MAIRE has announced that its subsidiary Nextchem has signed a binding agreement to acquire a metals and chemicals processing technology business from Metso Corporation for an enterprise value of €40 million, strengthening its capabilities in mineral processing, inorganic chemistry and critical raw materials.

The transaction, which will be completed through the acquisition of a newly incorporated company established by Metso in Germany, includes operations in Germany, Sweden and India. The deal comprises €32 million in upfront consideration, subject to customary closing adjustments, and an additional €8 million earn-out. Completion is expected in mid-2027, subject to regulatory approvals, the carve-out process and customary closing conditions.

The business is a globally recognised technology provider serving the metals and chemicals processing industries, offering technology licensing, proprietary equipment and aftermarket services. Its portfolio covers thermal treatment of ores, concentrates and residues, recovery of valuable metals, and the treatment and purification of metallurgical off-gases.

Its technologies include fluidised-bed roasting and metallurgical off-gas treatment solutions, supporting the management of sulphur-bearing emissions and other contaminants while improving resource efficiency and compliance with environmental standards.

The acquisition will bring Nextchem more than 60 patent families covering fluidised-bed reactors, gas-solid separation systems, thermal treatment processes and metal oxide production, alongside emerging applications involving hydrogen in fluidised-bed systems.

The business also has more than 1,000 industrial references worldwide, including 300 roasting installations and over 100 gas-cleaning installations. It holds a leading position in zinc and pyrite applications, with technologies for removing mercury, arsenic and fluorine from industrial emissions.

Following completion, the business will operate through established engineering, technology, service and research facilities, including headquarters in Oberursel and an R&D centre in Frankfurt, Germany, as well as operations in Sweden and India. Its workforce comprises approximately 180 specialised professionals.

MAIRE said the acquisition will expand Nextchem's technology offering and create commercial synergies with Tecnimont, while increasing the Group's exposure to markets benefiting from long-term trends in electrification and AI infrastructure.

The deal is expected to strengthen the Group's position across evolving industrial value chains, particularly those linked to the processing of critical and strategic raw materials.

Fabio Fritelli, Managing Director of Nextchem, commented: "This acquisition will significantly enhance Nextchem’s offering in critical and strategic raw materials, an area of growing importance for global industrial development. The combination of proprietary technologies, extensive industrial references and highly specialized know-how will allow us to broaden our presence in the metals and chemical processing industries and support our customers in improving resource efficiency, reducing environmental impact and enabling the evolution of the critical and strategic raw material processing value chains. We are also pleased to welcome a team of approximately 180 highly skilled professionals whose expertise will contribute to the next phase of Nextchem’s growth."

Piia Karhu, President, Minerals at Metso, added: “MAIRE is well positioned to further develop these businesses, that are synergistic with their existing business, while providing long-term value to customers and employees. In line with Metso’s strategy, this divestment further sharpens our focus on minerals processing and metals refining solutions”. -OGN/TradeArabia News Service