+
Asia Cement China owner to take company private in $647 million deal
Cement

Asia Cement China owner to take company private in $647 million deal

The majority owner of Asia Cement (China) Holdings Corp has proposed to privatise the cement manufacturer in a deal worth HK$5.05 billion ($646.6 million), according to statements from the companies on Wednesday. This move comes amidst challenges faced by construction suppliers amid the crisis in China's property sector.

As part of the privatisation offer, Taiwan-listed Asia Cement Corp is extending an offer of HK$3.22 for each share of Asia Cement China that it does not already possess, representing a 3% discount compared to the Hong Kong-listed firm's closing price on May 28.

Trading in Asia Cement China shares was halted in Hong Kong on May 28 pending an announcement on takeovers and mergers after experiencing a substantial surge of up to 47%, marking its largest intraday increase since November 2008. Additionally, on May 27, the shares had rallied by 14%, leading to a market capitalisation of $666 million, significantly lower than its peak of $2.8 billion in July 2019. The Hong Kong-listed firm has applied to resume trading on Thursday.

Currently, Asia Cement Corp holds a 67.73% stake in the Hong Kong-listed unit, which reported a first-quarter loss of approximately $17.9 million in April.

China's property market is grappling with high levels of debt, impacting construction suppliers across the country. In response, Beijing has introduced stimulus measures to address the housing market's decline. Asia Cement China has faced challenges in recent years, including a downturn in its revenue and profit, attributed to factors such as the property market crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic, rising interest rates, and intensified competition.

Asia Cement Corp, listed in Taiwan, is owned by Far Eastern New Century Corp, a conglomerate involved in various industries ranging from shipping to telecommunications. (Source: ET)

The majority owner of Asia Cement (China) Holdings Corp has proposed to privatise the cement manufacturer in a deal worth HK$5.05 billion ($646.6 million), according to statements from the companies on Wednesday. This move comes amidst challenges faced by construction suppliers amid the crisis in China's property sector. As part of the privatisation offer, Taiwan-listed Asia Cement Corp is extending an offer of HK$3.22 for each share of Asia Cement China that it does not already possess, representing a 3% discount compared to the Hong Kong-listed firm's closing price on May 28. Trading in Asia Cement China shares was halted in Hong Kong on May 28 pending an announcement on takeovers and mergers after experiencing a substantial surge of up to 47%, marking its largest intraday increase since November 2008. Additionally, on May 27, the shares had rallied by 14%, leading to a market capitalisation of $666 million, significantly lower than its peak of $2.8 billion in July 2019. The Hong Kong-listed firm has applied to resume trading on Thursday. Currently, Asia Cement Corp holds a 67.73% stake in the Hong Kong-listed unit, which reported a first-quarter loss of approximately $17.9 million in April. China's property market is grappling with high levels of debt, impacting construction suppliers across the country. In response, Beijing has introduced stimulus measures to address the housing market's decline. Asia Cement China has faced challenges in recent years, including a downturn in its revenue and profit, attributed to factors such as the property market crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic, rising interest rates, and intensified competition. Asia Cement Corp, listed in Taiwan, is owned by Far Eastern New Century Corp, a conglomerate involved in various industries ranging from shipping to telecommunications. (Source: ET)

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Rs 19.5 Billion Meerut–Nazibabad Rail Electrification Complete

The Rs 19.5 billion railway electrification of the Meerut–Nazibabad section has been completed, marking a major step towards improving connectivity in northern India. The project covers 132 kilometres of track and is expected to enhance operational efficiency while reducing travel time and fuel costs.Officials from the Ministry of Railways said the electrification will enable faster, more reliable train services and contribute to reduced carbon emissions. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader goal of achieving 100 per cent electrification of India’s railway network by 2030...

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

AU Small Finance Bank Secures RBI Approval For Universal Bank

AU Small Finance Bank has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to transition into a universal bank. The move will allow the Jaipur-based lender to expand its range of financial services and compete directly with larger commercial banks.Founded in 1996 as a non-banking finance company, AU Small Finance Bank became a small finance bank in 2017. The transition to a universal bank will enable it to offer a broader portfolio, including enhanced corporate banking, treasury operations, and new retail products.Managing Director and CEO Sanjay Agarwal said the approval marks a signifi..

Next Story
Building Material

India Cements Q1 Loss Narrows To Rs 276 Million On Higher Sales

India Cements Ltd has reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 276 million for the quarter ended June 2025, narrowing from a loss of Rs 831 million a year earlier. Consolidated revenue from operations rose 20 per cent year-on-year to Rs 17.9 billion from Rs 14.9 billion.The company attributed the improvement to higher sales volumes and better price realisations, which offset some of the impact of elevated fuel and raw material costs. EBITDA turned positive at Rs 1.1 billion, compared with a loss in the same period last year.Vice Chairman and Managing Director N. Srinivasan said the company will ..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?