Vicat in negotiations to acquire 48 concrete plants from Cemex in the South-East
The Isère-based cement manufacturer has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire a network of 48 concrete plants and 9 aggregate quarries spread across the Rhône Valley and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The group has set a new financial leverage target for 2026-2027 to account for this acquisition while maintaining maneuverability for targeted growth operations.
A scope of 48 concrete plants and 9 quarries in the South-East
Vicat announced on October 1, 2026 that it has entered into an acquisition process targeting the ready-mix concrete and aggregate activities of Cemex located in South-Eastern France.
The proposed transaction would involve the acquisition of the subsidiaries Cemex Granulats Rhône Méditerranée, Cemex Béton Rhône Alpes and Cemex Béton Sud Est. These entities operate a network of 48 ready-mix concrete plants, 9 aggregate quarries, associated services as well as certain stakes in joint ventures.
The scope covers the Rhône Valley and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, particularly the Mediterranean corridor extending from Marseille to Nice. According to the group, this footprint is complementary to its existing presence and would strengthen its regional standing in adjacent markets.
Guy Sidos, Chief Executive Officer of Vicat, stated that the transaction is part of the group's selective growth strategy and strengthening of its operational platform, and reflects its confidence in the recovery of the French market. The assets concerned benefit, in his view, from a geographical positioning covering both the Rhône corridor and the Côte d'Azur.
A timeline subject to competition authority approval
A preliminary agreement protocol has been concluded between Cemex and Vicat. It provides for consultation of employee representative bodies, with discussions to continue over the coming weeks to finalize transaction documentation.
The transaction is expected to be completed before December 31, 2026. It remains subject to prior approval by the competent competition authority under merger control regulations.
The group highlights industrial, commercial and logistical synergies, in particular with its cement business. The transaction would also be a lever to accelerate the deployment of low-carbon solutions, by enabling better control of concrete formulations and increased use of cement additions.
A new debt target set between 1.3x and 1.5x
To account for this acquisition and its intention to maintain maneuverability for targeted growth operations, Vicat has set a new financial leverage target of between 1.3x and 1.5x for the 2026-2027 period.
The group recalls that it has successfully completed a deleveraging phase that brought its financial leverage from 2.8x at the end of 2022 to 1.5x at the end of 2025.
Vicat, listed on Euronext Paris and a member of the SBF 120 index, achieved consolidated revenue of 3,854 million euros in 2025. The group operates in 12 countries and employs 10,500 people, with three main business segments: cement, ready-mix concrete and aggregates.
