LKAB Minerals, an international industrial minerals group, says it is looking to complete its acquisition of Francis Flower on 3 December, after the planned acquisition announced on 10 October received clearance from the Austrian Competition Authority.
“This is a positive and exciting step towards strengthening the two companies. We are looking forward to welcoming Francis Flower into LKAB in the coming weeks,” said Darren Wilson, CEO Europe for LKAB Minerals.
Francis Flower has been in operation since the 1950’s in the ownership of the Willmott family.
Ground Granulated Blast furnace Slag (GGBS) is produced by quenching molten iron slag (a by-product of iron and steel-making) from a blast furnace in water or steam, to produce a glassy, granular product that is then dried and ground into a fine powder. It replaces up to 70% of the Portland Cement in concrete, and can significantly reduce CO₂ emissions. Francis Flower produces GGBS in Scunthorpe, England and is the second largest supplier of the material in the UK.
LKAB Minerals has a leading position in a number of product applications. It has sales representation, offices, production units and deposits in 11 countries in Europe, Asia and the US and employs around 300 people. LKAB Minerals had a turnover of €251 million in 2017. The firm supplies more than 30 minerals. The core products are MagnaDense, an iron ore aggregate, supplied to the construction and offshore industries, MagnaChem supplied to water treatment, Magnetite for Sponge Iron production, UltraCarb, MicaFort and MagniF for polymers and coatings.
