Outotec has taken a strategic decision to divest three of its businesses in the Metals, Energy & Water segment’s portfolio as it focuses on its core technologies in minerals processing and metals refining.

These businesses relate to aluminium, waste-to-energy and sludge incineration, the company said.

This news comes as Metso is going through the process of gaining approval for the acquisition of Outotec, a deal that will create a mineral processing giant.

Outotec said the aluminium business to be divested includes the green anode plant, rod shop (an example, pictured) and certain cast-house technologies as well as related service operations; while the waste-to-energy business to be divested comprises of biomass, wood waste and various other fuel plants including related service operations.

The last business – the sludge incineration segment – comprises delivery of plants for treatment of municipal and industrial sludge and related service operations.

In total, around 250 experts are working in these three businesses, which will be affected by these moves. In the company’s 2019 financial results, the businesses to be divested will be classified as discontinued operations, Outoect said.

For the financial year 2019, the intended actions will lower the expected sales by around €50 million ($55.5 million) but increase the adjusted EBIT by some €40 million, the company said.

Outotec’s CEO, Markku Teräsvasara, said: “Pursuing these strategic actions will enable Outotec to better focus on its core technologies in minerals processing and metals refining. We, of course, remain committed to serving our energy and aluminium customers until these divestments have been completed.”