H.C. Starck continues on profitable growth track
March 27, 2012
H.C. Starck, a leading manufacturer of refractory metals and technical ceramics, states that it achieved sustainable and profitable growth in 2011. Worldwide, H.C. Starck’s sales grew by 28% to €883.2 million in 2011, from €689.3 million in 2010. Operating profits also grew significantly compared to the year before.
“2011 was an outstanding year for H.C. Starck. We have more than exceeded our strategic and operational goals in all business segments and have continued on the positive, profitable growth track from the previous year,” stated Andreas Meier, Chairman of the H.C. Starck Executive Board.
2012: Introducing new products and strengthening commitment in Asia
For the 2012 financial year, the company expects good results despite the current difficulty in assessing economic prospects and low demand in the electronics industry at the beginning of 2012.
“We’ve had a good start into 2012, however, the international economic conditions are significantly more demanding than they were last year,” said Meier.
“Our goal is to prove the sustainability of our business success in 2012. We want to build on our market positions and use our technical expertise to develop new products and branch out into new markets. With our almost 100 years of experience in manufacturing technically sophisticated refractory metals, we can deliver crucial added value.”
Meier continued, “We want to further develop our fast-growing, unique recycling activities. We are the global technology leader when it comes to recycling refractory metals. With a current rate of around 50%, recycling is a vital pillar in our materials sourcing.”
Furthermore, alongside expanding European capacity in 2012, H.C. Starck intends to strengthen its regional commitments, particularly in Asia, and will invest in the development of high-quality tungsten products in China. In 2011, the company signed agreements for two joint ventures in the production of tungsten chemicals, tungsten metal, and tungsten carbide in 2011 with Jiangxi Rare Metals Tungsten Holding Group Co. Ltd. (JXTC), one of the largest tungsten mining companies in China.
Following the planned ground breaking ceremony for the production plant in early 2012, the plant should begin production of several thousand tons of high-quality tungsten products for the Chinese market in a matter of months.
In October 2011, the ground breaking ceremony took place at the production plant site for CS Energy Materials Ltd (CSEM), a joint venture with Japanese chemical firm Japan New Chisso Corp., for the development and manufacture of cathode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries used in electric cars. Production is due to begin mid-2012 in Minamata, Japan.
Edited by: Paul Whittaker, Editor ipmd.net, [email protected]
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