Carmeuse Cementing Control: Belgian Firm Acquires Chilean Cement Maker Bío Bío for $505 Million
Santiago, Chile – Belgian lime and limestone giant Carmeuse has successfully completed its acquisition of Chilean cement company Bío Bío Cemento (CBB) in a deal valued at approximately $505 million. The move, finalized after a public acquisition offer (OPA) garnered over 90% acceptance from shareholders, marks a significant strategic expansion for Carmeuse and a notable shift in the South American cement landscape.
The pursuit of CBB began in March of this year, with Carmeuse initially expressing interest to the controlling shareholders – the Briones, rozas, and Stein families, who held a 64.57% stake. By May, the Belgian firm escalated its intentions, launching a formal OPA with a price of $1.91127 per share.
the successful completion of the OPA, wich closed on [date – inferred from “a few hours after the end of the term of the offer” and “August 13, 2025” launch date – likely late August/early September 2025], saw Carmeuse secure 90.21% of the offered shares – exceeding the required 66.67% threshold. This included the stake held by Peruvian company Yura, which previously owned approximately 20% of CBB.
This acquisition represents a ample increase in valuation compared to a previous OPA attempt in November 2024, when Gloria Group valued the company at $250 million.
Strategic Implications for Carmeuse & Grupo Gloria
For Carmeuse, the acquisition of CBB is a key step in bolstering its portfolio of essential materials for the burgeoning energy transition. Lime, a product derived from limestone, is crucial in the processing of vital minerals like lithium, nickel