Supply of equipment and services to mining and mineral processing industries.Outotec's strong market position and technology leadership are based on the knowledge and experience derived from the operations of two major mining and metals companies: on the know-how based on the company's historic position as a part of the Outokumpu Group, particularly during the period when mining and metallurgy formed a key part of the operations of the Outokumpu Group and it spent substantial resources on creating related technologies, as well as on the know-how of former Lurgi Metallurgie GmbH, originating from Metallgesellschaft AG.Outokumpu's history dates back to 1910 when a substantial copper ore deposit was found in Eastern Finland and the company was founded to commence mining and metallurgical operations in the area. Finland's rapid industrialization supported the company's strategy of developing sophisticated processing and production methods, and already in 1935 Outokumpu constructed what was then the largest electric copper smelter in the world.In the late 1940s, Outokumpu's scientists and engineers developed a new process of extracting metal from its ore, called flash smelting. The success of flash smelting, which later was licensed to other metallurgical companies, eventually led to the formation of a technology division within Outokumpu.To aid in the development of further innovations, the company relied on its metallurgical research center, established in Pori, Finland, in 1949. In order to promote technology trading, a sales department for licensing and know-how was established in the head office of the company. During Outokumpu's fast expansion into mining and processing of different metals, it established a separate metallurgical design office.This organization implemented, or participated in implementation of, most of Outokumpu's own industrial investment projects as well as worked together with the technology sales organization when selling and supplying flash smelting and other process plants and equipment to international customers. At the end of the 1960s, the offering of the sale department covered all Outokumpu's production processes for copper, zinc, nickel and ferrochrome.The global breakthroughs of flash smelting, flotation and automation technologies led to the establishment of overseas sales offices in Canada, the United States, Mexico and Brazil in the 1970s and in Peru and Chile in the 1980s. Outokumpu Technologys growth and internationalization continued with acquisitions and establishment of further sales offices and competence centers until today. Outokumpu Technology expanded its scope of technologies and product range through the acquisitions of Canadian based Aisco Systems Inc. (aluminum technology), Australian based Supaflo, Ltd. (thickeners), Chilean based Indepro S.A. (engineering),  U.S. based Carpco, Inc. and Inprosys, Inc. (physical separation), German based KHD Aluminium Technology GmbH (aluminum technology) and Lurgi Metallurgie GmbH (ferrous metals, alumina, sulfuric acid, off-gas and roasting technologies), Norwegian based Nordberg Mills (grinding mills), and Swedish based Boliden Contech AB (gas handling and precious metals processing). In addition, Outokumpu Technology acquired around the turn of the millennium two filter companies, German based Eberhard Hoesch & Söhne GmbH and Royal Pannevis BV based in the Netherlands, to complement its ceramic filter product line. The company sold its filter business (Ceramec, Hoesch and Pannevis) to Larox Oyj in 2004.The acquisition of Lurgi Metallurgie GmbH in 2001 had a major impact on Outotec's portfolio complementing it with technologies for iron processing, alumina calcining, roasting of sulfidic ores and sulfuric acid production technologies. Original parent company of Lurgi Metallurgie, Metallurgische Gesellschaft AG, was founded in 1897 and its activities included mining, recovery and processing of metals. Lurgi Gesellschaft für Chemie und Hüttenwesen GmbH was established in 1920 and this company developed over the years into Lurgi Metallurgie GmbH. Based on its historical background, Lurgi Metallurgie has developed a full range of plant engineering and contracting businesses over the course of time. This expertise was combined with Outokumpu Technology as a result of the acquisition of Lurgi Metallurgie.Outokumpu Technology was organized as a legal consolidated group in 2006. In October 2006 the company was listed as an independent company on the Helsinki Stock Exchange. According to the agreement made with the former parent company Outokumpu Oyj, Outokumpu Technology changed its name to Outotec in April 2007.