Resumen de Imerys takeover of SA Andalusite Resources blocked by CompComm
The proposed takeover of South Africa's Andalusite Resources by industrial minerals giant Imerys SA - which industry insiders have described as "a gamechanger" for the market - has been blocked by the country's Competition Commission (CompComm), which said the transaction would remove an effective competitor in the fine and medium grade andalusite market.
"Calderys, the downstream arm of Imerys, is also one of the major players in the supply of refractory products and the merged entity would have an incentive to engage in input foreclosure through Calderys, post-merger, or through supplying export markets to the detriment of competition downstream," CompComm said.
According to one industry source who preferred not to be named, while the kinks of the deal with Imerys are worked out, it is "business as usual" for Andalusite Resources, which supplies andalusite to Vesuvius, one of the largest refractory producers in the world, among others.
