 |
 |
||||||
[July 2002]
Imerys Acquisition in Thailand
Imerys (Paris, France) has just acquired from Banpu - the Thai leader in energy - a majority share in MRD-ECC, a joint venture between the groups in which Banpu previously held a majority share. MRD-ECC has also acquired from Banpu the company MRD, which owns the Ranong kaolin deposits located in Thailand's Ranong Province.MRD-ECC operates a processing plant in Lampang from which the company markets ball clays extracted by Banpu in the frame of its coal extraction.
MRD extracts, processes and markets kaolin from its Ranong deposits.
Industries served include the sanitaryware, fibreglass, tiles and tableware markets of Thailand and South East Asia.
For Banpu, this agreement is seen as a further step in focussing on energy as its core business, comprising coal and power, and for Imerys demonstrates its commitment to developing a strong ceramics business in the fast growing market of South East Asia.
Imerys said that this acquisition complemented its current strategy of growing its business to serve existing and new customers with new mineral resources wherever they are in the world.
ENDS