Imerys completes acquisition of Luzenac Group

Imerys has completed recently the acquisition of 100% of the Luzenac Group from Rio Tinto. With sales of approximately USD395 million in 2010, Luzenac Group is the world leader in talc processing. This mineral is used in many technical applications such as polymers, paints, ceramics and paper, in a wide range of end markets (industrial equipment, construction and consumer goods etc.). It will therefore strengthen Imerys leadership and product offering.

This acquisition has been paid in cash for an enterprise value of USD340 million (€232 million), representing a multiple of EBITDA in line with historical multiples paid by Imerys. Luzenac Group will be part of the

Performance & Filtration Minerals business group and will be fully consolidated as of August 1, 2011. Current market conditions prevailing, this transaction is expected to create value by achieving a return on capital employed above the Group’s weighted average cost of capital from 2013 onwards.