GLOBAL resources-focused technology company Outotec is looking to cash in on a Curtin University invention following its acquisition of Perth-based Scanalyse.
The two companies this week announced Outotec’s intention to buy Scanalyse for an undisclosed sum, with a plan to further expand the Perth company’s worldwide contracts.
Scanalyse was formed in 2005 on the back of technology developed at Curtin University.
The company’s first commercial offering was the MillMapper product, which uses laser technology with an integrated software suite to measure liner thickness, weight and condition of mill surfaces.
The second product uses similar technology to forecast wear rates for components within crushers.
Scanalyse has made significant inroads into the resources sector across Australia, North and South America and was on the verge of a targeted expansion into Africa.
Key contracts have included work for iron ore giant Vale in Brazil, Chilean miner Minera Esperanza, and Alcoa for scanning its Pinjarra mills.
African expansion was the next logical step for Scanalyse and it had already been working with Perseus Mining on its Edikan gold mine in Ghana and African Rainbow Minerals in South Africa.
The acquisition marks Finnish company Outotec’s second uptake of a Western Australian company after it bought mining services company TME group last July.
Outotec said Scanalyse presented an attractive opportunity for the processing technology company to expand its services.
Chief executive Pertti Korhonen said Scanalyse was an innovative and young company, and its technology would be a valuable addition to Outotec.
“By combining the expertise of Scanalyse and Outotec we can offer new value-added services to our common customer base,” Mr Korhonen said in a statement.
“There are good opportunities to multiply the business volume of grinding mill and crusher monitoring services and to further develop applications for other process equipment.”
Mr Korhonen said expanding the technology could include new applications for work on equipment such as refractory lined vessels.
Outotec’s interest in Scanalyse has been heralded as an indication of Curtin University’s successful research; Rohan McDougall, director of Curtin’s Office of IP Commercialisation and a Scanalyse board member, said it was another example of a WA innovation making a global impact.
