Emerging markets are again the focus of attention for major companies as construction activity remains high.
It says its geographic diversification in the industry helped support sales in the first nine months of 2012, and in its outlook for 2013, it says it expects demand for building materials to rise in emerging markets in Asia and Latin America, as well as in Russia and Azerbaijan. In North America, cement volumes will also increase. In Europe, sales volumes are expected to decrease in all segments.
“Operating from a strong German base and with excellent positions in attractive growth markets, in both emerging and industrialised countries, HeidelbergCement is very well positioned to benefit over-proportionally from the continued economic growth,” said said Dr Bernd Scheifele, chairman of the managing board.
Projects nearing completion, include clinker and cement plants in central India with a cement capacity of 2.9 million tonnes while in Ghana and Liberia, there are new cement mills with capacities of 1 million tonnes and 0.5 million tonnes, respectively.
“More than 5 million tonnes of additional cement capacities are expected to be commissioned in emerging markets in 2013, said Dr Bernd Scheifele.”
Bruno Lafont, Lafarge’s chairman and CEO, said: “Looking ahead, the fundamentals of our business are strong, helped by the positive trends of global urbanisation. The group, fully focused on its core businesses, foresees sustainable cash generating growth led by high quality positions, a unique exposure to emerging markets, and a well balanced portfolio of operating assets across the globe.”
The infrastructure and residential sectors were the main drivers of demand in most of Cemex’s markets.
