France: Ciments Français has reported that its consolidated revenue for 2012 fell by 2% to Euro3.73bn from Euro3.82bn in 2011. The Italcementi subsidiary blamed the Eurozone crisis.

Ciments Français' net consolidated profit fell to a loss of Euro85.1m, following Euro270.9m in impairment losses. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) fell by 9% to Euro658m from Euro725m. Overall sales volumes for cement and clinker fell by 2.7% to 39.3Mt. This was mainly due to drop in sales in France, Belgium, Morocco and Egypt.

By region, Ciments Français' Western Europe grouping saw its revenue fall by 8% to Euro1.62bn. EBITDA fell by 22% to Euro256m. In North America revenue remained stable at Euro440m and EBITDA more than doubled to Euro51.3m. In Emerging Europe, North Africa & Middle East revenue declined very slightly to Euro1bn. Here EBITDA fell by 9% to Euro287m. In Asia revenue rose by 14% to Euro521m and EBITDA remained stable at Euro84.5m.

In its outlook for 2013 the group expected poor performance in Europe, growing performance in the US and high performance in most emerging countries led by demand for construction materials. Overall the group forecasts for 2013 that its profitability will remain similar to 2012.