HEIDELBERG, Germany, March 19 - HeidelbergCement’s debt burden eased in the fourth quarter but it sees no recovery in the demand for building materials, the German cement maker said on Thursday.

The company reduced its net debt, initially ballooned by its $16bn takeover of British builder Hanson in 2007, to €11.6bn ($15.13bn) at the end of 2008 from €12.3bn in the third quarter, it said.