HeidelbergCement reported that the respectable sales volume development seen in the first quarter of 2021 continued into the second quarter. In the first half of the year, total sales volumes increased significantly in all business lines in comparison with the previous year.
Group-wide cement and clinker sales volumes increased by 9.7% to 61.8 million tonnes. Ready-mixed concrete sales volumes increased by 8.3% to 23.5 million cu. meters, while deliveries of aggregates rose by 7.5% in comparison with the previous year to 145.0 million tonnes.
Group revenue increased by 8.3% to €8,938 million in comparison with the previous year. Excluding consolidation and exchange rate effects, the increase amounted to 11.4%. Result from current operations before depreciation and amortization (RCOBD) increased by 22.6%; excluding consolidation and currency effects, the increase was 26.4%.
“HeidelbergCement has closed the first half of 2021 with an excellent result,” said Dr. Dominik von Achten, chairman of the managing board. “We have achieved record values in relevant key figures. Our ‘Beyond 2020’ strategy is taking effect: we are making good progress in all areas. Against this background, we have announced an extensive share buyback program for the first time in the company’s history. With this, we want our shareholders to participate appropriately in the economic success of our company.”
Due to the operational development in the first six months, HeidelbergCement is raising its outlook for the whole of 2021. “The market environment in the construction sector is and remains good,” said von Achten. “We see continued good demand in private residential construction and infrastructure in all regions. At the same time, raw material, energy and transportation costs have increased significantly in recent months. Nevertheless, in the short and medium term we expect the various country-specific economic stimulus programs to continue to have a positive impact on construction activity and thus on our sales volumes. We are optimistic about the future.”
