FTC Approves Application from Holcim LTD. and Lafarge S.A. to Divest Cement Assets

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved an application from Holcim Ltd. and Lafarge S.A. to sell various Holcim cement assets to an affiliate of the international cement company CRH International.

The divestiture was required under the FTC’s June 2015 final order settling charges that the $25 billion merger of Holcim and Lafarge would create the world’s largest cement manufacturer and likely harm competition for portland cement and slag cement—ingredients in making concrete—in 14 geographic markets in the United States. The divested assets include cement plants, quarries, and terminals.

The Commission vote to approve the divestiture was 4-1, with Commissioner Joshua D. Wright voting no. (FTC File No. 141 0129, the staff contact is Daniel P. Ducore, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2526)

The FTC’s Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action. To inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust{at}ftc{dot}gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Room CC-5422, Washington, DC 20580. To learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read Competition Counts. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.