Hungary: The Hungarian National Professional Association of Construction Contractors (ÉVOSZ) has claimed that the government of Hungary has initiated negotiations to acquire Duna Dráva Cement and Holcim Magyarország. 24.hu News has reported that the construction industry is facing on-going cement supply issues due to a purported decline in domestic production. ÉVOSZ said that its members’ reliance on imports of cement has risen to 60% from 40%.
Duna Dráva Cement clarified that its joint owners, Germany-based Heidelberg Materials and Schwenk Zement, are ‘committed to their investment in Hungary and are not negotiating its sale.’
Meanwhile, Switzerland-based Holcim said "We are not in a position to comment on the news that the Hungarian state is negotiating with domestic cement producers and/or their foreign owners for the purpose of acquiring shares."