EV polymers growth drives Imerys expansion in China

Paris – Imerys has announced the official opening of a new plant in Wuhu, China, dedicated to the production of speciality talcs for automotive polymers applications.

The plant will meet growing Chinese market demand for mineral reinforcement additives that contribute to the lightweighting of automotive parts.

The Wuhu unit is “the company’s most ambitious investment project in the region in recent years,” noted Imerys’ 6 Nov announcement.

The 26,000m2 facility employs around 30 people and is slated to reach its full annual production capacity of around 35,000 tonnes by 2025.

Output encompasses the French group’s range of engineered high aspect ratio, ultrafine, and micro lamellar talcs, which are designed to improve the mechanical performance of polymer-based automotive parts.

Production includes the group’s ImerFlex high aspect-ratio talcs, designed to improve the impermeability of tire inner-liners, an Imerys spokeswoman explained.

Partially replacing carbon black, the products are said to enable manufacturers to reduce tire permeability by up to 40% - improving rolling resistance and consequently fuel-consumption.

The new plant will provide Chinese polymer producers with the same talc products we currently supply... from our European production sites,” said Guillaume Delacroix, senior VP, Imerys Performance Minerals, EMEA & APAC.

Imerys’ presence in China includes a technology centre in Tianjin, and 10 other plants – including a calcium carbonates processing plant adjacent to the new facility – together employing around 1,400 people.

Wuhu in Anhui province is a strategic location for China’s automotive industry, Imerys further pointed out.