Metso to Divest Ferrous Business to SMS Group in Strategic Move to Strengthen Focus on Copper and Battery Minerals

Metso to Divest Ferrous Business to SMS Group in Strategic Move to Strengthen Focus on Copper and Battery Minerals

(IN BRIEF) Metso has agreed to sell its Ferrous business, including the travelling grate pelletizing and Circored™ direct reduction process, to SMS group, a global leader in metals industry technology. This deal, set to close in the first quarter of 2026, involves transferring around 180 employees from Germany, India, and China to SMS group. The divestment is part of Metso’s broader strategy to focus on businesses with strong synergies, particularly in the copper and battery minerals sectors. The transaction is not expected to have a material profit or loss impact on Metso.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESPOO, 30-May-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Metso has reached an agreement to divest its Ferrous business to SMS group, a leading global provider of technology and services in plant construction and mechanical engineering for the metals industry. This sale includes businesses such as the travelling grate pelletizing and Circored™ direct reduction process, along with their associated service operations. Approximately 180 employees, primarily located in Germany, India, and China, are expected to transfer to SMS group upon the completion of the transaction.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026. The businesses being sold, excluding the service operations, have been classified as discontinued operations in Metso’s financial reporting since October 2023. The parties involved have chosen not to disclose the transaction’s financial terms. Metso anticipates no material impact on its profit and loss as a result of the sale.

Piia Karhu, President of Metso’s Minerals business area, commented, “SMS group is an ideal partner for these ferrous technologies. Their scale and focus will help maximize the potential of these businesses, supported by the committed team that will continue to develop these technologies to benefit customers.”

Thomas Hansmann, Chief Technology Officer of SMS group, said, “We are excited to incorporate these innovative technologies into our portfolio, along with the expertise of the team. The Circored™ technology aligns with our ambition to be a leading player in the green transformation of the metals industry.”

In addition to this divestiture, Metso has made strategic decisions regarding its other Ferrous, Heat Transfer, and Metals and Chemical Processing businesses. Metso will retain those operations with strong market potential and synergies with its copper and battery minerals business. The planning process for the wind-down of the remaining businesses is set to begin, with the retained operations to be incorporated into the Minerals segment.

Metso had previously announced its decision to divest its Ferrous and Heat Transfer and Metals and Chemical Processing businesses in March 2023.

Metso is a frontrunner in sustainable technologies, end-to-end solutions and services for the aggregates, minerals processing and metals refining industries globally. We improve our customers’ energy and water efficiency, increase their productivity, and reduce environmental risks with our product and service expertise. We are the partner for positive change.

Metso is headquartered in Espoo, Finland. At the end of 2024 Metso had close to 17,000 employees in around 50 countries, and sales in 2024 were about EUR 4.9 billion. Metso is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.

metso.com

Media Contacts:

Piia Karhu, President, Minerals, Metso, tel. +358 20 484 100, email: piia.karhu(at)metso.com

Heidi Valle, Vice President, Communications and Brand, Metso Corporation, tel. +358 20 141 3406, email: heidi.valle(at)metso.com

SOURCE: Metso