HeidelbergCement reported a strong start to the year as sales volumes in emerging markets helped compensate for a depressed market in Europe, owing to a harsh winter and lost working days. Group revenue for the period from January to March 2013 decreased 1.4 per cent to € 2.76 billion, compared with € 2.80 billion in Q1, 2012. The company reported growth in cement volumes in North America, Asia, and Africa. Its cement and clinker volumes saw a decline of 0.7 per cent from 18.2 million tonne in 2012 to 18.1 million tonne. Operating income before depreciation rose by 3.5 per cent to € 219 million, while operating income increased by 35 per cent.