H.C. Starck completes sale of its Tantalum & Niobium Division to JX Nippon Mining & Metals
July 23, 2018
H.C. Starck recently completed the sale of its Tantalum & Niobium (Ta/Nb) Division to JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation (JXNMM), Japan, a global manufacturer of non-ferrous resources and materials. The acquisition of H.C. Starck Ta/Nb was conducted by JXNMM through its German subsidiary, JX Materials Deutschland GmbH (JXMD). With the completion of the transaction, JXNMM stated that it has established a new Technology Group Tantalum & Niobium Division, which will cooperate with JXMD to oversee the management of H.C. Starck Ta/Nb’s management.
Based in Munich, Germany, H.C. Starck Ta/Nb converts metal ores and secondary materials into tantalum and niobium-based powders, and has has long-standing experience in the development and manufacturing of high-performance metal powders for capacitors and for sputter targets, including chemically highly pure oxides. The division currently employs around 600 people.
JXNMM stated that the acquisition is part of a strategy to develop and strengthen its electronic materials business from 2017-2019, in response to the continuing growth of the electronic components and devices market. The company reportedly intends to bring together and put to use the technologies, expertise, networks and various other management resources across the JXNMM Group, and in this way strengthen its sales and product development capabilities, achieve more efficient operations and increase its potential contribution to the advancement of a connected society through a stable supply of materials.
In addition, the company has stated that it places growing importance on its European operations, particularly for its midstream and downstream operations, and sees Germany as a global centre for many metal-related businesses including automotive and electronics, as well as a major source of cutting-edge research. The acquisition of the Munich-based company is expected to further support the JXNMM’s goal of “developing and strengthening technology-based businesses that will be mainstays of the future.”
