CEMEX Announces Expansion of New Braunfels, Texas Cement Plant - CEMEX Announces Expansion of New Braunfels, Texas Cement Plant - CEMEX USA

Monterrey, Mexico - February 16, 2006

CEMEX, S.A . de C.V. (NYSE: CX - News) announced today that it intends to begin the construction of a second kiln at its Balcones Cement Plant in New Braunfels, Texas. The expansion is expected to be completed in 2008. The total value of the investment over the course of three years is approximately $220 million.

CEMEX will invest worldwide $500 million in an expansion capital program planned for 2006. This program will fund the initial phase of the Balcones expansion and investments in countries such as Latvia, the UK and France, among others. This program will be fully funded with free cash flow generated during the year.

Investments under the program are expected to be immediately accretive and will have a significantly higher investment hurdle rate than CEMEX's acquisition criteria of a minimum return on capital employed of ten percent.

The company also announced that it expects to generate free cash flow this year of about $2.4 billion after maintenance capital expenditures.

The strong demand for cement, coupled with a current shortfall in regional supplies of cement, support CEMEX's need for expansion of its Texas facility. The current production of the Balcones Cement Plant is approximately 1.1 million tons per year, which is not sufficient to meet regional construction and infrastructure demands. CEMEX has received a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality which allows it to double its production capacity at Balcones and also includes several provisions and special conditions that will ensure CEMEX's continued commitment to the environment and neighboring communities, including the latest "state-of-the-art" emission control units.

CEMEX is a growing global building solutions company that provides high quality products and reliable service to customers and communities in more than 50 countries throughout the world. Commemorating its 100th anniversary in 2006, CEMEX has a rich history of improving the well-being of those it serves through its efforts to pursue innovative industry solutions and efficiency advancements and to promote a sustainable future. For more information, visit www.cemex.com.

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