LafargeHolcim reaches objectives, focuses on India

Eric Olsen, the chief executive of 8161 LafargeHolcim, is reported as saying that all intermediary objectives have been reached as part of the merger of the two groups.

Olsen said that the company will expand activities in India where cement consumption per person is equal to between 200-225tonnes/year, offering opportunities for development.

The country has yet to conduct important infrastructure investments. By contrast, the per-person cement consumption in China is above 1,000tonnes/year, and a decline is expected in the long term.

The company's sales in China are expected to increase even though the total cement market is expected to decline by between 4%-5% in the country.