Outotec has agreed to acquire the business of Sinter Plant Services CC in South Africa from the founders of the company to complement its service offering to South African ferrochrome plants. The transaction is expected to be closed by the end of this year. Sinter Plant Services provides spare parts and services to South African ferrochrome plants from its service center and manufacturing facility close to Johannesburg. The parties have agreed not to disclose the acquisition price. The acquisition will not impact Outotec's financial guidance for 2015.

Sinter Plant Services' some 40 employees will transfer to Outotec. The annual sales of the company have been some millions of euros.

"Outotec has delivered sustainable Steel Belt Sintering and Preheating Kiln technologies to all major ferrochrome producers, many of which are located in South Africa. We intend to complement our service portfolio as well as increase local resources and sourcing to become a stronger service partner to our customers. This acquisition strengthens our position as a provider of life-cycle solutions to the producers of ferroalloys", says Adel Hattab, head of EMEA region at Outotec.