Imerys’ recent acquisition of a majority stake in one of Vale’s two kaolin operations has further consolidated the select group of leading kaolin players, which now comprises just seven producing companies, compared with 12 in 1990, and 15 in 1980 (see table).
Initially, Imerys concentrated its paper coating kaolin supply base in Brazil by switching production from south-west UK to its Imerys Rio Capim Caulim (IRCC) operations in Para, Brazil, at present with a capacity of 1.6m. tpa.
Now the French group has reinforced its Brazilian kaolin portfolio with a $70m., 86.1% stake in neighbour Para Pigmentos SA (PPSA), with a capacity of about 400,000 tpa.
Disclosing the deal in its interim results announcement on 30 July 2010, Imerys said the acquisition was settled on 26 July. “This operation will enable the business group to secure its supply of white pigment for global paper...