ANNUAL REPORT

8
hIghlIghts 2006
reFInIng dIvIsIon
contInued success
The Refining Division enjoyed yet
another year of great success.
Benefiting from the strong precious
metal market, larger geographical
coverage and a wider range of
customers, Metalor’s three refineries
have received record volumes of scrap
for refining. A campaign on technical
and logistical improvements, and the
installation of new refining processes
have contributed to the reduction of
metal throughput time.
Successful restructuring in the USA
refinery allowed it to take full benefit
from the good market while keeping
costs under control. Refineries in
Switzerland and in Hong Kong
continued their strong performance.
Metalor started a refining circuit in
Suzhou and successfully refined its first
batch of gold just before the end of
the year.
advanced coatIngs dIvIsIon
Further develoPments In the
Far east
In 2006, the Advanced Coatings
Division continued to follow the
evolution in the markets. It pursued its
consolidation within Europe and the
USA and also the development of its
activities in the Far East.
Production in Europe has been
consolidated in Marin after shutting
down of activities in Rome and
Noisy. On the other side, production
capabilities of our Suzhou plant have
been expanded to gold products and
proprietaries.
R&D plating activities have been
consolidated in Singapore, and
business relations with key customers
and partners have strengthened.