Boliden acquires Kemira’s sulphuric acid plant in Kokkola

Boliden has acquired Kemira’s sulphuric acid plant and business in Kokkola, Finland, effective as of 1st May 2010. The acquisition will enable Boliden to conduct its sulphuric acid manufacturing operations at Kokkola in-house, and thereby gain control over the entire process flow.

Sulphur dioxide is a by-product of both zinc and copper production. The sulphur dioxide can be refined to produce sulphuric acid, a chemical with a wide range of uses in numerous sectors, including the artificial fertiliser, pulp and mining industries. Boliden’s Kokkola zinc smelter in Finland has previously sold its sulphur dioxide to Kemira Oy, which has, in turn, refined the gas to produce sulphuric acid. The sulphuric acid plant has an annual production capacity of approximately 300,000 tonnes and the majority of its production is sold to local companies, as well as to other industrial facilities in Finland. The existing contracts will be taken over in conjunction with the acquisition, which also includes installations, land and around 20 employees. The transaction will not have a significant effect on Boliden’s results. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The Boliden Group is a significant producer of sulphuric acid and has sulphuric acid plants at the Odda zinc smelter and the Harjavalta and Rönnskär copper smelters, producing a total of 1.1 million tonnes of sulphuric acid in 2009.