Imerys
Encyclopedia
Imerys is a French
multinational company. It is a constituent of the CAC Mid 60 index.
In 1999 Imetal took over English China Clays plc
, the Cornwall
-based producer of kaolin, and then changed its name to Imerys.
In 2005, Imerys acquired from Alleghany Corp.
the U.S. company World Minerals Inc., a leading producer of diatomaceous earth
and perlite
.
and distribution of industrial minerals and is one of the world's leading producers of:
proposed for construction in England. Planned for the site of former china clay mines in Cornwall
, the project has the provisional title Imerys China Clay Community
.
, it employs 16,000 people of whom 4,000 are based in France.
The company's North American Operations are headquartered in Roswell, GA USA.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
multinational company. It is a constituent of the CAC Mid 60 index.
History
The Company was founded in 1880 and for many years was known as Imetal.In 1999 Imetal took over English China Clays plc
English China Clays plc
English China Clays plc or ECC was a mining company involved in the extraction of china clay, based in St Austell, Cornwall. It was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index but in 1999 was acquired by Imetal.-History:...
, the Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
-based producer of kaolin, and then changed its name to Imerys.
In 2005, Imerys acquired from Alleghany Corp.
Alleghany Corp.
Alleghany Corporation is an investment holding company originally created by the railroad entrepreneurs Oris and Mantis Van Sweringen as a holding company for their railroad interests...
the U.S. company World Minerals Inc., a leading producer of diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth also known as diatomite or kieselgur/kieselguhr, is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. It has a particle size ranging from less than 1 micrometre to more than 1 millimetre, but typically 10 to...
and perlite
Perlite
Perlite is an amorphous volcanic glass that has a relatively high water content, typically formed by the hydration of obsidian. It occurs naturally and has the unusual property of greatly expanding when heated sufficiently...
.
Operations
The company specialises in the miningMining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
and distribution of industrial minerals and is one of the world's leading producers of:
- Kaolin for paper making and ceramics;
- Diatomaceous earthDiatomaceous earthDiatomaceous earth also known as diatomite or kieselgur/kieselguhr, is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. It has a particle size ranging from less than 1 micrometre to more than 1 millimetre, but typically 10 to...
for abrasives and beer filtration; - GraphiteGraphiteThe mineral graphite is one of the allotropes of carbon. It was named by Abraham Gottlob Werner in 1789 from the Ancient Greek γράφω , "to draw/write", for its use in pencils, where it is commonly called lead . Unlike diamond , graphite is an electrical conductor, a semimetal...
for batteries; - Calcium carbonateCalcium carbonateCalcium carbonate is a chemical compound with the formula CaCO3. It is a common substance found in rocks in all parts of the world, and is the main component of shells of marine organisms, snails, coal balls, pearls, and eggshells. Calcium carbonate is the active ingredient in agricultural lime,...
for applications in construction, polymers, composites and cultured marble.
Eco-town
Amongst its other activities, Imerys is bidding to develop one of the ten eco-townsEco-towns (UK)
Eco-towns are a government-sponsored programme of new towns to be built in England, which are intended to achieve exemplary standards of sustainability.In 2007, the...
proposed for construction in England. Planned for the site of former china clay mines in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, the project has the provisional title Imerys China Clay Community
Imerys, Cornwall
The St Austell and Clay Country Eco-town is a plan to build a new town on a cluster of sites owned by mining company Imerys near St Austell, in Cornwall. The plan was given outline outline government approval in July 2009. The plan would need to gain full planning permission before construction...
.
Locations
Headquartered in ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, it employs 16,000 people of whom 4,000 are based in France.
The company's North American Operations are headquartered in Roswell, GA USA.