Imerys to dispose non-core natural graphite assets

Imerys has signed an agreement to sell to Northern Graphite Corporation, a listed mineral development and technology company, its mothballed natural graphite mine and plant in Namibia, as well as its natural graphite mine in Lac des Iles (Canada), which is primarily supplying non-processed products for refractory and engineering applications, for a total consideration of ca. €40 million. These assets generated ca. €15 million of revenue per year with 50 employees and were accounted for in the Performance Minerals Asia Pacific business area. The deal is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

Imerys will pursue the development of innovative materials for the fast growing market of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, i.e. synthetic graphite produced in Bodio, Switzerland, and carbon black produced in Willebroek, Belgium. Imerys will also further develop its production and business in Terrebonne (Canada), where it manufactures high added-value, processed natural graphite, mainly addressing polymers and industrial applications.