Imerys

M&A Activity • Dec 12, 2012

Paris, December 12, 2012

Imerys has received a Imerys binding acquisition offer acquisition offerofferfor its Imerys Structure Structureactivity activity fromBOUYERLEROUX group

Imerys Structure has been active on the French clay building materials (wall and partition blocks, chimney blocks) market for decades, contributing to the growth of this construction method through a dynamic industrial and commercial development policy. Its innovations improve buildings' thermal performance and meet the requirements of low-consumption buildings. With its efficient industrial network of seven plants mainly located in Southern France, Imerys Structure employs 400 people and posted €95 million in revenue in 2011.

A family company founded in 1955, BOUYER LEROUX has developed through internal and external growth to become an industrial player that is renowned for its high-quality, original offering of solutions for the construction, renovation and improvement of environmentally efficient buildings. The company's capital has been owned by its employees since 1980. Today it employs almost 370 people and posted revenue of €90 million in the financial year ending September 30, 2012. Mostly based in Northwestern France, BOUYER LEROUX has built up sound positions in clay structure products, a business that now accounts for almost 75% of its activity.

The envisioned business combination would create a leader in clay structure materials in France, with the two entities' good geographic fit forming an efficient industrial and commercial network on a national scale. In a context of heightened competition, the integration of the two activities with a strong culture of customer satisfaction and product quality, together with mining and technological integration, would increase the new entity's growth and innovation, as well as its competitiveness.

Imerys is currently examining the offer received for an enterprise value close to one year's revenue. The project will be subject in particular to the consultation of personnel representation bodies and to the required administrative authorizations being obtained. Closing could take place in the first half of 2013.

Imerys Structure is one of the two departments of Imerys TC, a French leader in clay building materials. Imerys Toiture (roof tiles) and Imerys Structure (wall and partition blocks, chimney blocks) deliver practical solutions that meet tomorrow's environmental issues and promote housing that delivers greater performance, cost effectiveness and comfort and is therefore more sustainable. Imerys TC is part of the Imerys group's Materials & Monolithics business group.

The world leader in mineral-based specialty solutions for industry, Imerys transforms a unique range of minerals to deliver essential functions (heat resistance, mechanical strength, conductivity, coverage, barrier effect, etc.) that are essential to its customers' products and manufacturing processes. Whether mineral components, functional additives, process enablers or finished products, Imerys' solutions contribute to the quality of a great number of applications in consumer goods, industrial equipment or construction. Combining expertise, creativity and attentiveness to customers' needs, the Group's international teams constantly identify new applications and develop high value-added solutions under a determined approach to responsible development. These strengths enable Imerys to develop through a sound, profitable business model.

More comprehensive information about Imerys may be obtained from its Internet website (www.imerys.com) under Regulated Information, particularly in its Registration Document filed with Autorité des marchés financiers on March 22, 2012 under number D.12-0193 (also available from the Autorité des marchés financiers website, www.amf-france.org). Imerys draws the attention of investors to chapter 4, "Risk Factors", of its Registration Document.

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Analyst/investor relations: Pascale Arnaud – +33 (0)1 49 55 64 01 shareholders@imerys.com

Press contacts: Pascale Arnaud – +33(0)1 49 55 64 01 Raphaël Leclerc - +33 (0)6 73 16 88 06