Brazil steelmaker CSN holds new bidding round for cement unit

Cementir Holding NV

04/08/2026 17:43

By Luciana Magalhaes
SAO PAULO, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Brazilian steelmaker CSN CSNA3.SA is holding a second round of bidding for its cement unit this week, targeting a year-end closing for the deal that could exceed 10 billion reais ($1.95 billion), two people familiar with the talks told Reuters.
The sources said top contenders include China's Huaxin 600801.SS and a consortium formed by Brazil's Votorantim and Italy-founded Cementir CEMI.MI. Both proposals are expected to exceed 10 billion reais.
One of the sources said Brazilian group Polimix, one of the country's largest cement companies, is also in the process and expected to participate in the new round.
Brazilian newspaper Valor Economico was first to report on the new bidding round.
Votorantim declined to comment. CSN, Huaxin, Cementir and Polimix did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
CSN is divesting key assets to alleviate its heavy debt burden. 
The conglomerate appointed advisers earlier this year to sell control of CSN Cimentos and a stake in CSN Infrastructure, which operates its railway and logistics assets, among others.
Chief Financial Officer Marco Rabello told Reuters in April that deals could close by the end of the year, but final approval could take longer as it would require clearance from Brazilian antitrust regulator CADE.

(Reporting by Luciana Magalhaes; Editing by Brad Haynes and Rod Nickel)
((Luciana.NovaesMagalhaes@thomsonreuters.com;))