plant in Lower Austria has a capacity of 1.3Mta and is the country's largest cement works. It forms p... |
CRH returns to first-half pretax profit19 August 2014, Published under Cement NewsCRH's first half turnover advanced by four per cent to EUR8,324m and the EBITDA improved by 27.2 per cent to EUR505m. The trading profit jumped from EUR41m to EUR171m and after a net interest charge 2.7 per cent higher at EUR150m, the pre-tax result went from a loss of EUR71m to a EUR61m profit. The net attributable result went from a EUR57m loss to a EUR46m profit. Net debt at the end of June was 11.6 per cent lower at EUR3,703m, giving a gearing level of 39.9 per cent, which compares wi... |
Italcementi suffers from jump in financing costs31 July 2014, Published under Cement NewsItalcementi's first-half turnover declined by six per cent to EUR2048.4m, but the running EBITDA did improve by 2.2 per cent to EUR304.8m. Helped by a 6.2 per cent reduction in the amortisation and depreciation charge, the trading profit improved by 27.7 per cent to EUR99.8m. A 66.5 per cent jump in financing costs, largely related to interest rate derivatives and derivatives on CO2 hedging, led to a net financial charge of EUR75.1m. After contribution from associates and impairment charg... |
Buzzi Unicem and Wietersdorfer deal completed31 July 2014, Published under Cement NewsBuzzi Unicem has completed a strategic agreement with Wietersdorfer initially announced in February this year. Under the terms of the deal, Buzzi Unicem is receiving EUR22m from W&P Cementi for its 0.3Mta cement works at Cadola (Italy) and the right to acquire the 0.4Mta Travesio (Italy) cement plant within the next five years. At the same time, Buzzi Unicem is paying some EUR22m for a 25 per cent stake in Salonit Anhovo, the leading cement producer in Slovenia with a capacity approaching ... |
EC extends deadline for Cemex decision31 July 2014, Published under Cement NewsThe European Commission has extended the deadline for its decision on whether to clear or block the deal from 5 September to 12 September 2014. A source told Reuters earlier this month that the Commission had objected to the deal after a preliminary review showed that it would significantly reduce competition in certain parts of Spain. Cemex had submitted its concessions on Monday, the EU watchdog said on its website, without providing details in line with its policy. It h... |
European Commission objects to Spanish deal14 July 2014, Published under Cement NewsThe European Commission, the antitrust regulator in Europe, has objected to plans by Cemex to acquire Spanish units held by Holcim. In August last year the two cement majors reached an agreement to conduct a series of transactions to swap and combine assets in parts of Europe with the aim of improving synergies and boosting operating profit. However, a source told Reuters last week that: "The European Commission (EC) has sent a statement of objections to the companies," referring ... |
Ciments Calcia opens new distribution centre in Paris14 July 2014, Published under Cement NewsCiments Calcia opened a new distribution centre in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, France, on 4 July 2014, designed by Vib Architecture. The centre consists of two 20m dia silos that rise to a height of 37m. A third cylinder, which has a cut-out design includes a lift and a wrap-round metal staircase. The facility, which was cast in slipform, took three weeks to build. |
Italcementi reaches threshold for squeeze-out of Ciments Français04 July 2014, Published under Cement NewsItalcementi said on Thursday it had bought more than 95 percent of share capital of Ciments Français, reaching the threshold for the squeeze-out of minorities at its French unit. Italcementi’s buyout bid for Ciments Français, which commenced on 13 June, is worth EUR79.50 (USS108.60) a share, ex dividend. The buy-out of minorities in Ciments Fran ç ais is part of the Italian cement major's plan to streamline its group structure and will lead to the delisting of the French unit from the P... |