[Original] Lafarge, Holcim Hold Talks with EU to Accelerate Merger Process

2014-09-22 14:37:23

Recently, Lafarge and Holcim held talks with the European Union aimed at speeding up the merger process. In order to win regulatory approval, Lafarge and Holcim confirmed that they would sell assets, reportedly worth about 5 billion euros, to address antitrust concerns.

     Since April 7, 2014, when the two major cement groups, Lafarge and Holcim, announced the merger plan, the cement industry has set off a huge wave. Recently, Lafarge and Holcim held talks with the European Union aimed at speeding up the merger process. In order to win regulatory approval, Lafarge and Holcim confirmed that they would sell assets, reportedly worth about 5 billion euros, to address antitrust concerns.

   The merger of the two groups might have gone more smoothly in the early European markets. However, under the current severe situation of anti-monopoly, Lafarge and Holcim may face up to four months of anti-monopoly investigation by relevant regulatory authorities. Of course, the two groups have long been working for the smooth implementation of the merger plan. As early as July 2014, the two groups announced plans to split some of their assets. The European cement plant market for divestment will include Austria, France, Germany and Romania. The two groups will move to areas where the development of the cement industry is weak. The European market will be defined as a key sales market. With the review of the first phase of the merger plan, the market transactions of Lafarge and Holcim will be more transparent.

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Recently, Lafarge and Holcim held talks with the European Union aimed at speeding up the merger process. In order to win regulatory approval, Lafarge and Holcim confirmed that they would sell assets, reportedly worth about 5 billion euros, to address antitrust concerns.

2014-09-22 14:37:23

From January to October, the forecast data of cement production in 31 provinces and cities in China showed the situation of cement production in various regions. From January to October, the total output of cement in China decreased compared with the same period last year, and the output in October also showed a downward trend compared with the same period last year, but increased compared with September. Among the provinces and cities, the cumulative output of Xizang from January to October increased by 13. 71% compared with the same period last year, while the cumulative output of Shanxi from January to October decreased by -16. 05%. On the whole, cement production in most provinces and cities has declined to varying degrees year on year.