Europe & CIS - 07 April 2014

Some key facts about cement and building materials producers Lafarge and Holcim following the announcement that they plan to merge.

Many are sceptical about the competition aspect of the deal, which some have suggested will keep it tied up in red tape for up to two years. However, Imran Akram of IA Cement is upbeat about the news.

Increased spending in the Azerbaijani construction sector in January – February 2014 contributed to a rise in the country’s GDP.

Europe’s two biggest cement producers have announced plans to merge. Lafarge and Holcim would become LafargeHolcim, leading to incremental synergies of over €1.4 billion.