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BNP Paribas acted as Global Advisor in the acquisition of Blue Circle by Lafarge

BNP-Paribas acted as global advisor together with Dresdner Kleinwort Benson (DKB) in the acquisition of Blue Circle by Lafarge. BNP Paribas and DKB will be joint lead managers for the issuing of new equity and the debt financing.

Under the supervision of Thierry Varene, the team was coordinated by Ludovic de Montille (investment banker for Lafarge) and included Thierry Dormeuil and Cyrille de l'Epine (Buiding Materials), Jean-Claude Ropiquet and Jean-Louis Auteroche for ECM. Andrew Melrose contributed for Equity research. Jean-Louis Duguit, Bruno Tassard and François Regnier were in charge of the debt financing.

This acquisition will create the world's biggest cement producer with an enhanced global network. The enlarged Lafarge Group will be one of the leading producers of cement in western Europe ; it will also enjoy an increased presence in the Mediterranean region and the leading position amongst international cement group in Asia.

The acquisition is subject to the pre-condition that funding is arranged by no later than 29 January 2001. Lafarge intends to finance the acquisition partly through the issue of new equity by way of rights to existing Lafarge shareholders. The rights issue, which is intended to raise approximately Euros 1 bn, will not be conditional upon the completion of the acquisition.