Lafarge announces the sale of its Australian Gypsum operations to Knauf for net proceeds of 120 million euros.
Lafarge's Australian Gypsum business represents two manufacturing facilities for gypsum wallboard and other compounds along with a national network of distribution and retail centers. In 2010, Lafarge's Australian operations generated EBITDA of 13 million euros.
The completion of this deal is expected to be in the third quarter of 2011.
Notes to editors
Lafarge is the world leader in building materials, with top-ranking positions in all of its businesses: Cement, Aggregates & Concrete and Gypsum. With 76,000 employees in 78 countries, Lafarge posted sales of Euros 16.2 billion in 2010.
Lafarge was ranked 6th in the "Carbon Disclosure Project" and entered the global "Dow Jones Sustainability Index" in 2010 in recognition of its sustainable development actions. With the world's leading building materials research facility, Lafarge places innovation at the heart of its priorities, working for sustainable construction and architectural creativity.
Knauf is a leading manufacturer of building materials with more than 150 production sites worldwide. In 2010 the Knauf group had about 23,000 employees and achieved a turnover of more than 5 billion euros.
This release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements do not constitute forecasts regarding the Company's results or any other performance indicator, but rather trends or targets, as the case may be. These statements are by their nature subject to risks and uncertainties as described in the Company's annual report available on its Internet website. These statements do not reflect future performance of the Company, which may materially differ. The Company does not undertake to provide updates of these statements.
This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy Lafarge shares.
