By John Revill

ZURICH--Construction materials group CRH Ltd (CRH) expects to receive regulatory decisions on a 6.5-billion-euro ($7.31-billion) purchase Holcim Ltd. (HOLN.VX) and Lafarge SA (LG.FR) operations as soon as next month, the Irish company's chief executive said Thursday.

Earlier this month, Dublin-based CRH agreed to buy operations from the two cement giants, which are finalizing a $47 billion union, in Canada, Europe, Brazil and the Philippines. CRH recently raised EUR1.6 billion in a share offering to help pay for the acquisition.

CRH Chief Executive Albert Manifold said the acquired facilities would help CRH expand in both North America and Europe, where it sees opportunities to expand its business.

"There are significant building needs and funding going to countries like Poland, Slovakia and Romania," Mr. Manifold said. He said construction growth in those countries could be as high as 4% annually over the next 10 years.

Mr. Manifold, who was speaking after CRH reported 2014 earnings that beat analyst forecasts in 2014, said the company had already begun discussions with regulators in the various markets and expected decisions in March and April. The acquisitions require the approval of CRH shareholders and an extraordinary shareholders meeting has been scheduled for March 19.

Mr. Manifold said his company would continue to trim its portfolio, as well as make further acquisitions, in 2015. The company has already agreed to sell plants and businesses worth about EUR580 million.

During 2014, CRH spent EUR190 million on 21 acquisitions and would continue to be active in M&A, particularly in North America.

"Expect that level to continue," he said.

Write to John Revill at john.revill@wsj.com

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