RNS Number:0652Q
Lafarge
23 September 2003

           Lafarge announces sale of its stake in Materis

Lafarge today announced that it has signed an agreement for the sale of its
stake in Materis to LBO France, an investment fund. The transaction amounts to a
total of approximately Euro210 million. It takes place concurrently with the sale
by CVC Capital Partners, Advent International and Carlyle of their own stake in
Materis. Lafarge will invest Euro20 million in the newly created company
(equivalent to a 7% equity stake).

Lafarge continues to pursue its selective asset disposal programme announced for
2003 of between Euro400 to Euro600 million. Including the sale of its stake in
Materis, a total amount of Euro450 million from disposals has now been secured.

This acquisition remains subject to customary approvals from the regulatory
authorities. 

Lafarge is the world leader in building materials and employs 77,000 people in
75 countries. The Group holds top-ranking positions in all four of its
Divisions: Cement, Aggregates & Concrete, Roofing and Gypsum. Lafarge posted
sales of Euro14.6 billion in 2002. For further information, please visit our web
site at: www.lafarge.com
 
PRESS CONTACTS:                         INVESTOR RELATIONS:

Veronique Doux:   (+33) 1 44 34 19 47   James Palmer:  (+33) 1 44 34 11 26
veronique.doux@lafarge.com              james.palmer@lafarge.com

Brunswick                               Daniele Daouphars:  (+33) 1 44 34 11 51
Stephanie Tessier (+33) 1 53 96 83 79   daniele.daouphars@lafarge.com
stessier@brunswickgroup.com


Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts, including
information about our plans for divestitures, are forward-looking statements
made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act Of 1995. These statements are not guarantees of future performance
and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions ('Factors'), which are
difficult to predict. Some of the Factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed in the forward looking statements include,
but are not limited to: the cyclical nature of the Company's business; national
and regional economic conditions in the countries in which the Group does
business; currency fluctuations; seasonal nature of the Company's operations;
levels of construction spending in major markets; supply/demand structure of the
industry; competition from new or existing competitors; unfavorable weather
conditions during peak construction periods; changes in and implementation of
environmental and other governmental regulations; our ability to successfully
identify, complete and efficiently integrate acquisitions; our ability to
successfully penetrate new markets; and other factors disclosed in the Company's
public filings with the French Commission des Operations de Bourse and the US
Securities and Exchange Commission including its Reference Document COB number
DO3-0375 as updated on June 5, 2003 and annual report on Form 20-F. In general,
the Company is subject to the risks and uncertainties of the construction
Industry and of doing business throughout the world. The forward-looking
statements are made as of this date and the Company undertakes no obligation to
update them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



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