Sales volumes in the Romanian aggregates sector dropped 27.7% in the first half from the year-earlier period, Holcim said in its financial report.
Cement prices on the Romanian market rose 3.1% year-on-year in the first six months, but aggregate prices were down 15.8%.
“The crisis dogging Europe’s construction industry is not over. Austerity measures are mainly dampening civil engineering, while the weak overall economy, along with high unemployment and a lack of consumer confidence lowers the prospects for housing and non-residential construction,” the company said.
In Europe, Holcim’s cement sales fell 1.5% on the year in January through June.
Global cement sales declined 3.7% on the year to 68.6 million tons, while aggregate deliveries fell 7.2% to 69.4 million tons.
Holcim runs businesses in over 70 countries worldwide and employs around 80,000 staff. In Romania, the group operates two cement factories, one grinding station, 15 eco-friendly concrete stations, three aggregates stations and one cement terminal.