The two companies are proposing the following disposals in Europe, writes WSJ: in Austria, Lafarge’s Mannersdorf cement plant, in France, Holcim’s assets in metropolitan France, except for its Altkirch cement plant and aggregates and readymix sites in the Haut-Rhin market; Lafarge’s assets on Reunion island, except for its shareholding in Ciments de Bourbon, in Germany, Lafarge’s assets, in Hungary, Holcim’s operating assets, in Romania, Lafarge’s assets, in Serbia, Holcim’s assets, in the UK, Lafarge Tarmac assets with the possible exception of one cement plant.
The divestment process will be carried out in the framework of the relevant social processes and ongoing dialogue with the employee representatives’ bodies and will be conducted in parallel to discussions with the competition authorities and potential buyers. The divestment process will be completed subject to the closing of the merger between Holcim and Lafarge.
Lafarge Romania runs two cement factories – in Medgidia and Hoghiz – and in addition to the cement business it also has divisions for aggregates, concrete and additional services.
The company has a market share of about 30 percent in Romania. Its main competitors are Swiss Holcim and Carpatcement, part of German HeidelbergCement AG, each with similar market shares.
Lafarge sold 37.4 percent more cement in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period last year, the company has announced. The increase was mostly fuelled by good weather. (source: business-review.eu)
