Germany's Thyssenkrupp Mining Technologies plans to deepen its cooperation with French process optimization solutions company Magotteaux on the development of wear parts using Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) technology.

The partnership for MMC, meaning composite material with at least two constituent parts, focuses on joint research and achieving shorter development times through market-focused research.

"By expanding our partnership with Magotteaux, we are able to offer new, innovative solutions for wear parts that help our customers improve their operational performance and reduce costs on wear parts through longer service lives, thus benefiting economically. We expect our customers to benefit from this partnership in a very tangible way within the next 12 months," said Georg Pahlenkemper, chief service officer thyssenkrupp Mining Technologies.

Sébastien Dossogne, chief executive officer Magotteaux, added "Magotteaux is proud to team up with a leading company like thyssenkrupp Mining Technologies and to be recognized as one of the best wear solutions manufacturers in the world. Our know how, our technologies and the dedication of our people allowed us to reach this goal. Our teams are focused on excellence and are excited to manufacture thyssenkrupp's latest wear parts."

Thyssenkrupp Mining Technologies added that its MMC offering was boosted through an exclusive license agreement with Polish MMC specialist Innerco.

Advances in MMC materials in recent years that have benefitted mining applications include thermal sprayed hardfacing coatings and steel metal matrix composites. Advanced abrasion-resistant materials can reduce scheduled downtime, as well as improve the economic competitiveness of the processes.

Thyssenkrupp Mining Technologies is the target of a €325M (US$369 millon) acquisition by Danish engineering technology company FLSmidth that is expected to complete this year.