According to media sources, CRH was seen as the front runner, with the highest offer for the assets, of nearly EUR6 billion.
In Romania, CRH owns construction material producers Elpreco and Ferrobeton.
“While there can be no certainty that these discussions will result in a transaction, if an acquisition was to proceed, it is likely that it would be funded through a combination of existing cash balances, debt and an equity placing,“ the company said.
Holcim and Lafarge are still in talks with the groups that filed offers for the assets, including private equity firms CVC Capital Partners, which previously owned StarBev in Romania until 2012, and Blackstone, which owns no assets in Romania.
Last April, Lafarge and Holcim announced they will merge and create the largest global cement maker with an annual turnover estimated at over $40 billion. To get antitrust clearance, the two companies have to sell several assets, including in Romania.
Thus, Lafarge will sell its Romanian operations, namely two cement plants and one milling station.