Press Release

Imerys Al Zayani Bahrain and Yellow Door Energy partner to reduce local CO2 emissions by 20% through a 25,000 square meters solar plant

Conceptual rendering by the Yellow Door energy
  • Imerys’ Bahrain - Hidd site - part of Imerys Al Zayani Fused Minerals Company W.L.L, signs a solar power purchase agreement with Yellow Door Energy

  • Forecasted solar production is 7.6GWh/y, which represents 15 to 20% of the required plant consumption

  • This 4,800 tons of CO2 avoided per year contributes to Imerys' ambitious CO2 emission reduction targets

Manama, Bahrain, March 30, 2022: Imerys, the world leader in mineral-based specialty solutions for industry, is partnering with Yellow Door Energy, the leading sustainable provider for businesses in the Middle East, to install over 8,500 solar panels at its white fused alumina production plant in Bahrain. This alumina plant is operated by Imerys and local partner Al Zayani.

Covering an area of 25,000 square meters, this solar plant will be connected to our internal distribution network. It will have a capacity of 4,500 kWp and will generate 7,600 megawatt-hours of renewable electricity in the first year of operation. It will be both ground-mounted as well as fixed on the roofs of the existing building. This will bring significant cost savings, reduce carbon emissions linked to Imery operations by 4,800 tonnes per year once fully operational as well as contribute to reducing the CO2 footprint of the white fused alumina produced in Bahrain, which in turn will benefit to the sustainability roadmap of our international refractory and abrasives customers.

Construction of the solar plant should commence in the second half of 2022 and it should be operational by 2023. Through this project of reducing Co2 emissions, together with Yellow Door Energy, we are contributing towards Bahrain’s Net Zero initiative.

Imerys aims to extract - and transform minerals responsibly and sustainably over the long term to meet society’s needs. Through its SustainAgility program, the Group is committed to reducing the scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 36% relative to revenue (tCO2/M€), by 2030. This climate change roadmap is in line with the commitments of the Paris Agreement, with transparent objectives and concrete actions to significantly reduce the carbon emissions of its operations and develop low carbon products for its customers.

Our systematic approach to combating climate change permeates all aspects of our business, from the energy we buy and the processes we use, to the way we manage our supply chain and the products we provide to our customers. This new project in Bahrain is a perfect example of how we act locally to make a difference globally. We are looking forward to the completion of this solar plant, which is planned for early 2023” commented Philippe BOURG, Imerys Refractory, Abrasives & Construction Senior Vice President.

Yellow Door Energy is honored to partner with Imerys Al Zayani and support its ambitious SustainAgility program and carbon reduction targets. As our company continues to grow in the Kingdom of Bahrain, we look forward to helping businesses switch to clean energy, reduce their electricity costs and contribute to the Kingdom’s Net Zero by 2060 target.” commented Rory MCCARTHY, Chief Commercial Officer of Yellow Door Energy.

As the solar developer, Yellow Door Energy is responsible for financing, designing, building, commissioning, operating and maintaining the solar plant for the duration of the agreement. They will comply with Imerys’ Contractor Management Procedure and Health, Safety and Environmental Policy.

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About Imerys

The world leader in mineral-based specialty solutions for industry, with €4.4 billion revenue and 17000 employees in 2021, Imerys delivers high value-added, functional solutions to diversified set of industrial sectors, from processing industries to consumer goods. The Group draws on its knowledge of applications, technological expertise and its material science know-how to deliver solutions based on beneficiation of its mineral resources, synthetic minerals and formulations. These contribute essential properties to customers’ products and performance, including refractoriness, hardness, conductivity, opacity, durability, purity, lightness, filtration, absorption and repellency. Imerys is determined to develop responsibly, in particular by fostering the emergence of environmentally-friendly products and processes.

About Yellow Door Energy

Yellow Door Energy is the leading sustainable energy partner for businesses, serving commercial and industrial customers in the Middle East and South Asia. The company’s solar and energy efficiency solutions enable businesses to reduce energy costs, improve power reliability and lower carbon emissions. Yellow Door Energy’s shareholders include the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Equinor, and APICORP. www.yellowdoorenergy.com

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Contacts

Philippa McLean - Imerys Refractory Abrasives & Construction Communication Director
+33 6 44 33 33 99

Josephine PHAM - Yellow Door Energy Marketing Manager
+971 454 3033