Imerys in the UK

Imerys in the UK employs over 1,110 people at 30 operations, including at five world-class open-pit mine sites, located in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire and Essex. Our UK operations produce kaolin, ball clay, calcium carbonate and calcium aluminates for a broad spectrum of industries ranging from ceramics to paints to refractories and hydraulic binders. They feature a state-of-the-art Technology Center at Par Moor, Cornwall.
Melbur pit UK

The Melbur kaolin open pit mine in Cornwall.

Par Moor UK
The Par Moor processing plant supplies high quality kaolin for plastics, rubber, paint, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals - among others.
Beverley, Yorkshire
Ground calcium carbonates from our Beverley site near Hull, Yorkshire, are sold the world over.
West Thurrock, Essex
West Thurrock in Essex produces fused and sintered calcium illuminate binders.
Infrastructure and utilities
Calcium aluminate speciality binders are valued for their high resistance to corrosion, abrasion and heat.
Bathroom fittings
UK ball clays are prized ingredients in sophisticated sanitaryware.
#3
The UK is the 3rd largest producer of kaolin after Brazil and the USA
850KT
Volume of finished kaolin and ball clay products exported to 75 countries across the globe each year
75KT
Volume of calcium carbonates products sold to the market each year
#1
West Thurrock is Imerys’ largest sintered calcium aluminate site in Europe
Gemma Parkes

I love working for Imerys! We have a great team here, everyone is incredibly supportive and I have had so much encouragement along the way. Being the only woman on the team is no issue at all and I would encourage anyone to give this a try. Imerys has such a strong legacy in this area and I am proud to be part of that. I look forward to progressing my career here as I can see so many opportunities!

Gemma Parkes
Forklift operator, Lostock, Cheshire
Dan Liston

Imerys has its own ‘grid’ as we have solar panels and wind turbines on our land to help generate our own electricity. As a result, we have substations everywhere which need attention. Working on the ‘subs gang’ as I do, means I have been able to learn on the UK’s largest private energy network - which is an incredible experience.

Dan Liston
Electrical engineering apprentice, Cornwall

We have announced on 29 June 2023 the creation of a joint venture with British Lithium, aimed at producing battery-grade lithium from Cornish granite.

Read the press release

Did you know we have many permissive trails across 'Clay Country' in Cornwall? 

This leaflet shows you where you can walk. Please be sure to always stick to the pathways. 

Key product ranges

Adhesives, caulks & sealants
EMEA, North America, South America, Asia Pacific
All regions
Refractory producers
EMEA, North America, South America, Asia Pacific
All regions
Building materials, Infrastructure & utilities
Building materials +1
EMEA, North America, South America, Asia Pacific
All regions
Infrastructure & utilities
EMEA, North America, South America, Asia Pacific
All regions
Infrastructure & utilities
EMEA, North America, South America, Asia Pacific
All regions

Articles you might be interested in

Imerys School Tree Planting in the UK - February 2025
Local news

UK site rehabilitation program builds a lasting legacy for future generations

Imerys’ UK operations in Cornwall have taken another significant step in advancing their site restoration program, with the goal of planting 150,000 trees across its former China clay quarry sites. In early March, they collaborated with a group of local primary school children, reinforcing community engagement and underscoring their commitment to land rehabilitation in partnership with the local community.

Read more
Imerys X Seitiss partnership
Corporate news

Seitim: How Imerys is joining forces with start-ups to unlock the sustainable potential of minerals

Seitim is an innovative joint venture between Imerys and Seitiss, a circular economy start-up company. Its mission is to turn industrial waste into valuable mineral resources.  

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Emmanuelle Henry, Imerys
Product story

A Partner of Choice for sustainability

Imerys minerals are found in over thirty industrial sectors, serving as essential ingredients in a broad range of applications—from cosmetics and construction to energy transition initiatives. In these fields, regulations and client expectations are increasingly stringent regarding environmental protection and health standards. Our goal is to help our clients get the most out of our solutions by enhancing their positive contributions to society and responsibly managing any potential negative effects throughout their entire life cycle.

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ITC Villach, Austria - Imerys
Local news

Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence: A milestone of our Imerys Technology Center in Villach, Austria

Over 20 years, Imerys' Technology Centre (ITC) in Villach, Austria, has evolved expertise from primarily abrasives solutions to become a comprehensive research center, advancing innovations across abrasives, advanced ceramics, and investment casting solutions.

Read more