PARIS - Lafarge, a French leading firm of building materials, is planning to slash 460 posts worldwide including 90 jobs in France this year, the company said Thursday.

The move of the company aims to focus on more profitable activities and boost its services, said a statement posted on Lafarge's website.

According to the statement, the cut will affect staff working on research and development, marketing, engineering, human resources and communications "with a voluntary redundancy plan."

"The new Group organization will enable Lafarge to be more focused on the needs of its markets and its customers, and to accelerate the development of the Group through organic growth and innovation," the group said.

Lafarge employs 76,000 workers in 78 countries and regions across the world. In 2010, the group posted a turnover of 16.2 billion euros ($21.3 billion).