CRH linked to merger asset sale

CRH has been linked to a joint bid for the assets due to be sold in order to pass the planned mega-merger of French and Swiss cement giants, Lafarge and Holcim.

Holcim and Lafarge are having to offload assets in France, Germany, Austria, the UK, eastern Europe, Canada and Brazil (representing around €3.5bn in annual sales) in order to satisfy regulators ahead of a proposed mid-2015 conclusion to their deal.

While German player Heidelberg Cement and Brazil’s Votorantim Cimentos have been named as possible bidders; a joint bid between CRH and Mexican rival, Cemex has been speculated upon.