Dentons advised Rio Tinto in the sale of its subsidiary ECL, specializing in design and installation of equipment for primary aluminum production, to Fives, a French industrial engineering leader in the aluminum sector.

ECL, founded in 1947, is a key player  in the design and installation of equipment used in aluminum production. The quality and innovation if its products are increasingly popular. Today, over half of the currently operating aluminum smelters throughout the world (except China) use equipment provided by ECL.  In 2014 the company achieved sales of €130 M, with 600 employees throughout seven countries: France, Canada, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Australia, China and India.

Fives is a leader in the aluminum sector, working in three key factory procedures  (carbon, electrolysis and smelting) through Fives Solios, with 300 employees in eight countries and an average turnover of €150 M.

The complementary nature  of Fives’ and ECL’s expertise will make it possible for the new group to present a wide range of key technical equipment to its customers.

Sandrine Cahn, Chief Counsel France & Aluminum EMEA, and Benoit Palmer, Senior Corporate Counsel supervised the operation for Rio Tinto; the Fives legal team comprised of Chief counsel in Mergers & Acquisitions, and  M&A general Counsel Carole Sabbah.
The Dentons team was included Partner Olivier Genevois, Of Counsel Emmanuelle De Schepper, and Associates Tanit Gendre, Yola Traum and Hugo Casanovas for M&A ; Emmanuelle van den Broucke in competition law, and Julie Ragueneau for employment issues.

Fives was advised by Darrois Villey (Forrest Alogna, Partner; Orphée Grosjean, Associate).