Valmet Automotive Plc completes financing solution including changes in its ownership structure, sale of all shares in IONCOR Ltd by Valmet Automotive and refinancing of Valmet Automotive

Aventum advised Valmet Automotive Plc (“Valmet Automotive”) in the financing solution that includes changes in Valmet Automotive’s ownership structure, sale of all shares in IONCOR Ltd (“IONCOR”) by Valmet Automotive and refinancing of Valmet Automotive. The financing solution enables Valmet Automotive’s strategic expansion in contract manufacturing beyond the automotive industry.  

In 2024, Valmet Automotive initiated a strategic review for increasing the independence of its business areas and expanding the contract manufacturing business to new industries. Now Valmet Automotive has decided to divest all shares in IONCOR, the former subsidiary focusing on battery systems, to Finnish Minerals Group, a fully state-owned company developing the battery value chain, and its co-investors Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company and Pontos Oy.  

After the sale of IONCOR, Valmet Automotive will focus on development of its vehicle contract manufacturing (VCM) and roof and kinematic systems (RKS) businesses. Valmet Automotive is one of the leading vehicle contract manufacturers in the world, and one of the largest European manufacturers of convertible roof and kinematic systems, including electric vehicle charging flaps and active spoilers. The VCM operations are located in Finland and the RKS operations are located in Poland and Germany.  

The financing solution is an important step in Valmet Automotive’s strategic change in leveraging its expertise in industrial serial production to new industries, for example, the defense sector. As part of the financing solution, the Chinese CATL sells all its shares in Valmet Automotive. The Finnish State will become Valmet Automotive’s majority owner with 79% of shares, and Pontos Group will continue as a minority owner with 21% of shares after the transactions.