OKLAHOMA CITY — Kerr-McGee Corp. announced the completion of the acquisition of Kemira Oyj’s titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment operations in Savannah, GA. Completion of the acquisition of Kemira’s TiO2production facilities in Botlek, The Netherlands, is awaiting regulatory approval, Kerr-McGee said.
After completion of both acquisitions, Kerr-McGee said it will rank as the world’s third-largest TiO2 supplier, with approximately 600,000 metric tons per year, or 16% of the global market. The acquisitions also will give Kerr-McGee TiO2 production in the three major world markets of North America, Europe and Southeast Asia.
“These two acquisitions are part of our long-term strategy to grow this core business,” said Kerr-McGee Chairman and CEO Luke R. Corbett. He said the company anticipates making significant cost reductions in its TiO2 operations over the next two years.
Kerr-McGee also announced the appointment of Richard R. Dean as manager of the Savannah plant. Dean had been general manager of Kerr-McGee’s 50% owned Tiwest pigment operations in Kwinana, Western Australia.
