30 key moments of 2020
A year in review
![Imerys Group HP](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/top_content_image_mobile/public/2019/05/14/IMERYS%20GROUP%20HP.JPG.webp?itok=q132JxUX)
![D&K](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/fade_card/public/2021/03/05/First%20image.png?h=9e16a70f&itok=29PRUZk9)
CEO Alessandro Dazza and Chairman Patrick Kron look back at the achievements and challenges of 2020
JANUARY
2020
![1](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com1_.png.webp?itok=0iHZl_eX)
We scale up testing capabilities at our Technology Center in Johns Creek, Georgia
Expanding footprint by 40% to create new lab capabilities
![2](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com2_.png.webp?itok=8781rY0r)
We acquire a new high-performance abrasives business in the expanding Chinese market
FEBRUARY
2020
![3](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com3_.png.webp?itok=pEaC69vT)
New Chief Executive Officer, Alessandro Dazza, takes over at the helm
![4](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com4_.png.webp?itok=Tp2vl_Pt)
Our management of climate issues is rated above sector average by the CDP
APRIL & MAY
2020
![6](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com6_.png.webp?itok=Ai0MHamp)
The acquisition of two major perlite players in the US boosts our North American offering
Expanding our portfolio for horticulture and agriculture markets
![7](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com7_.png.webp?itok=bMPQ4bug)
The 5 km cableway at Luzenac (France) re-opens after a 3-year refurbishment project
JUNE
2020
![8](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com8_.png.webp?itok=Cx2lqB_s)
Employees worldwide continue to rally to support their local communities during the Covid crisis
![9](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com9_.png.webp?itok=Zf3WOrVl)
The American Ceramic Society elevates an Imerys Ceramics Engineer to Fellow status
![juin](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/fade_card/public/2021/03/05/Juin.png?h=9e16a70f&itok=jfofcUne)
We endorse our pledge to biodiversity, joining the ranks of Act-4-Nature International
JUNE
JUNE
2020
![10](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com10.png.webp?itok=bJ4dP04w)
Calderys India opens its 2nd local school to provide quality education for all
![11](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com11.png.webp?itok=CKn8qjtf)
We set an internal carbon price on GHG-emissions
JULY
2020
![12](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com12.png.webp?itok=pJoLkoqt)
Calderys acquires Hysil, India’s #1 calcium silicate thermal insulation business
![13](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com13.png.webp?itok=SS_IkDv7)
We sponsor the foundation of a Chair grouping France’s top mining universities
![juillet](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/fade_card/public/2021/03/05/Juillet.png?h=9e16a70f&itok=n6TAFgln)
Imerys site receives the 2020 Better Practice Award from the US Department of Energy Better Plants program
JULY
AUGUST & SEPTEMBER
2020
![14](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com14.png.webp?itok=5xiHNV-r)
Alessandro Dazza renews our commitment to the French Business Climate Pledge
We are involved with our partners in the COP21 2°C trajectory
![15](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com15.png.webp?itok=p4jLSRqW)
The Brazilian Paints & Coatings Market recognizes Imerys “Best Supplier of the Year 2020"
SEPTEMBER
2020
![16](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com16.png.webp?itok=rOZdmdYi)
We expand our partnership with IMCD across the US and Canada
![17](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com17.png.webp?itok=ePIXewBt)
Calderys celebrates its 15th anniversary since the merger of Plibrico and Lafarge Refractories
OCTOBER
2020
![18](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com18.png.webp?itok=ho36jPCo)
A renewed partnership with French Museum of Natural History seals our commitment to biodiversity
![19](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com19.png.webp?itok=Y35DLOyt)
A refractory installation course boosts career opportunities for young people in India
OCTOBER
2020
![20](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com20.png.webp?itok=wWUOsaUK)
Imerys invests €35 million in Swiss graphite plant to meet global li-ion battery demand
![21](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com21.png.webp?itok=PX0kNgG1)
Imerys champions diversity and inclusion, encouraging employees to take the floor
NOVEMBER
2020
![22](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com22.png.webp?itok=7FiX8f22)
Safety record at our Le Teil production site wins French Industry top Safety Award
![23](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com23.png.webp?itok=MVtdG8Ej)
Sunward joins the Group, expanding our footprint in the Taiwanese refractory market
DECEMBER
2020
![SD Challenge](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/02/09/highlight%2028.png.webp?itok=6pdFc3T1)
We received a record-breaking 216 initiatives in response to our internal Sustainable Development Challenge
![24](https://www.imerys.com/public/styles/flip_card/public/2021/01/27/Template%20Imerys.com24.png.webp?itok=ZEO2sLfa)
Calderys acquires 60% stake in Turkish high-grade monolithic/brick refractory business, Haznedar Durer