French minerals conglomerate Imerys Group reported healthy results for the first half of 2011 as sales edged up 11.4% to €1.8bn ($2.5bn), while current operating income grew 20.8% to €252.9m.
“The improvement in Imerys’ markets continued in the first half of 2011 and the group raised its operating margin to 14%,” said Gilles Michel, who was appointed chairman and chief executive officer on 28 April.
“In that context, we are confident that the growth in net income from current operations will exceed 20% for the full year 2011,” he added.
The group reported stronger end markets compared to H1 2010 as raw materials consumption benefitted from a surge in inventory...