The Boral Limited (ASX: BLD) share price is bouncing around in early morning trade, currently up 0.3%.
Below, we take a look at the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) listed building products and construction materials company's latest market announcement.
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What did Boral report this morning?
The Boral share price is edging higher after the company reported it is studying various options for its North American fly ash business. Those options include a potential joint venture (JV), strategic alliance, divestment to a third party or continued ownership
If you're not familiar, fly ash is a byproduct of coal combustion. It's mainly used to improve the durability of concrete.
Commenting on the plans for its North American fly ash business, Boral's CEO Zlatko Todorcevski said:
We have conducted a detailed study of the US fly ash industry and remain confident in the long term demand dynamics for the industry, including significant incremental demand growth potential from the US government's proposed new infrastructure program.
United State's President Joe Biden has pledged to spend some US$2 trillion to revamp the US economy and upgrade the nation's ageing infrastructure. That, as Todorcevski points out, will see a boost in the demand for concrete and fly ash.
Addressing the US shift to renewables and away from coal-fired power, Todorcevski continued:
New opportunities for supply exist from harvesting landfills, imports and natural pozzolans, which we expect will more than offset the decline in fresh fly ash supply as the US transitions away from coal fired power generation. As we continue to build our alternative supply strategy, strategic alliances and opportunities for partnership will be considered in parallel with divestment options or continued ownership.
The company said it has appointed advisors to assist with the study of its US fly ash business. It will provide an update when there is material progress or with its full year results in August, whichever comes sooner.
Earlier this month, on 1 April, the Boral share price got a big lift on a separate announcement related to its US businesses. That came after the company reported it had completed the sale of its 50% share in the USG Boral joint venture to Gebr Knauf KG for US$1.02 billion.
Boral share price snapshot
Boral shares have performed strongly over the past 12 months, up 120%. That compares to a gain of 28% on the ASX 200.
So far in 2021, the Boral share price is up 20%.
