Anglo-Dutch steel group CORUS has sold its 23.2% stake in AVESTAPOLARIT (turnover of EUR 2.9 bn in 2001) to Finland's OUTOKUMPU for £343 million. AVESTAPOLARIT is Corus' joint venture with OUTOKUMPU, in which the latter company already held a 52.4% stake. OUTOKUMPU is planning to launch an IPO for the remainder of the capital. CORUS is planning to sell off its Dutch aluminium business. France's PECHINEY has expressed interest.