After many years of global consolidation, from a corporate perspective the talc industry seems to have entered a transitional period. The world’s two leading producers, Luzenac Group and Mondo Minerals BV, accounting for some 36% of the market, are changing ownership.
In February 2011, Rio Tinto Minerals (RTM) finally offloaded its talc business, Luzenac Group, and found a ready, if not unexpected, buyer in Imerys -the deal is undergoing formal approvals and is expected to be complete later in 2011.
In March 2011, Mondo Minerals BV was put up for sale by its parent of four years, London-based private equity group HgCapital, which is awaiting a buyer.
Meanwhile, the market remains cautious amid a “wait-and-see” strategy, looking forward to see how the two transactions will impact the market.
“The global talc space is in a bit of a flux at this time, with many transactions pending...