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drymix.info Newsletter 164/2015; ISSN Number 1613-0111; 13. April 2015

1. Registration to idmmc five, Nürnberg, 20.4.15: Important Question to all Delegates
2. Third Advanced Building Materials Middle East Conference: Call for Papers available
3. Lhoist Joins drymix.info as Industrial Partner
4. Holcim and Lafarge: Thumbs Up for Merger after Irritations
5. Sika Acquires Construction Technology Australia

1. Registration to idmmc five, Nürnberg, 20.4.15: Important Question to all Delegates

As you know, The International Drymix Mortar Conference idmmc five takes place in Nürnberg on Monday, 20. April 2015. Some of you (especially our existing clients unfortunately) encountered problems when registering through our shop and paying by credit card. We apologize for the inconvenience and will address the problems by releasing a new shop shortly. Therefore, we have decided to send out a registration confirmation last Thursday to all on our list.

Important:IF YOU DID NOT receive such a separate REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION by e-mail last week, but intended to come to idmmc five, please get back with us immediately by e-mail! (to info@drymix.info). In this case, please also mention if you wish to attend the Delegate Welcome at Barfüsser im Mautkeller on Sunday, 19. April 2015, 19:00 and tell us how you wish to pay for your admission. We are sorry to say there is no access without prepaid admission for any delegate.

Reminder to our sponsors: please make sure your materials for the conference bag reach Nürnberg by Friday evening acc. to the Sponsor Informations we sent out earlier. The bags are being packed on Sunday morning, and introduction into the bags on Monday morning is not permitted.

We are sure idmmc five will be great this year, with lectures by (in alphabetical order) Akzo Nobel Chemicals, Avebe, Caltra, Calucem, Dow Construction Chemicals, Dow Corning, Italcementi, Kalekim, Lhoist, Mapei, Organik Kimya, Sika and Wacker. Additional contributions come from Acquos, Agrana, Air Products, Cementos Molins, Evonik, Italit, Lahti Precision, Neuvendis, Nubiola, Poraver, Schleibinger, Sofraden and ZKG International. We are grateful for this support, an event like idmmc five would not be possible without these sponsors.

2. Third Advanced Building Materials Middle East Conference, 14.10.15: Call for Papers Available

The Third Advanced Building Materials Middle East Conference is the multi-national and inter-disciplinary scientific conference for building materials experts of the GCC Nations and beyond. The Middle East Drymix Mortar Association MEDMA organizes it for the first time in Abu Dhabi: it takes place on 14. October 2015 at Le Royal Méridien Hotel on the magnificient Abu Dhabi Corniche. The Technical Committee of MEDMA, led by Technical Chairman Mohammed Sanaobar is now accepting lecturing proposals for review. This year's motto is "Standards Create Quality". Submission Deadline is 18. June 2015 (beginning of Ramadan). The Third Advanced Building Materials Middle East Conference creates a platform for architects, consultants and developers to meet with legislators, building material suppliers and the raw material industry. It also features a comprehensive Industry Showcase and ample networking time (sponsors: please obtain the List of Services which differs from the one issued by drymix.info!). As during the previous conferences at Armani Hotel Dubai, MEDMA is also planning a site visit the following day, proposals are welcome.

3. Lhoist Joins drymix.info as Industrial Partner

Lhoist Group, headquartered in Wavre, Belgium has decided to join drymix.info as Industrial Partner. Lhoist was founded in Belgium in 1924 and is a privately-owned company specializing in lime, limestone and dolomite derived products. Under the tradename "Tradical", Lhoist develops and markets a portfolio specifically developed for the construction materials market, namely hydrated lime, functional fillers and aggregates. Active all over the globe with more than 90 production sites in 25 countries, Lhoist employs almost 6.000 people from 40 nations

We warmly welcome Lhoist Group to our community.

4. Holcim and Lafarge: Thumbs Up for Merger after Irritations

The governing boards of the cement enterprises Holcim, Holderbank, Switzerland and Lafarge, Paris, France have announced that they found an agreement concerning the terms and conditions for a merger (we reported earlier) of the two companies. Holcim had announced at the recently that they wanted to re-negotiate the price as well as some personnel topics. The valuation of the shares was changed to nine Holcim shares against ten from Lafarge. The first CEO will be only be announced after the completed merger. Wolfgang Reitzle, designated Chairman of the governing board of LafargeHolcim said „I am happy that we are now able to further pursue our project for the creation of a truly globally leading company in construction chemistry.“ The completion of the merger is planned for the first half of 2015. LafargeHolcim will become the world's largest cement manufacturer.

5. Sika Acquires Construction Technology Australia

Sika AG of Baar, Switzerland has agreed to acquire Construction Technologies Australia Pty Ltd (CT Australia), Sydney, NSW, Australia. The company is focussed on the market of professional tile application and waterproofing. The company's products range contains cementitious tile adhesives, grouts and other associated mortars as well as primers, (liquid) membranes and other waterproofing products. CT Australia generated sales of 25 mio Euro (AU$ 35 million) in 2014 and has 51 employees. According to Sika sources, the deal valued CT Australia at 25 mio to 28,6 mio Euro (AU$ 35–40 million). Managing Director and majority shareholder Troy Hogan and other key members of the CT Australia team will stay on with Sika. The distribution of CT Australia's products in New Zealand will also transfer to Sika (NZ) Ltd.

With this acquisition, Sika is continuing its global strategy in the mortar field (we reported earlier). Including CT Australia, Sika produces mortars today in 79 plants worldwide.

The drymix.info Newsletter is being sent exclusively to registered subscribers and all members of drymix.info. Editor-in-Chief: Ferdinand Leopolder. Back issues will be published on www.drymix.info. Please also check our Chinese Edition on www.drymix.info.

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Sincerely Yours, Ferdinand Leopolder