Cristal Global announces a groundbreaking TiO2 industry partnership with Outotec

Highlights:

• New project to bring equilibrium across the vertical industry value chain for Cristal Global’s customers and partners.
• Outotec selected to build an AC Arc ilmenite smelting plant for Cristal Global in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.
• KSA location to provide vital operational synergies and cost savings for Cristal Global.
• The plant, estimated to become operational in Q4 2013, brings a new source of 85% TiO₂ slag onto the market:
  • Initial capacity of 500,000 tonnes of TiO₂ slag,
  • 235,000 tonnes of high purity pig iron as valuable co-product,
  • Scalable facility – maximum production of 1,000,000 tonnes of TiO₂ slag is possible.

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cristal Global, one of the leading vertically integrated Titanium chemicals companies in the world, is pleased to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Outotec, a leading provider of sustainable minerals and metals processing solutions. The parties signed a Letter of Intent October 31, 2011.

Outotec has been selected to build a new fully scalable ilmenite-processing plant for Cristal Global in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, estimated to become operational in Q4 2013. The plant will be constructed on a turnkey basis, will require 800,000 tonnes of ilmenite ore to produce 500,000 tonnes of 85% TiO₂ slag with 235,000 tonnes of high purity pig iron as a valuable co-product.

The smelter’s location brings significant cost savings and operational synergies, due to the logistics, cost savings, and abundant power capacity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Thomas VanValkenburgh, Vice President of Supply Chain at Cristal Global, commented:

“Cristal Global is proud to bring its expertise, capital and strategic vision to this new project, poised to benefit the whole vertical industry value chain through additional TiO₂ feedstock production capacity. We’ve made the decision to invest now to ensure that our customers, business partners and wider stakeholders have the security of stable supply of TiO₂, which is vital for the future and growth of the whole industry.

We look forward to working with our partner, Outotec, on this project, as well as to more fruitful collaboration with our current mineral sands suppliers and our integrated upstream subsidiary BeMax. We believe this investment will create growth and opportunities across the vertical industry value chain.”

Notes for Editors

About Cristal Global

Cristal Global is a leading globally vertically integrated chemical and pigments company, primarily focused on the Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂) technology. Cristal Global’s headquarters are located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with significant presence in North America, Latin America, Europe (UK, France, and Belgium), Australia and China. With approximately 4000 employees worldwide, Cristal Global is a strong and stable global operator, with strong values, clear strategy, best-in-class R&D and a long-term investment perspective. Cristal Global is the 2nd largest TiO₂ producer in the world, a leading manufacturer of ultrafine TiO₂ and the largest merchant supplier of titanium with global revenues surpassing US$2.2bn in 2010.

About Outotec

Outotec develops and provides technology solutions for the sustainable use of Earth's natural resources. As a global leader in minerals and metals processing technology, Outotec has developed over decades several breakthrough technologies. The company also offers innovative solutions for the chemical industry, industrial water treatment and the utilization of alternative energy sources. With a global network of sales and service centers, research facilities and more than 3,400 experts, Outotec generated annual sales of EUR 970 million in 2010. Outotec shares are listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. www.outotec.com