Germany: HeidelbergCement has reported stable revenues for the first quarter of 2013 at Euro2.76bn compared to Euro2.80bn in the same period of 2012. The German cement producer commented that weak sales volumes in Europe and North America, caused by bad weather and reducing working days, were mostly offset by growth in cement sales volumes in North America, Asia and Africa.
Group share of loss grew to Euro235m in the first quarter of 2013 from Euro208m in the same period in 2012. This follows the announcement by HeidelbergCement in April 2013 that its profits would be hit by a Euro30m fine in the second quarter of 2013 due to previous cartel infringements.
Sales volumes of cement and clinker remained stable at 18.1Mt. By business line, revenues for cement in Western and Northern Europe fell by 9.8% to Euro321m from Euro356m. In the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region revenues fell by 7% to Euro147m from Euro158m. In North America revenues rose by 8% to Euro222m from Euro205m. In the Asia Pacific region revenues rose by 8% to Euro507m from Euro468m. In the Africa-Mediterranean Basin region revenues rose by 5% to Euro201m from Euro191m.
For its outlook for the remainder of 2013, HeidelbergCement expects continued demand for building materials in North America, Asia and Africa. In Europe and Central Asia, the group anticipates stability in Germany, Northern Europe, Russia and Central Asia and weak development elsewhere.
