Votorantim Cimentos Q1 global cement sales rise 4% on year on strong Brazil demand

Brazilian building materials company Votorantim Cimentos sold 8 million metric tons of cement globally in the first quarter of 2026, up 4% from the first quarter of 2025, the company said May 13.

The volume growth was largely driven by a higher demand environment in Brazil, the company's primary market, supported by the execution of housing programs and infrastructure investments. This led to a notable increase in domestic sales volumes during the quarter.

"We ended the first quarter with solid operational and financial delivery, registering consistent growth in a period marked by the sector's seasonality," Global CEO Osvaldo Ayres said in the earnings release. "We are advancing consistently with our investments aimed at structural competitiveness, capacity expansion, decarbonization, and new businesses."

To support growing demand, Votorantim Cimentos invested Real 742 million in capital expenditures during the quarter, a 35% increase year over year. A significant portion of these investments was directed toward expansion projects, notably the startup of a new mill at the Edealina plant in Goiás, Brazil, which is expected to double the unit's cement production capacity.

The company noted that its accelerated investment plan in Brazil is on track to make 3.7 million mt of additional capacity available in the country by the end of 2026.

Regionally, the company's North American operations faced cooling demand and unfavorable weather conditions characteristic of the season, which kept regional revenues relatively flat.

However, operations in Europe and Asia saw volume growth, particularly in Spain, due to a warmer demand environment. Operations in Turkey also maintained solid delivery volumes despite adverse weather conditions. In Latin America, Votorantim Cimentos reported positive volume dynamics in both Bolivia and Uruguay, navigating a challenging macroeconomic environment in the broader region.

While prioritizing capacity and volume growth, the company reported consolidated global net revenue of Real $6.3 billion for the quarter, a 15% increase year over year excluding foreign exchange variations. In March, the company also issued Real 650 million in debentures to optimize its debt profile and extend maturity.

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, last assessed Cement CIF Houston at $88/metric ton on May 7.