23
July 2003
Umicore USA Inc. has acquired certain assets of EaglePicher Technologies' germanium products business line, based in Quapaw, Oklahoma, for approximately USD 15 million in cash. These assets relate to the production of germanium-based products primarily used in infra-red optics and fibre optics applications. The transaction does not involve any of EaglePicher's assets that are involved in the production of germanium substrates.
This acquisition fits into the global, worldwide growth strategy of Umicore's Advanced Materials business.
The newly acquired business (formerly EaglePicher Electro-Optic Materials) is to be known as Umicore Optical Materials USA Inc. It will be integrated into Umicore's Electro-Optic Materials business unit and will provide this business with a valuable, US-based production and sales platform.
For more information:
n.v.Umicore s.a.:
Press:
Mr Eddy CORNELIS - Tel. +32 2 227 70 64 – eddy.cornelis@umicore.com
PROFILE
Umicore is an international metals and materials group. Its activities are centred on four business areas: Advanced Materials, copper, Precious Metals and Zinc. Each business area is divided into market-focused business units.
Umicore focuses on application areas where it knows its expertise in materials science and metallurgy can make a real difference, be it in products that are essential to everyday life or those at the cutting edge of exciting, new technological developments. Umicore's overriding goal of sustainable value creation is based on this ambition to develop, produce and recycle metals in a way that fulfils its mission: materials for a better life.
The Umicore Group has industrial operations on all continents and serves a global customer base; it generated a turnover of EUR 3.2 billion in 2002 and currently employs some 9,000 people.