Holcim expands presence in Colombia with agreement to acquire Cemex operations

Holcim has signed an agreement to expand in Colombia by adding building materials and solutions operations from Cemex in a deal valued at $485 million. The transaction is projected to close by the end of 2026.

Zug, Switzerland-based Holcim says the deal includes a cement plant in Caracolito, a grinding station in Santa Rosa and more than 20 ready-mix concrete, aggregates, mortars and admixtures plants in Colombia. The combined operations have projected 2026 net sales of about $360 million.

Holcim added that the deal will complement Holcim’s existing operations in the country, which include one cement plant in Nobsa, eight ready-mix concrete plants, one admixtures plant and one aggregates plant, as well as more than 150 retail stores under its Disensa franchise.

“This acquisition will strengthen Holcim's presence in Colombia and accelerate growth in the attractive region of Latin America in line with our next gen growth 2030 strategy,” Holcim CEO Miljan Gutovic says.

San Pedro Garza García, Mexico-based Cemex says the company is still negotiating with other third parties regarding the sale of remaining assets in the same geographic area that were not included in its deal with Holcim. The company projects to generate another $70 million in additional proceeds through the deal, though declined to mention which sites could be included.

Once both transactions are complete, Cemex says it will retain two cement plants in Columbia, one in Maceo and the other in Cucuta, with a total installed capacity of 1.6 million tons per year. It also will retain a grinding mill in Clemencia and various ready-mix concrete plants and aggregates quarries.

“We are pleased with the continued progress we are making in further streamlining our portfolio while we focus on investing and strengthening our position in key geographies and businesses in the U.S., Europe and Mexico,” Cemex CEO Jaime Muguiro says. “We began our portfolio rebalancing effort in 2018 and have accomplished most of what we have set out to do.”