2011 Registration Document - Imerys

1 Performance
PRESENTATION OF THE GROUP
& Filtration Minerals
1.5 PERFORMANCE & FILTRATION MINERALS
The Performance & Filtration Minerals business group comprises
two main businesses, which are presented below :
p Performance Minerals;
p Minerals for Filtration.
The global Performance & Filtration Minerals business group provides
customers with tailor-made solutions in technical fields where
chemical composition, morphology, mechanical properties, thermal
and chemical resistance, as well as food and pharmaceutical grade
processing are key requirements. Based on the transformation of
a large range of extensive, high quality mineral reserves (kaolins,
talc, carbonates, mica, diatomite, perlite and vermiculite), as well
as expertise in all the techniques needed for processing, it offers a
wide variety of products. The development of strong relationships
with customers is essential for value-added niches.
On August 1, 2011, Imerys completed the acquisition of 100% of the
Luzenac Group from Rio Tinto. With yearly sales of approximately
US$400 million, Luzenac Group is the world leader in talc processing.
This mineral is used in many technical applications such as polymers,
paints, ceramics and paper, in a wide range of end markets (industrial
equipment, construction and consumer goods etc.). It will therefore
strengthen the business group leadership and product offering.
Thanks to the often complementary properties of minerals from both
activities, the business group is well poised to serve its common
customers. Collaboration and resource-sharing take place across
these activities on a case-by-case basis, leveraging synergies to
deliver unique product offerings to the following final markets:
p Construction: home or commercial buildings use materials such
as decorative or insulating paints, fencing, electrical cables made
of plastic, rubber carpet backings, adhesives, sealants whereas
infrastructure construction need road paint s, etc.;
2011 sales: €720 million
63%
37%
Performance Minerals Minerals for Filtration
26 2011 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT IMERYS
p Consumer goods: food & beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceutical
& nutraceuticals, personal care products such as toothpaste,
soap, household appliances, etc.;
p Automotive: plastic parts such as car bumpers, dashboards,
under the hood parts, interior and exterior trims, etc.;
p Industrial products: high technical plastics, painting for large
equipment or spare parts , etc.
Performance & Filtration business group growth is based on 3 levers:
p growth in emerging countries, with selective development in Brazil
and India, where the business group opened an office in 2011,
as well as in other fast growing countries;
p continuous improvement of operational efficiency;
p enlargement of product offering by leveraging on innovation to
develop new applications. The two activities of the business group
can rely on their R&D network, which has been strengthened by
an additional R&D Center in Toulouse (France) and four regional
laboratories in the United States: Lompoc (California), Marietta
(Georgia), Denver (Colorado) and San Jose (California), following
the acquisition of Luzenac Group.
The business group has been affected by the downturn of its
underlying markets, accelerated, in 2009, by the decrease of
inventories in value chains downstream. In 2010, markets recovered
at various speeds, with a subsequent rebuilding of inventories and
held well in 2011. Performance & Filtration Minerals’ sales for the year
ending December 31, 2011 total ed € 719.7 million, which represents
19% of Imerys’ consolidated sales.
The business group has 64 industrial sites in 20 countries.
3,809 employees as of December 31, 2011
60%
40%
Performance Minerals Minerals for Filtration
From January 1, 2012, following Luzenac Group integration , talc sales for C eramics and P aper & Packaging markets will be accounted for in
the corresponding business groups.