Western Garnet Acquires German Firm

Western Garnet International Ltd. announced that it has acquired Kominex Mineral Mahlwerk GmbH. Based in Ermsleben, Germany, Kominex provides full-service operations to collect, recycle, and sell garnet and aluminum oxide.

"The acquisition of Kominex strengthens our operations in several ways, bringing us an important customer service with its recycling operations, a high-quality source of fine-grade garnet, a cost advantage in the European market, and strong management," said Lindsay Gorrill, CEO of Western Garnet. "Additionally, we gain a valuable waste disposal permit, enabling us to collect up to 11,000 metric tons of minerals annually."

While Kominex currently recycles 1,200 metric tons each of aluminum oxide and garnet, Western Garnet plans to reduce its dependence on aluminum oxide and increase production of garnet, ultimately to the 11,000 metric ton maximum under the waste disposal license.

"Given the environmental benefits of recycling, Kominex provides Western Garnet with an invaluable selling tool in the waterjet and abrasive blasting market," added Gorrill. "And by integrating Kominex's garnet recycling with Western Garnet's new garnet production capabilities, we expect to build our market share in Europe, which will be supported by the addition of production capacity from our Andhra Pradesh heavy mineral plant in India. "