The two sides will also enter into a long-term, win-win APT and tungsten oxide offtake agreement. As a part of the agreement, Masan is expected to retain its ownership in Nyobolt, a fast-charging Lithium-ion battery technology company based in the UK. Masan is also expected to retain potential monetary upside from future commercialisation of black mass technology intellectual property developed by the HCS.

The MMC’s acquisition of HCS plays to its strengths in the midstream and downstream tungsten value chain. It will provide the group with access to HCS’s production hubs in Europe, North America, and China as well as a comprehensive tungsten scrap recycling platform backed by proprietary intellectual property including 90 worldwide patents and another 53 patents in the application phase.

Transaction proceeds will be used to reduce MHT’s outstanding debt balance, consistent with targets set by its parent company – the Vietnamese conglomerate Masan Group. Masan anticipates a one-time profit of around US$40 million from this deal and stands to benefit from a long-term increase in net after-tax profit of US$20-30 million.

The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, subject to internal approval decisions and regulatory clearance.