Imerys in Japan

Imerys employs over 150 people in Japan, working at one processing facility, one technology centers and at our Tokyo office.
Our Japanese sales teams serve the markets of Japan and South East Asia with a full range of solutions and services based on our vast portfolio of minerals, including calcium carbonate, kaolin, talc, mica, wollastonite, diatomaceous earth, carbon black, graphite, andalusite, calcium aluminate, fused alumina, mullite, fused silica and zirconia.
Imerys in Japan

Performance minerals to enhance paints, plastics, rubber and more

We supply a broad array of talc, calcium carbonatekaolin, mica, wollastonite and diatomaceous earth (DE) solutions, sourced from Imerys sites in Europe, the US, Canada and Brazil, under well-known brand names such as Luzenac, Hydrite, Polestar, Suzorite, Nyad, Nyglos and Celite.

Our performance minerals business serves the plastics, rubber, paint, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and ceramics markets, among others.
 

Graphite and carbon for Lithium-ion batteries, energy storage, conductive polymers and other engineering applications 

Our Japanese Graphite & Carbon business began producing high-quality carbon black and synthetic graphite in the early 2000s. In 2017, we acquired Nippon Power Graphite (NPG) which specializes in high-value coated natural graphites for domestic battery manufacturers - and more recently electric vehicle batteries. Today, we are a leading supplier of minerals for the rechargeable battery industry. 

We now directly employ around 30 people:

  • in our unique production facility in Kitakyushu, producing coated materials through a proprietary chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process;
  • in our R&D center in Kawasaki, which specifically focuses on developments in lithium-ion and energy storage applications;
  • and as part of our local customer service and commercial team based in our Tokyo office.

Our product portfolio includes conductive carbon black as well as synthetic, natural and coated graphite, targeting the lithium-ion and alkaline battery industry and plasticsrubber, carbon brush, brake pad and powder metallurgy markets, and even more diversified business fields.

High resistance minerals for abrasives and refractories

Imerys High Resistance Minerals Japan started life in the early 1980s as Treibacher N. E. Asia. Our current business is the result of the 2015 merger between Imerys Fused Minerals and Imerys Refractory Minerals, as well as the subsequent acquisition of Kerneos Japan in 2018. 

Employing around 10 people, we are the leading supplier of solutions based on andalusite, calcium aluminate cement, cement admixture, clay, fused alumina, mullite, fused silica and zirconia to meet the needs of the refractory, abrasives, friction and building chemistry markets. Recently, we have been focusing our attention on technical ceramics for cutting-edge industries.

We operate through a network of distributors as well as direct sales from our warehouses located around Japan. 
 

*Talc products are not available in the USA and Canada. Contact us for an alternative range.

Key Figures

150+
Employees
6
Processing plants
2
R&D center
A car
Imerys minerals are important ingredients in lithium-ion batteries, lightweight plastics and tires, which contribute to lowering the carbon footprint of modern automobiles
Teams at our graphite and carbon R&D center are spearheading progress in battery technology for high-growth energy storage markets
Teams at our graphite and carbon R&D center are spearheading progress in battery technology for high-growth energy storage markets
The Niigata GCC (JV) plant produces ground calcium carbonate for a wide range of industries
The Niigata GCC (JV) plant produces ground calcium carbonate for a wide range of industries

Our presence in Japan

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