Opta Group Increases Production Capacity in Latin America
Tecnosulfur completes expansion and modernization of synthetic slag sintering plant in Brazil.
Amherst, New York – Opta Group LP, a portfolio company of Speyside Equity Advisors (“Speyside”), and a global provider of custom-engineered solutions for the metallurgical, construction, and specialty chemical industries, today announced the successful completion of a major expansion project at its Tecnosulfur facility in Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
This milestone marks a significant advancement in Opta Group’s commitment to meeting the growing demand of the Latin American steel industry. The inauguration ceremony was held on May 22 and attended by Opta Group executives including Chief Executive Officer Rob McKeracher, Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Yoshihara, Chief Operations Officer Mike Ball, and Claudio Melo, President of Molten Solutions Latin America. They were joined by Tecnosulfur employees, project partners, and representatives of local institutions supported by Opta Group through its social responsibility initiatives in the region.
The expansion brings a 27% increase in production capacity, enabling Tecnosulfur to operate with enhanced efficiency, improved raw material utilization, and reduced operational losses. Key upgrades also included significant enhancements to internal logistics, boosting the facility’s overall performance and responsiveness.
“We are prepared to ensure greater logistical agility, supply continuity, and maintain the technical quality standard that is a benchmark in the sector.” — Mike Ball
Importantly, this project reflects Opta Group’s continued investment in environmental stewardship. The modernization included state-of-the-art technologies aimed at reducing particulate emissions and minimizing noise levels, reinforcing the company’s respect and responsibility toward the city of Sete Lagoas and its residents.
“This expansion is not just about increasing capacity—it reflects our commitment to responsible innovation and sustainable development.” — Rob McKeracher
This initiative represents the fourth major investment by Opta Group in Latin America over the past four years, underlining the company’s confidence in the region, its workforce, and the strength of its integrated solutions for the steel sector.
The project is also a key part of Opta Group’s broader growth strategy, which combines organic expansion and strategic M&A activity to solidify its leadership across the Latin American market. The second phase of this project is already underway, with expectations of delivering an additional 30% increase in capacity, further reinforcing Tecnosulfur’s position as a leader in sustainable, high-performance metallurgical solutions.
About Opta Group
Opta Group LP, a Speyside Equity portfolio company, is a global provider of custom-engineered solutions serving the metallurgical, construction, and specialty chemical industries. The company’s broad range of brands includes OPTA, Tecnosulfur, Affival, Affimex, SKW, OPTA Glass, Carbide Industries and Quab Chemicals. Through deep expertise in blending, formulation, and process optimization Opta Group delivers measurable value to customers worldwide.
Headquartered in Burlington, Ontario, with regional offices in the United States and France, Opta Group employs more than 900 people across 12 countries in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. To learn more visit .
About Speyside Equity Advisers
Speyside is an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based private equity firm focused on investing in middle-market buyout transactions in the manufacturing and value-added distribution sectors. Targeted portfolio companies often possess balance sheet, legal, environmental, labor, or transactional complexity.
Speyside Equity focuses on creative transaction structures and is comfortable investing in carve-outs of large multinational companies, industry consolidations, family-owned businesses, bankruptcies and work-outs, and other special situations. Speyside takes an operational approach to creating value in those circumstances. Speyside has completed 30 investments.
For more information, please visit .
Global CEO Rob McKeracher delivers remarks at the Tecnosulfur facility marking the expansion of the site in Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
