HeidelbergCement noted significant margin increases in the first quarter of 2021, according to the company. Group revenue rose by 1%. Significant margin increases were evident in all regions, particularly in North America, Europe and Africa-Eastern Mediterranean Basin
Deliveries of aggregates increased by 2.0% year-on-year to 61.3 million tonnes (previous year: 60.1). While volumes rose in North America, Asia-Pacific and above all in Western and Southern Europe, they significantly decreased in Northern and Eastern Europe-Central Asia as well as in Africa-Eastern Mediterranean Basin.
Group-wide cement and clinker sales volumes increased by 2.4% to 28.4 million tonnes (previous year: 27.7). Excluding consolidation effects, the increase amounted to 2.9%. Increases in sales volumes in the Group areas Asia-Pacific, Africa-Eastern Mediterranean Basin and, in particular, Western and Southern Europe more than offset volume losses in Northern and Eastern Europe-Central Asia and North America.
Ready-mixed concrete sales volumes increased by 1.2% to 10.8 million cubic meters (previous year: 10.7). Excluding consolidation effects, the increase amounted to 2.5%. While deliveries in Western and Southern Europe were significantly higher and in North America and Africa-Eastern Mediterranean slightly above the previous year’s level, sales volumes in Northern and Eastern Europe-Central Asia and Asia-Pacific decreased. Asphalt deliveries increased by 11.5% to 2.0million tonnes (previous year: 1.8).
“HeidelbergCement has made an excellent start to 2021,” said Dr. Dominik von Achten, chairman of the managing board. “In all group areas, we have once again been able to significantly increase our results and margins compared with an already strong first quarter in the previous year. This is a seamless continuation of our very good development in recent quarters.”