Since its inception in 1956, IFC has financed approx. 303 firms in the building material sector, representing a total cumulative commitment of over US$3.5 billion. IFC's current active building material portfolio stands at US$866 million (outstanding and undisbursed), of which US$783 million consist of loan products. These investments span the cement, glass, ceramic tiles, and other construction material segments, in companies in Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Africa.
Subsector Categories:
- Calcined Clay
- Cement
- Ceramic Tiles
- Containers
- Fiber Optics
- Flat (Float,Sheet)
- Glass Wool
Examples of IFC investments:
- Cement: Anhui Conch (China): Anhui Conch is the largest cement producer in China. In 2005, IFC disbursed a US$80 million loan to Anhui Conch to finance its capital expenditure program. Further, IFC also approved a US$40 million equity investment in the company. Through this investment, IFC will facilitate the company in implementing its share reform plan thereby transferring privately held shares to IFC to be publicly listed. The share reform in China is an important initiative to mobilize and increase the liquidity of China’s capital markets, and IFC’s investment affirms its commitment to capital market reform in China.
- Glass: Sisecam Group (Turkey): In 2003, IFC provided a loan package including a US$60 million A loan and a US$37.5 million B loan to Sisecam Group in Turkey to assist its expansion and modernization projects with its subsidiaries. The funds helped strengthen Sisecam's leading position as a glass producer in the region.
- Ceramics: RAK Ceramics (United Arab Emirates): RAK Ceramics U.A.E. is one of the world’s largest ceramic tiles and sanitaryware companies. In 2003, IFC provided a loan of US$12 million to finance RAK Ceramics’ greenfield plant in Bangladesh. Subsequently, in 2004, IFC provided an additional $40 million in loans to finance the company's new plants in India, Iran and China.
