SigmaRoc said it remains on track to meet full-year expectations after delivering stronger profitability, higher margins and improved earnings in the first half of 2026, despite continued geopolitical uncertainty and mixed construction markets.

The European lime and minerals producer reported a 2.5% rise in revenue to £523.1m for the six months to 30 June, driven in part by higher sales volumes. SigmaRoc reported 1% growth in core like-for-like volumes, the first volume increase in three years.

Profitability and margins rose significantly across the half year. Underlying earnings grew 11.3% while earnings per share increased 12.2%, supported by strong pricing, cost controls and continued synergies from the CRH Lime, the lime and limestone business that SigmaRoc acquired from CRH, the large Irish building materials group.

The London-based company also secured an €825m investment-grade financing facility with a further €300m accordion facility to support acquisitions, and received planning permission for an additional 64 million tonnes of high-grade limestone reserves at its Klinthagen quarry in Sweden.

The group said industrial demand remained strong, particularly in steel, pulp and paper and chemicals, while environmental markets continued to benefit from structural growth. Construction activity improved during the second quarter, led by infrastructure projects in Germany, although UK residential markets remained weak.

CEO Max Vermorken said: "SigmaRoc delivered a strong first half, with improved profitability and continued deleveraging. Core volumes were modestly up year on year, a major achievement given the levels of uncertainty following the conflict in the Middle East.

"In addition, the Group is well positioned to benefit from powerful infrastructure and re-industrialisation tailwinds, including the German stimulus as its deployment gains momentum, as well as the returns it can capture from its capital allocation strategy geared towards growth."

Shares rose around 5% as investors welcomed the quality of the earnings growth, with profits increasing much faster than revenue, alongside confidence that the integration of the CRH acquisition is continuing to deliver operational efficiencies.

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