LafargeHolcim agrees to sell India operation

PARIS: Swiss construction giant LafargeHolcim, the world’s largest cement maker, said it had agreed to sell its Indian operation to Indian cosmetics and detergents manufacturer Nirma for $1.4 billion.
The operation, which remains subject to clearance by India’s Competition Commission, would allow LafargeHolcim “to continue to reduce group debt,” the firm said in a statement.
“This agreement is an important step in our 3.5 billion Swiss francs disinvestment program,” CEO Eric Holsen said.
“With this deal, two thirds of the program has been secured and the remainder of the program is well on track.”
Holsen added that in Nirma, based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat state, “we have found the right partner who will be able to develop the business further in the interest of all our stakeholders.”
The group, forged from last year’s merger of French group Lafarge with Swiss counterpart Holcim, has already offloaded its South Korean operations and signed an agreement to do the same with its Saudi interests.
Unveiling first quarter results down 22 percent in May the Swiss group cited falling prices in India as a key concern.