The industrial minerals world has been in the grip of a mergers and acquisitions (M&A) trend at the start of 2010 that has been driven by the need to diversify and add value.
Many of the active buyers have been traditionally metals focused companies looking to portfolio expansion. Those who already have a presence in the industry have been looking to add value to the mineral product through vertical integration.
Yara International ASA’s $4.1bn. deal to acquire US fertiliser maker, Terra Industries Inc., led the pack of fertiliser takeovers in terms of value. The acquisition will see the Norwegian nitrogen fertiliser producer and phosphate rock miner add North American plants to its assets (see p.25: Forgotten fertiliser).
Courtesy Yara International
Brazil’s Vale SA was...