Turnover of German construction materials group HeidelbergCement decreased by 21.6% to €11.12billion in 2009.

Turnover of German construction materials group HeidelbergCement decreased by 21.6% to €11.12billion in 2009. Operating income was down 38.7% to €1.32billion. Net profit dropped by 91.3% to €168million due to special effects worth €790million such as restructuring measures and high costs for bank loans.

HeidelbergCement chairman Bernd Scheifele expects the global economy to recover in the second half of 2010 at the earliest.

It is expected that HeidelbergCement will then generate high profits again. Since Merckle Group reduced its stake in HeidelbergCement from 80% to just under 25% in 2009, free float now amounts to 75%.

This led to a substantial increase in interest from investors and analysts in HeidelbergCement. The company intends to further develop its capital market orientation and communication accordingly.

HeidelbergCement's goal for 2010 continues to be the inclusion in the German benchmark DAX index.