Imerys

Environmental & Social Information • Feb 13, 2017

Update on Imerys talc supplies from Afghanistan and Pakistan

Following the article published by Le Monde on talc mining, Imerys declares that none of the Group's talc operations is based in Afghanistan or Pakistan. The talc deposits operated by Imerys are in Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Italy and the United States (Montana, Vermont).

To supplement the production of its own mines, Imerys does purchase ore from external suppliers. Imerys has long been working to reduce its external supplies by developing its own activities and new product sources. Imerys' share of talc imports from Pakistan today (including afghan talc) is representing less than 1% of its annual talc sales.

These talc imports from Pakistan and Afghanistan, countries which are not subject to embargo, are undertaken by Imerys in complete transparency. Imerys ensures that all international rules governing trade with these countries are respected. These purchases are made from a single local supplier selected by the Group, and with whom it has developed an exclusive relationship for 5 years.

Ever since, Imerys has made sure that this supplier is complying with the strict rules governing its own activities and those of its suppliers in terms of transparency, ethics, and quality. Imerys is doing so through audits carried out by external and independent audit firms whose conclusions are confirming compliance of the Group's activities in the region. Lastly, since 2015, the Afghan government requires that all local companies respect strict rules which facilitates our control process.

However, in its effort to ensure the consistency of its supply chain with its transparency, ethics and quality of products requirements, Imerys will complement its analysis with an assessment conducted in partnership with an independent organization that operates locally. It will allow Imerys to review the conditions of its talc supply from Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Full information on the Group's "Filtration & Performance Additives" business group, which carries out its talc mining and sales activities, is available in Imerys' annual report and in its quarterly, half-yearly and annual financial results.

The world leader in mineral-based specialty solutions for industry, with €4 billion revenue and 16,000 employees, Imerys delivers high value-added, functional solutions to a great number of sectors, from processing industries to consumer goods and building products. The Group draws on its knowledge of applications, scientific expertise and technological know-how to beneficiate its mineral resources, develop formulations and produce synthetic minerals. These contribute essential properties to customers' products and performance, including refractoriness, hardness, conductivity, opacity, durability, purity, lightness, filtration, absorption and repellency. Imerys is determined to develop responsibly, in particular by fostering the emergence of environmentally-friendly products and processes.

Analyst/Investor relations:	Press contacts:
Vincent Gouley - + 33 (0)1 49 55 64 69	Vincent Gouley - + 33 (0)1 49 55 64 69
finance@imerys.com	Philémon Tassel - + 33 (0)6 30 10 96 11
	Sarah Fornier - + 33 (0)7 87 40 83 50