Reuters reported that Aurubis AG, Europe's largest copper producer will continue to consider acquisitions of copper smelters or product makers.

Mr Peter Willbrandt CEO of Aurubis AG said that "We remain open to the possibility of pushing forward external growth. We are in a strong financial position. But anything we do must fit well to us we will take no risky steps."

He said that the first priority remains the integration of the group's last takeover its purchase of the rolled products business of international copper group Luvata in April 2011 at a cost of over EUR 200 million. There is no rush. We have a good business model and good opportunities for organic growth. Aurubis is not the sort of company which needs to make acquisitions to continue growth.

Mr Willbrandt said that under his leadership, Aurubis' strategy will remain focused on expanding its existing copper production and copper processing and product activities. Aurubis is not interested in taking over a copper mine. We will remain in our core expertise area.

He said that copper smelters were at the greatest advantage when close to their raw materials and copper products firms were best close to their markets. Europe remains the group's main market. But the emerging economies such as in Asia are also rapidly expanding copper products markets.

(Sourced from Reuters)