FE Mottram, a UK-based ferro-titanium producer and subsidiary of Belgian trading company Metraco, acquired Sheffield-based Metals & Alloys International (MAI). This acquisition significantly increases Mottram’s ferro-titanium market share.
Operational Continuity and Leadership Changes
MAI will operate as a Mottram subsidiary, maintaining its relationships with customers in the steel and cored-wire industries and its raw material suppliers. Both companies will continue ferro-titanium production and scrap processing at Tivac’s two Sheffield locations. Mottram director Olivier Esquenet now holds the controlling interest and directorship of MAI. Graham Mee, MAI’s former co-owner and co-director, remains a director, alongside Metraco group CFO Erwin Debaere.
Production Capacity and Market Challenges
The combined entity possesses a production capacity of 1,200 metric tons per month. However, current capacity utilization is slightly above 50% due to competition from rebranded Russian ferro-titanium and reduced demand from steel mills. Metraco also owns Ti Q, a ferro-titanium producer in Ahtme, Estonia.
Excluded Assets and Separate Entities
Mottram did not acquire MAI’s crushing facility, Alloy Masters, located in Telford. This facility remains under the ownership of Graham Mee and investor Richard Dajczak. Metals and Alloys UK, a separate company focused on scrap recycling, is unaffected by this acquisition. SuperMetalPrice will monitor how this acquisition impacts the ferro-titanium market.
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