Clifford Chance has advised Magnesita Refratários S.A. ("Magnesita") on the sale of its magnesia carbon bricks production unit in Oberhausen, Germany, to Intocast AG. The sale is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to complete for the fourth quarter of 2017 and is being implemented in response to conditions by the EU Commission in relation to the acquisition of Magnesita by RHI.

Magnesita is one of the global leaders in providing refractory solutions, services and industrial minerals. It is headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil, and listed on the Novo Mercado of the Brazilian stock exchange (BM&FBovespa). Refractories are materials resistant to high temperatures, corrosion, abrasion and chemical reaction during the containment of hot and molten substances and gases. They are essential for various industrial applications, including the manufacture of steel, cement and non-ferrous metals.

Intocast, headquartered in Ratingen, Germany, develops, produces and supplies minerals, refractories and casting auxiliaries.

The Clifford Chance team was led by partner Dr. Jörg Rhiel and comprised associate Schirin Drewell, senior associate Susanne Werry (all Corporate, Frankfurt), partner Jenine Hulsman and associate Jennifer Storey (both Antitrust), partner Dr. Stefan Simon and senior associate Dr. Christopher Fischer (both Employment Law, Frankfurt), partner Thomas Reischauer and senior associate Amrei Fuder (both Real Estate, Frankfurt), partner Olaf Mertgen (Frankfurt) and counsel Cord Freiherr von Mandelsloh (Düsseldorf, both Tax) as well as partner Dr. Claudia Milbradt and senior associate Anja Schwarz (both IP, Düsseldorf).

A Clifford Chance team led by partner Graham Phillips (Corporate, London) advised Magnesita's controlling shareholders GP Investments and Rhône Capital as to English law and antitrust matters in connection with the combination of RHI and Magnesita.