France’s Lafarge, the world’s largest cement maker, posted a drop in quarterly revenue on Tuesday after foreign exchange headwinds offset a rise in cement volumes and prices.
Lafarge, which is preparing to merge with Swiss rival Holcim, confirmed its full-year forecasts, saying it was supported by strong growth in fast-urbanising emerging markets, solid trends in North America and improved market conditions in most of Europe excluding France.
Lafarge said cement volumes had risen 11% in the first quarter, driven by the Middle East and Africa and the startup of a new plant in India.
