Imerys — Legal Proceedings Report 2018

Apr 12, 2018

PRESS RELEASE

ROSWELL, GEORGIA, APRIL 12, 2018

Imerys Talc America Inc. (ITA) to appeal jury verdict in Lanzo trial

ITA will appeal the decision of a New Jersey jury that found it and Johnson & Johnson responsible for a New Jersey resident's lung disease. Mr. Lanzo has mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer often linked with asbestos exposure. The jury awarded him and his wife compensatory and punitive damages, of which ITA share is \$36.1M.

While ITA deeply sympathizes with those affected by all forms of cancer, this decision is inconsistent with a great deal of science establishing the safety of talc, including a recently published study of workers who mined and milled talc. It is also inconsistent with previous juries addressing the same issues, which did not find ITA's products contained asbestos or caused any disease.

ITA follows all Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory guidelines and utilizes rigorous testing to ensure that Imerys talc meets the highest quality standards.

ITA is confident its products are safe. ITA and its insurers are defending lawsuits in several jurisdictions across the country, and it will continue to vigorously defend itself against such possible claims in the future.

About ITA

Imerys Talc America is the leading talc producer on the American continent, with operations in Montana, Vermont, and Texas.

The company supplies premium-quality, talc-based solutions to a wide variety of industrial applications including paints, plastics, ceramics, rubber, paper, agriculture, adhesives and sealants, building products, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.(www.imerystalc.com).

Press Contacts:

Dan Rene at (202) 973-1325