Imerys recently announced new capacity expansion and optimization investment in the Sylacauga (AL) plant, the Group’s largest site in North America. This investment, part of a three-year site plan to support the growing demand for Ground Calcium Carbonate products, is also part of Imerys’ commitment to grow its business in the communities and regions where it operates. 

 

The investment is designed to expand manufacturing capacity, and improve operational reliability, nearly doubling the capability of current equipment. The plan includes installing new industrial equipment and upgrading plant automation systems to support debottlenecking of critical areas, to meet growing market demand. At the center of the improvement plan is a new ore crusher commissioned at the end of 2021, which will enable the manufacture of over 35 specialty products, accommodating future product innovation. 

 

Additionally, the investment aims to reduce energy consumption and decrease the site’s overall CO2 footprint, while also improving production yields. One of the innovations derived from the Sylacauga ore is ReMined, a 100% pre-consumer recycled calcium carbonate used for various green building initiatives including LEED National Green Building Standard and NSF/ANSI 140. Enhanced infrastructure at Sylacauga will support the growth of these sustainable products.

 

Sylacauga is known for having the longest deposit of marble in the world, playing a major part in the U.S.’s most significant buildings, particularly in Washington DC. The site produces specialty minerals that are used in a wide variety of markets such as plastics, paints and coatings, building and construction, paper and board products, and renewable energy.