Kerr-McGee announced the completion of the acquisition of Kemira Oyj’s titanium dioxide (TiO₂) pigment operations in Savannah, GA.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Kerr-McGee Corp. announced the completion of the acquisition of Kemira Oyj’s titanium dioxide (TiO₂) pigment operations in Savannah, GA. Completion of the acquisition of Kemira’s TiO₂ production facilities in Botlek, The Netherlands, is awaiting regulatory approval, Kerr-McGee said.

After completion of both acquisitions, Kerr-McGee said it will rank as the world’s third-largest TiO₂ supplier, with approximately 600,000 metric tons per year, or 16% of the global market. The acquisitions also will give Kerr-McGee TiO₂ production in the three major world markets of North America, Europe and Southeast Asia.

“These two acquisitions are part of our long-term strategy to grow this core business,” said Kerr-McGee Chairman and CEO Luke R. Corbett. He said the company anticipates making significant cost reductions in its TiO₂ operations over the next two years.

Kerr-McGee also announced the appointment of Richard R. Dean as manager of the Savannah plant. Dean had been general manager of Kerr-McGee’s 50% owned Tiwest pigment operations in Kwinana, Western Australia.