
Management’s review
5
The Aalborg Portland Holding Group delivered a satisfactory result for 2024 on par with 2023 and demonstrated remarkable
resilience despite the complex geopolitical and macroeconomic backdrop. The Group benefitted from a diversified geo-
graphical and product mix, and the general weakness in volumes, except for Türkiye, was offset by improved operational
efficiency.
The Group is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and has defined several sustainability objectives aligned
with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. A key element of the decarbonisation plan is the implementation
of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology in Aalborg, Denmark, through the ACCSION project, the first for Cementir
and one of the largest full onshore carbon capture and storage value chains in Europe. Once fully operational, this project
will reduce CO₂ emissions by 1.5 million tonnes each year. The Group is also assessing a second CCS project in Belgium.
Over the 2025-2027 period, the Group plans to invest approximately EUR 53m in sustainability projects, including upgrad-
ing facilities to FUTURECEM® production, switching to natural gas in the Danish plant, carbon capture and storage (CCS)
projects in Denmark and Belgium, and other initiatives to reduce the climate impact in transportation, procurement and
logistics and to optimise water resource usage in the production process. The ACCSION project (CCS in Denmark) has not
been included in the planned EUR 53m. It is worth mentioning that the project has received a grant of EUR 220m by the EU
Innovation Fund, also not included in the plan.
The Aalborg Portland Holding Group delivered highly satisfactory earnings in 2024 that were significantly above the full-year guid-
ance. The Group had guided for consolidated revenue of approximately EUR 1.8bn and for EBITDA of approximately EUR 385m.
Actual revenue amounted to EUR 1.7bn and EBITDA was EUR 432m, mainly due to strong performance in Türkiye and Egypt.
The Group’s earnings before depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were EUR 432m, 2% higher than in 2023 when EBITDA was
EUR 422m. The Group’s EBITDA ratio was 25.6%, up from 24.9% in 2023. Earnings were positively affected by one-off income of
EUR 7m in Türkiye (Total Group one-off income in 2023: EUR 15m). Adjusted for this, EBITDA was EUR 425m, 4.7% higher than
normalised EBITDA in 2023.
In the Nordic & Baltic region, the Group experienced a continued decline in activity due to the global macroeconomic situa-
tion having a significant impact on activity level in the construction sector. All business areas were impacted, including the
sale of cement, ready-mixed concrete and aggregates. Revenue was EUR 623m compared to EUR 645m in the previous
year, corresponding to a decline of 3%. Regional earnings before depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were EUR 174m,
4% lower compared to 2023 when EBITDA was EUR 181m. The decrease in 2024 was negatively impacted by a EUR 7m
gain from the sale of land in 2023. Adjusted for this one-off in 2023, EBITDA was on par with 2023. Net earnings for cement
were positively impacted by the optimisation of the cost of energy, fuels and raw materials. In the business segment for
ready-mixed concrete, performance in Denmark was positively impacted by the acquisition of the Skovby plant from NB
Beton in April 2024. The Norwegian market was still severely impacted by the downturn in the construction sector, while the
activity in Sweden saw some improvement, mainly as a result of some larger construction projects. In aggregates in the
three Nordic countries, the net result declined by 9% year on year, mainly as a result of the macroeconomic situation which
has led to a decline in the construction sector.
In the Belgian cement group Compagnie des Ciments Belges (CCB) volumes sold in 2024 declined compared to 2023
within cement (-10%) and RMC (-5%) however increased within aggregates (+5%). The company contributed with a reve-
nue of EUR 335m in 2024, compared to EUR 360m the previous year, a decrease of 7%. EBITDA was EUR 94m, a de-
crease of 4% from EUR 98 in 2023. The negative development during 2024 was a result of negative evolution of the eco-
nomic situation in the construction area in all the markets where the company operates, Belgium, France and the Nether-
lands.
In Türkiye, the Cimentas Group reported strong developments in all business areas, particularly due to the increased de-
mand for cement as a result of the continued impact by the two major earthquakes that hit Türkiye in 2023. Türkiye remains
a high inflation economy, which had a significant impact on the financial performance for the year. However, cost increases
on major input factors were off-set by the positive impact of price management. Revenue was EUR 393m compared to EUR
329m the previous year, an increase of 19%. EBITDA was EUR 86m compared to EUR 63m the previous year. The in-
crease was mainly related to the positive market developments, however EUR 7m related to one-off income.
In the USA, the Group maintained its position as market leader in white cement through its ownership interest in Lehigh
White Cement Company (LWCC). Volumes sold in 2024 increased by 2% compared to 2023. Revenue in 2024 was EUR
183m compared to EUR 183m the previous year, while EBITDA was EUR 25m compared to EUR 26m in 2023. The decline
in EBITDA is mainly related to negative cost impact higher than the price increases possible to allocate to the market due to
the competitive market situation.
In Egypt, revenue declined by 8% in 2024 to EUR 46m, while EBITDA was EUR 17m compared to EUR 13m in 2023. Price
management and positive exchange rate impact more than offset the negative impact from the decline in revenue.