Imerys slashes jobs in UK kaolin operations

Paris - Imerys, the French-owned producer of kaolin (or china clay) has announced a plan to slash up to 800 UK jobs in a bid to "to ensure the future of its operations in the southwest of England." The company said increases in energy costs have had a dramatic affect on the business, as the clay needs to be heated during the production process.

The company plans to close its hydrous kaolin operations in Cornwall. The material is used as a low-cost semi-reinforcing filler in many rubber compounds.

The company's 'performance minerals products will continue to be produced from Cornwall. These products are treated and coated, and, according to Imerys, are used, "to give good processing, chemical resistance, barrier properties, good white colour and a level of reinforcement dependent on their particle size."

Imerys said it will close its hydrous kaolin operations in Devon, while consolidating its UK kaolin for ceramics and for performance minerals base (which supplies to the rubber industry) in Cornwall.

Imerys will also stop manufacturing paper coating grades in Cornwall by the end of 2007. The paper operations in Cornwall will focus on the production of paper filler kaolins, for which its natural kaolin reserves are best suited. Imerys' production capacity for coating grades in Brazil will be expanded accordingly.

According to Imerys, the UK reorganisation includes a proposal of up to 800 job losses from the Cornwall and Devon area. Most of the changes will not take place before the fourth quarter of next year. In the meantime the company will start a full consultation process with unions and employee representatives. Plans will be implemented to support any staff made redundant with a comprehensive outplacement service, an employee assistance programme that will provide financial advice and counselling for all employees.

Kaolin is sometimes called china clay and is made up mainly of hydrated aluminosilicate mineral called kaolinite. It is a white material made up of fine particles and is used as a filler to control hardness in many rubber compounds.

However, the vast bulk of kaolin is used in paper and ceramics industries. The Imerys announcement primarily affects the paper industry.

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Press release from Imerys

Clay firm job cuts could hit 800 BBC (UK)