SMS Group Advances with Metso's Technology Acquisition
Deal News | Jun 05, 2025 | CEE Legal Matters
Freshfields has successfully advised SMS Group on the acquisition of the agglomeration and calcination technologies business from Metso, a Finnish technology giant. This carve-out transaction includes critical solutions such as sintering, pelletizing, and fluidized bed technologies, which were formerly a part of Metso. SMS Group, a renowned entity in metals plant engineering, is expected to benefit significantly from this acquisition. The legal advice was spearheaded by Freshfields' Vienna-based Counsel Gernot Fritz, alongside legal teams spread across Munich, Duesseldorf, and Hamburg. Freshfields, however, refrained from disclosing further details regarding the intricacies of the transaction.
Sectors
- Metals and Mining
- Technology
- Legal Services
Geography
- Germany – SMS Group is based in Germany and the Freshfields team involved in the transaction spans across the German cities of Munich, Duesseldorf, and Hamburg.
- Finland – Finland is home to Metso, the company from which SMS Group acquired the business unit.
- Austria – The Freshfields team included Vienna-based Counsel Gernot Fritz, indicating Austria's relevance.
Industry
- Metals and Mining – The industry involves companies that mine and process metals and minerals. SMS Group operates within this sector as a provider of technology and services for metals plant engineering.
- Technology – This sector involves companies providing technological solutions, products, and services. Metso, from which SMS Group acquired its technologies, operates within this industry.
- Legal Services – This sector comprises entities providing legal advisory services. Freshfields is a law firm that advised on the acquisition, highlighting its role in this industry.
Financials
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMS Group | Acquirer | Company | A technology and services provider in metals plant engineering that acquired Metso's technologies. |
| Metso | Vendor | Company | A Finnish technology company that divested its agglomeration and calcination technologies business to SMS Group. |
| Freshfields | Legal Advisor | Company | An international law firm that advised SMS Group on the acquisition. |
| Gernot Fritz | Counsel | Person | A Vienna-based Counsel at Freshfields who spearheaded the legal team advising SMS Group. |