Holcim, highest increase for cement sales, 22%

Cement producer Holcim Romania, a subsidiary of the Swiss group Holcim, posted the highest growth in terms of the volume of cement sold on the local market in the first half of the year – 22%, while its main competitors on the local market, Lafarge and Carpatcement saw a 18.4% increase and stagnation, respectively, in the same period. The growth was a record, as well as for other European markets where the Swiss company is present, with Serbia (9.7%) and Bulgaria (8.5%) following behind. Contrary to this trend, sales in Spain, where the constructions market is witnessing a major decline, fell 18.8%. The company increased the price of cement by 9.1% in Romania in the first six months of the year against the first half of 2007, with higher price increases being witnessed on the markets in Russia (77.2%), Azerbaijan (32.9%), Croatia (12.9%), Bulgaria (11.8%), Hungary and Serbia (9.5%).