Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell by 14.9% to €112 million in the first quarter of 2013 from €132 million in the first quarter of 2012. By business segment, revenues for cement and clinker fell by 8% to €556 million from €604 million.
In Western Europe sales volumes of cement and clinker fell by 14.1% to 1.9 million tonnes while in North America sales volumes fell by 3.9% to 700,000 tonnes. In the company's emerging Europe, North Africa and Middle East region sales volumes rose by 11.2% to 2.7 million tonnes. In Asia sales volumes rose by 11.2% to 2.7 million tonnes.
By revenue, particular decreases were recorded in France, Belgium and Spain. In France and Belgium revenues fell by 10% to €319 million from €354 million. In Spain revenues fell by 29% to €21.7 million from €30.5 million. In India sales revenues fell by 4% to €61.3 million from €63.9 million.
A recurring EBITDA decrease in France and Belgium was attributed to bad weather and a fall in CO2 sales. In India it was attributed to a decrease in prices and a negative exchange rate effect.
The group confirmed its projections for 2013, which forecast a maintenance of EBITDA in 2013. Its projections are based on a recovery of some markets and a significant contribution from an improvement in production efficiency and a reduction in overheads.
