Archived media releases

Holcim substantially expands its Australian business through the acquisition of Cemex Australia. Additionally, Holcim affirms its strategic partnership in China through the participation in the planned private placement of Huaxin Cement.

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Holcim substantially expands its Australian business through the acquisition of Cemex Australia. Additionally, Holcim affirms its strategic partnership in China through the participation in the planned private placement of Huaxin Cement. The funds will be raised by a capital increase with a rights issue.

• Holcim will acquire Cemex Australia, a company with countrywide operations in the aggregates, ready-mix concrete and concrete products business, including its 25 percent interest in Cement Australia, in which Holcim presently has a 50 percent shareholding.
  
• This important strategic acquisition enables the Group to move into the aggregates and concrete business in an attractive mature market.
• Cemex Australia's most important market positions are located in the continent's densely populated eastern and southeastern states and in the mining belt of Western Australia - all of which are markets amongst the fastest growing regions in Australia.
• The purchase price of AUD 2.02 billion (CHF 1.77 billion) for Cemex Australia and the 25 percent stake in Cement Australia will be financed entirely with equity.
  
• In addition, the Board of Directors of Holcim has decided, subject to the approval of the necessary Chinese authorities, to fully participate in the planned private placement of Huaxin Cement (China) of up to CNY 4 billion. Based on Holcim's current stake in Huaxin Cement of 39.9 percent, this corresponds to an investment of up to CNY 1.6 billion (approximately CHF 250 million) also planned to be fully financed with equity.
  
• The Board of Directors will convene an extraordinary general meeting on 8 July 2009, at which the shareholders of Holcim Ltd will be asked to approve a capital increase leading to an inflow of funds in the amount of approximately CHF 2 billion.
  
  
  

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Media Release on 1st quarter results 2009

• Economic crisis deepened and spread to more countries
• Group regions Latin America and Asia Pacific posted organic growth; remarkable progress especially in India
• The severe and prolonged winter adversely affected Group results in Europe and North America
• Group-wide cost-cutting program and plant closures in all segments had a positive impact on Group results
• Strong balance sheet of the Group and solid liquidity; since the beginning of the year, CHF 2.5 billion have been refinanced
• Holcim continues to cut costs and rapidly adjusts capacities to prevailing market conditions

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Holcim initiates arbitration proceedings against Venezuela

Holcim Ltd has initiated international arbitration proceedings against the Republic of Venezuela before the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes ("ICSID") in Washington D.C. The Group seeks full compensation for the expropriation of its subsidiary, Holcim Venezuela, by the Venezuelan Government.

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Decline in building activity and increasing costs put pressure on income statement and lead to capacity adjustments. The balance sheet of Holcim remains strong.

• Holcim initiates cost-cutting measures and is planning to close plants in Spain and the US
  
  Development on a like-for-like basis*:
  
• Cement deliveries increased by 0.7 percent and ready-mix concrete volumes grew by 7.4 percent; sales of aggregates fell by 7.4 percent
• Net sales appreciated by 6.6 percent
• Operating EBITDA decreased by 5.2 percent
• Adjusted to a non-recurring capital gain and special dividend in 2007, net income attributable to equity holders of Holcim Ltd decreased by 5.8 percent
• Against the backdrop of a slowing global economy, Holcim forecasts that internal operating EBITDA development excluding the planned closing costs will continue to weaken in the fourth quarter.
  _{* Factoring out changes in the scope of consolidation and currency translation effects.}

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Statement

Holcim confirmes searches by the EU antitrust authority in Belgium, France, Germany and the UK

On November 4, 2008, the EU antitrust authority has initiated an investigation of the cement sector. It has also searched offices of Holcim Group companies in Belgium, France, Germany and the UK. The Group companies fully cooperate with the authority.

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