What LKAB Minerals does

LKAB Minerals is a wholly-owned subsidiary of LKAB Group, the Swedish state-owned enterprise that mines approximately 80% of all iron ore in the EU. Founded in 1989 within a group whose industrial heritage dates to 1890, the company develops and supplies raw and processed industrial minerals to construction, manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and environmental customers across 12 countries. It operates its own magnetite mines at Kiruna and Malmberget in northern Sweden, with integrated rail transport to company-operated port facilities at Luleå, Sweden and Narvik, Norway, supplying more than 30 raw and processed minerals across six product categories: calcium carbonates and fillers, cement and binder solutions, functional fillers and additives, iron-based and high-density minerals, thermal and refractory minerals, and specialty metals and critical minerals.

The company's technology stack centres on industrial minerals processing — crushing, grinding, screening, classification, calcination, and micronisation — applied to a proprietary brand portfolio including MagnaDense (high-density aggregate for ballast, offshore stability, and radiation shielding), Gypsol (self-levelling liquid screed), GGBS (low-carbon cement replacement with 10x lower embodied CO2 than CEM1), MagniF and MagnaChem (high-purity magnetite functional fillers and water treatment feedstocks), MicaFort (engineered phlogopite and muscovite mica), UltraCarb (halogen-free flame retardant), and FireCarb (expandable graphite fireproof additive). Manufacturing and processing sites include Flixborough, Gurney Slade, and Scunthorpe in the UK alongside Swedish mining operations.

Revenue is generated through direct sales by technical specialists in 12 countries, supplemented by distributors and bagged-format channels reaching mid-market buyers; products are sold in bulk, 25kg sacks, 1000kg bulk bags, and tanker formats with pricing set via direct consultation rather than public list pricing. The company employs 251-500 people, maintains multiple third-party certifications (RMAP, EPDs, BS EN 15167-1, ISO 787-9), and pursues strategic partnerships such as the 2026 agreement with Hyperion Robotics to host 3D-printed concrete foundation manufacturing on the Flixborough site.

Name

LKAB Minerals

Legal name

LKAB Minerals

Website

https://lkabminerals.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1890

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

LKAB Minerals, a subsidiary of Swedish state-owned LKAB Group, supplies more than 30 raw and processed industrial minerals — including magnetite, mica, GGBS, and calcium carbonates — to construction, manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, and agriculture customers across 12 countries, leveraging own-mine sourcing and integrated rail-port logistics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Minerals

NAICS

Ground or Treated Mineral and Earth Manufacturing (327992), Sand, Gravel, Clay, and Ceramic and Refractory Minerals Mining and Quarrying (21232), Other Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying (21239), Lime and Gypsum Product Manufacturing (3274), Other Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing (3279)

SIC

Mining & Quarrying Of Nonmetallic Minerals (No Fuels) (1400), Abrasive, Asbestos & Misc Nonmetallic Mineral Prods (3290), Wholesale-Metals & Minerals (No Petroleum) (5050), Concrete, Gypsum & Plaster Products (3270)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Minerals Trading (Phosphate, Potash, Sulfur, Borates, Barite, Talc) (IMAKAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Magnesite & Magnesium Minerals (IMAEAFAL), Bentonite & Other Smectite Clays (IMAEAFAE), Natural Graphite Mining & Concentrates (IMAKAFAD), Concrete, Cement & Aggregates Retail (Bagged Mix, Sand, Gravel) (CRAIAEAG)

Keywords

• Industrial minerals
• Mineral processing
• High-density aggregates
• Functional fillers
• Construction materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Luleå

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Industrial Minerals Sales: LKAB Minerals generates revenue through the sale of raw and processed industrial minerals including calcium carbonates, cement solutions, functional fillers, iron-based minerals, thermal/refractory minerals, and specialty metals. Products are sold in various forms including bulk, 25kg sacks, 1000kg bulk bags, and tankers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

LKAB Minerals mines, processes, and supplies more than 30 raw and processed industrial minerals sold under proprietary brands including MagnaDense (high-density aggregate), Gypsol (self-levelling screed), MicaFort (engineered mica), MagniF (magnetite filler), MagnaChem (water treatment magnetite), Calcifert (agricultural calcium), GGBS (low-carbon cement substitute), UltraCarb (flame retardant), FireCarb (intumescent additive), Bentonite, Olivine, ATH, MinSand, DekorFlake, Chalk, Marble, and Limestone. Products are manufactured at own mines in northern Sweden and processing facilities in the UK and Europe, and are delivered globally in bulk, bagged, or tanker formats to construction, manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and water treatment customers.

Product overview

LKAB Minerals operates as an industrial mineral supplier offering over 30 raw and processed minerals across six main product categories: calcium carbonates and fillers (Chalk, Limestone, Marble), cement and binder solutions (Gypsol, GGBS), functional fillers and additives (MicaFort, UltraCarb, ATH, FireCarb), iron-based and high-density minerals (MagnaDense, MagniF, Magnetite, MagnaChem), thermal and refractory minerals (Olivine, MinSand, Bentonite), and specialty metals and critical minerals. The portfolio includes flagship brands like MagnaDense for high-density construction applications, Gypsol for screed solutions, MicaFort for phlogopite and muscovite mica reinforcement, and MagniF for functional magnetite fillers. Products serve diverse applications across construction, agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and environmental sectors, with global reach across 12 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MagnaDense: High-density aggregate for civil engineering, offshore projects, ballast, counterweights, and radiation shielding.
• Calcifert
• Gypsol
• UltraCarb
• MicaFort
• MagniF
• MagnaChem
• DekorFlake
• FireCarb
• GGBS
• MinSand

Products and services

• MagnaDense High-density iron-based aggregate for civil engineering, offshore construction, radiation shielding, ballast, and counterweights, providing weight optimization and stability in demanding construction environments.
• Calcifert Calcium-based agricultural mineral for soil pH buffering, calcium nutrient delivery, soil structure support, and crop health/resistance, enhancing agricultural productivity.
• Gypsol Self-levelling liquid screed for modern construction floors, offering fast installation, smooth finishes, low carbon footprint, and compatibility with underfloor heating.
• UltraCarb Halogen-free flame retardant combining hydromagnesite and huntite minerals for fire-resistant coatings, plastics, cables, and construction materials with smoke suppression properties.
• Phlogopite MicaFort Engineered phlogopite mica providing thermal stability above 900°C, barrier formation, dielectric strength, and mechanical reinforcement for construction, coatings, polymers, and fire protection applications.
• MagniF Fine dried magnetite powder and functional filler for polymers and coatings with density of 5.2 g/cm³, ferrimagnetic properties, thermal conductivity, and sound damping capability.
• Bentonite Calcium and sodium bentonite minerals for waterproofing, foundry moulding sands, drilling muds, iron ore pelletising, and agricultural applications.
• MicaFort Natural mica mineral (phlogopite and muscovite) providing flexibility, thermal stability, dielectric strength, and corrosion resistance for construction, plastics, and coatings applications; conforms to ISO 787-9 standard for pigments and extenders.
• Magnetite High-purity natural iron oxide for energy storage, heavy media separation, foundry applications, and industrial chemical processing, sourced from LKAB's Swedish operations.
• MagnaChem High-purity magnetite powder (71.5% Fe content) for water treatment chemical production, including ferric chloride and ferric sulphate coagulants.
• GGBS (Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag) Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag for low-carbon concrete, offering improved durability and reduced embodied CO2 in infrastructure projects; can replace up to 70% cement in concrete mixes with 10x less embodied CO2 than CEM1.
• Olivine High-melting-point mineral for foundry moulding sands, steelmaking slag conditioning, refractory materials, and horticultural applications.
• Aluminium Trihydrate (ATH) Flame-retardant mineral filler for polymers, rubber, coatings, and construction materials, providing fire resistance through water release at high temperatures.
• FireCarb Expandable graphite fireproof mineral additive for intumescent fire stopping, providing thermal barriers and swelling capabilities up to 1000°C.
• MinSand Spherical ceramic bauxite sand produced by electric arc furnace melting for precision foundry moulding with low thermal expansion and excellent flow properties.
• DekorFlake Decorative mica flakes in gold, silver, bronze, and black for decorative concrete, resin flooring, and aesthetic coating applications.
• Chalk Fine calcium carbonate filler for paints, coatings, rubber, plastics, sealants, and adhesives, providing opacity, brightness, and improved consistency.
• Marble High-brightness marble filler from 100% recycled Carrara marble offcuts for plastics, paints, coatings, sealants, adhesives, food, and pharmaceutical applications.
• Limestone Processed calcium carbonate for cement production, construction, agriculture, and animal feed applications.
• MicaCal Specialized calcined mica grade for welding rod flux coatings providing low moisture and low hydrogen properties.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% reduction in concrete use and 65% lower embodied carbon demonstrated in trials with National Grid for 3D printed foundation units
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Hyperion RoboticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnish concrete 3D printing specialist Hyperion Robotics has signed an agreement with LKAB Minerals to establish its first UK manufacturing facility, Forge I, on LKAB's industrial site in Flixborough, North Lincolnshire, scheduled to open before summer 2026. The factory will produce pre-cast concrete foundation units using robotic and automated manufacturing systems, targeting infrastructure clients across energy, water, data centre, and utilities sectors. Initial production capacity exceeds 50 foundation units per week.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Imerys: Global leader in industrial minerals with overlapping portfolios in calcium carbonates, functional fillers, and refractory minerals serving construction, manufacturing, and energy customers. Most direct competitor to LKAB Minerals' diversified mineral platform and brand-led specification model.
• Omya: World's largest producer of calcium carbonates (chalk, marble, limestone fillers) with deep presence in paints, coatings, plastics, paper, and construction — directly overlapping LKAB Minerals' calcium carbonates & fillers segment and Gypsol/Andercite screed businesses.
• Sibelco: Belgian-headquartered global industrial minerals group operating across fillers, foundry/refractory minerals, and high-purity specialty minerals. Competes directly with LKAB Minerals' thermal/refractory and functional filler categories serving foundry, construction, and industrial customers.
• Minerals Technologies Inc. Specialty minerals producer with direct overlap in precipitated calcium carbonates, bentonite, and talc-based functional fillers serving paper, construction, and industrial applications. Mirror competitor across several of LKAB Minerals' specialty mineral lines.
• Huber Engineered Materials: Specialty minerals and additives manufacturer including ATH (aluminium trihydrate) flame retardants, calcium carbonates, and functional fillers — directly competing with LKAB Minerals' UltraCarb, ATH, FireCarb, and filler product lines in polymers and coatings end-markets.
• Washington Mills: Producer of fused minerals and specialty ceramic grains (including MinSand-class products) serving foundry, refractory, and abrasives markets. Directly comparable to LKAB Minerals' MinSand foundry product line and refractory grains portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Elementis: Specialty chemicals company with mineral-based performance additives serving personal care, coatings, and industrial markets. Overlaps with LKAB Minerals on functional fillers/coatings side, though Elementis is broader (specialty chemicals + minerals) rather than mineral-pure.

Emerging players

• Cimbar Performance Minerals: US-headquartered producer of functional mineral fillers (calcium carbonate, barytes, talc) for industrial markets — competes with LKAB Minerals' filler and coating additive lines in North American markets where LKAB Minerals is still building direct footprint.
• Thiele Kaolin Company: Kaolin and industrial clay miner serving paper, coatings, and specialty applications. Comparable adjacency to LKAB Minerals' broader industrial clay (bentonite, marble, calcium carbonate) processing and functional filler activities, though focused on kaolin specifically.

Regional players

• Bentonite Performance Minerals: US-focused bentonite producer serving foundry, drilling, and environmental markets. Comparable to LKAB Minerals' bentonite portfolio, but operates regionally in North America with less overlap into LKAB's European and global accounts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UChA5HK6h32yfqxfc03wKghQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lkabminerals
• Xx.com/LKABgroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/lkabminerals

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LKAB Minerals