Joesley Batista, one of the owners of JBS, is reportedly in talks to acquire the cement unit of Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN), a conglomerate owned by Benjamin Steinbruch. This negotiation comes at a time when CSN is under considerable pressure from creditors to sell parts of its operations to stabilize its financial standing. Batista’s negotiations are said to be direct with Steinbruch, reflecting the urgency and complexity of the situation for CSN, which has been exploring options for its assets, including working with Morgan Stanley to market the cement subsidiary.

The interest in CSN's assets is not limited to Batista; other companies, including Votorantim and the Chinese giant Huaxin Cement, are also in discussions regarding the acquisition of the cement unit. This illustrates a broader trend of consolidation in the cement industry, particularly as major players seek to capitalize on vulnerable market positions to expand their operations. Company insiders note that the discussions regarding the cement unit are still in their early stages, and there are no guarantees that an acquisition will finalize as negotiations proceed.

Additionally, there is speculation about J&F’s interest in CSN's mining arm, which has shown robust performance, producing 45.5 million tons of high-quality iron ore last year. This showcases the dual interest from Batista’s company not only to gain a foothold in the cement sector but also to expand within the mining industry, which could be a strategic move considering the resources being produced. As the negotiations unfold, both CSN and J&F, along with the other interested parties, face a pivotal moment that could reshape the competitive landscape in Brazil’s construction and mining markets.