The S&B Group signed a definitive agreement to acquire a bentonite processing plant from ΟΜYΑ GmbH, through its German subsidiary S&B Industrial Minerals GmbH.
The purchase price, including inventories, reached Euro 4 million. The processing plant is situated in the Neuss port in Germany, on river Rhine, and has an annual production capacity of 50,000 tons.
S&B aims to use the new plant for producing white bentonite high value-added products in fine and superfine quality. These micronized products of high whiteness are used worldwide in pulp and paper production processes, and as additives in paints and coatings, ceramic applications, food industry and detergent production.
This acquisition enhances S&B's capacity to fulfill present and future market demand for innovative white bentonite products, used in the strong growth specialty applications. Additionally, the logistics in the port of Neuss favour the global supply of S&B's customers.
S&B Industrial Minerals Bentonite Division General Manager Mr Kriton Anavlavis stated: The addition of the new plant in Neuss to the Bentonite Division, provides us with an extra competitive advantage for faster growth in the specialized and evolving markets of white bentonite. We anticipate full amortization of our investment in three years, and doubling of our sales in white bentonite products to Euro 10 million.