Italy: Italcementi's net profit for the first nine months of 2012 has fallen by 92% to Euro17.1m from Euro213m in the same period in 2011. The Italian cement major blamed the on-going crisis in western Europe and new competition in Egypt and Morocco.

Italcementi's revenue for the year to 30 September 2012 fell by 4.4% to Euro3.39bn from Euro3.55bn. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) fell by 11.6% to Euro517m from Euro584m. For the third quarter of 2012, year-on-year decreases in revenue and EBITDA were similar to the year-to-date results. However, the company's net profit fell by 34.7% to Euro16.3m from Euro25m.

Italcementi's 'Central Western Europe' region sold 12.2Mt of cement during the first nine months of 2012, a drop of 16.8% compared to the same period in 2011. The 'Emerging Europe, North Africa and Middle East' region sold 11.1Mt, a drop of 4.9%. North America remained flat with 3.2Mt sold. Asia posted a rise of 7.1% with 7.6Mt sold.

In its report Italcementi singled out significant cement and clinker sales improvements in India and Thailand. Despite declining volumes in Egypt the company pointed out that as the country's political situation stabilises, the strengthening upturn in consumption could offer opportunities for improvements in group operations on the main market in the North Africa and the Middle East.

In its outlook the company called for greater caution given an intensification of decline in demand in the third quarter of 2012. It also mentioned that, in addition to completing the investments and efficiency measures planned during the year, the company is preparing new measures to 'significantly' reduce operating costs.