Metso’s ‘We go beyond’ strategy signals aggressive push for market leadership and sustainability in mining

Metso unveils its ambitious ‘We go beyond’ strategy, aiming for global market dominance, technological innovation, and a net-zero future in the mining equipment sector by 2028.

In September 2025, Metso unveiled its updated corporate strategy, aptly titled ‘We go beyond.’, marking a significant step towards strengthening its position in the mining equipment and services sector. The announcement, articulated by Piia Karhu, President of Metso’s Minerals business ...

area, emphasised a multifaceted approach aimed at business growth, improved profitability, customer-centricity, market leadership, and a heightened aftermarket share.

Metso’s strategic framework rests on four primary objectives: delivering the best customer experience, increasing aftermarket sales proportion, leading in sustainability and safety, and achieving financial excellence. According to the company’s official release, the roadmap targets at least 7% annual sales growth, an adjusted EBITA margin exceeding 18%, and a net debt to EBITDA ratio below 1.5 by the end of 2028, alongside a commitment to net-zero CO₂ emissions in operational activities by 2030.

During a visit to Metso’s headquarters in Espoo, Finland, Karhu elaborated on how this strategy translates into practice. She underscored the firm’s focus on critical mineral markets—including copper and gold—that are energy-intensive to produce, highlighting Metso’s commitment to enhancing energy efficiency to help customers reduce their environmental footprint. This focus extends internally, influencing capital allocation decisions for research and development, and potential mergers and acquisitions.

Karhu also emphasised Metso’s ambition to be a top one or two player across all active segments, not merely by offering best-in-class solutions but through differentiated market approaches. While already recognised as a global leader in flotation and comminution technologies, Metso aims to bolster its geographic presence and capabilities in screening and pumps. This includes targeted investments and a more regionalised approach to better serve customers with aftermarket solutions, reflecting insights shared at Metso’s 2025 Capital Markets Day.

The company’s product innovation in comminution, particularly in energy-efficient grinding technologies such as the HRCe HPGR, HIGmill, and Vertimill, represents a key growth area. Karhu pointed to the successful capture of major high-pressure grinding roll (HPGR) orders this year as evidence of Metso’s collaborative engagement in flowsheet development, which is crucial in modern mining projects.

Value delivery remains central to Metso’s strategy. Karhu illustrated how early-stage involvement in projects enables Metso to propose alternatives that reduce costs and environmental impacts, such as the Concorde Cell flotation technology and new coarse particle flotation systems. The recent inauguration of Metso’s Separation laboratory in Pori epitomises the company’s commitment to leveraging world-leading test facilities for enhanced customer outcomes. Further value stems from Metso’s data-driven support through its global network of Performance Centers situated in Finland, Chile, Brazil, India, and China, which aid in optimising plant operations through sensor-based and predictive maintenance.

A segment-based strategy integrates Metso’s capital equipment portfolio with extensive aftermarket services. Addressing industry challenges like an ageing workforce and maintenance complexity, Metso’s solutions aim to streamline parts logistics, improve safety, and extend maintenance intervals—factors crucial to sustaining throughput and recovery amid volatile metal markets. These insights reflect broader industry trends emphasizing operational agility and digital transformation.

Speed and reliability in equipment delivery, particularly in sectors such as gold mining where timelines are critical, also feature prominently in customer concerns. Metso leverages its global fabrication facilities spanning China, Europe, and the United States to mitigate lead-time risks, underscoring the value of early project engagement to secure delivery schedules.

Beyond operational efficiency, customers are increasingly focused on total lifecycle costs and flexibility over a concentrator’s potentially multi-decade life. Metso’s long-term partnership approach involves ongoing support and adaptation to changing ore mineralogy or expansion opportunities, reinforcing the importance of data-driven digital solutions in plant optimisation over time.

Strategic ambitions are accompanied by operational adjustments. Metso is undertaking efficiency measures in its Minerals business area to enhance profitability, including organizational realignments with an expected annual cost saving of around EUR 13 million. These changes may result in up to 95 position reductions globally, notably impacting Finland. Earlier, a larger restructuring plan aimed to improve agility and competitiveness in response to market shifts related to strategic minerals essential for the energy transition, reflecting the company’s attendant need to align more closely with evolving customer demands.

In parallel with its strategic and operational evolution, Metso continues to secure significant orders, such as for South32’s critical minerals Hermosa project in Arizona, where it will supply advanced crushing, grinding, automation, and pump equipment designed for operational efficiency and environmental sustainability. Additionally, Metso has expanded its service capability in Mesa, Arizona, with a new repair shop and training facility to address skill shortages and deliver high-quality maintenance services.

Taken together, Metso’s ‘We go beyond.’ strategy reflects a holistic endeavour to consolidate leadership through customer intimacy, technological innovation, market expansion, and sustainability. By embracing digital transformation, lifecycle partnership, and organisational efficiency, Metso aims to not only adapt to but also shape the future mining landscape, driving value for both its customers and shareholders.

Source: Noah Wire Services