Biodiversity: Imerys renews its partnership with PatriNat
Yesterday, Imerys renewed its partnership with PatriNat, a French national public organization under the joint supervision of the National Museum of Natural History, thereby reaffirming its commitment to biodiversity protection. This successful collaboration embodies our determination to take concrete action to protect and restore ecosystems around our operating sites.
A Long-term Partnership for Biodiversity
Since 2018, Imerys has been collaborating with PatriNat, the expertise and data center for natural heritage, a unit jointly accredited by the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN), the French Biodiversity Office, CNRS, and the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD). This relationship of trust, built over time, aims to support our biodiversity strategy in order to manage the issues, avoid or limit the impact of our activities on nature. After an initial renewal of the partnership in 2021, Alessandro Dazza, CEO of Imerys, and Gilles Bloch, President of the MNHN, signed on Thursday 13 June, the renewal of this collaboration, which will run until the end of 2028. On this occasion, Imerys and PatriNat showcased the initiatives undertaken as part of the partnership and the ambitions of this renewal.
On-the-Ground Collaboration with Experts from the National Museum of Natural History
Scientists from the National Museum of Natural History regularly visit Imerys sites. They accompany us to help assess the ecological status of these sites, propose tailored action plans, and may conduct field research projects. This practical implementation allows them to enrich their knowledge and test new methodologies. From Imerys' perspective, this collaboration helps us better understand local biodiversity and the impact of our activities, strengthening our ability to adopt effective solutions to preserve ecosystems. The vision and expertise of PatriNat also help challenge our practices.
An ecological atlas to guide our local action Plans
Each of Imerys’ operational sites also benefit from access to a dedicated ecological atlas, developed in partnership with PatriNat. This tool provides a cartographic assessment of biodiversity around the site by cross-referencing different databases on biogeographical regions, sensitive areas, ecosystems, threatened species, human impacts, carbon sources, etc. With this essential tool, our teams can identify ecological challenges specific to each site and effectively address them by developing an adapted biodiversity action plan reviewed annually.
Imerys' commitments to reconcile biodiversity and the mining industry
Our partnership with PatriNat and the National Museum of Natural History is part of Imerys' broader environmental policy. As a major player in the minerals industry, we are aware of the impact of our activities and make every effort to limit our environmental impact and ensure we respect the ecosystems in which we operate.
Our site in Glomel, France, has inaugurated a water treatment plant that further reduces manganese concentration in water discharge.
Imerys has rehabilitated its Savins quarry around the town of Provins in France, and located in a prominent farming area. The project has created an area rich in biodiversity. Particularly, the body of water has, among other successes, allowed the colonization of dozens of species of flora and fauna.
After decades of operation the Foufouilloux Nord site has been in the hands of nature and its biodiversity since 2014.
Imerys formally continues two key relationships that support its role in biodiversity preservation.