Innovative solutions for a more sustainable future
Innovation powers our competitive advantage
With more than 300 scientists and engineers working across nine Imerys Technical Centers worldwide, advanced mineral innovation drives our long-term success. Our Science & Technology teams are composed of experts from the markets we serve, who leverage deep mineral knowledge and application development expertise to design and deliver smart materials, processes and pioneering solutions.
Working closely with our customers, our teams leverage a powerful digital ecosystem including AI and advanced modeling to accelerate data analysis and optimize formulations with precision - to deliver high-performance solutions that meet our customers’ real needs.
Whether supporting the energy transition, enabling sustainable construction or developing solutions that enhance mineral resource efficiency and support downstream circularity, we continually advance our portfolio to address key megatrends that matter to our customers.
Key figures
9 Imerys Technical Centers spanning 4 continents
Imerys fosters a culture of borderless innovation. Our interconnected network of 9 global technology centers unites over 300 skilled science and technology professionals. This collaborative environment empowers our people to share expertise, resources, and best practices across Imerys.
 | Foster a culture of innovation based on excellenceWe aim to foster a culture of innovation combining creativity, expertise, and the latest digital technologies. We nurture a pool of talented specialists from industry and academia, who bring diverse expertise in material science, as well as fresh perspectives to everything we do. Our scientists and engineers leverage the latest technologies to explore new applications and accelerate product development. By harnessing the breadth of our minerals portfolio alongside advanced technology and sustainability criteria, we have gained deep insights into applications science, which we share globally through research publications and industry presentations. |
Innovating for sustainable growthSustainability is central to how we develop products and processes. We integrate our SustainAgility solutions assessment approach into our stage-gate process for new product development to ensure new solutions actively create sustainable value for our clients and help them make informed decisions according to their sustainability ambitions We focus on optimizing processes to reduce the CO2 emission of our mineral solutions and production sites — in turn helping our customers lower the environmental impact of their products in their final applications. Our approach to manage resource efficiency reprocessed or repurposed minerals into our product portfolio. At the same time, we work with partners to innovate in mineral recovery and find new uses for our industrial by-products. |  |
 | Embrace a customer-centric approachAs a trusted Partner of Choice, we place our customers and partners at the heart of our innovation strategy. We partner with customers, OEMs, startups, leading experts, research institutions and universities to drive industry advancements, improving our innovation reach and accelerating time to market for new solutions. |
Addressing global megatrends and the circular economy with sustainable solutions
We strive to be at the forefront of the mineral industry’s response to some of the major challenges facing the world, through the design of sustainable solutions and innovative mineral applications that address major megatrends such as climate change, rapid urbanization and changing demographics.
In fact, sustainability is the key lever for product innovation at Imerys.
Before embarking on a new product development project, all innovation projects are evaluated within the stage-gate process using our robust SustainAgility Solutions Assessment (SSA) methodology. SSA ensures that sustainability factors are systematically considered when deciding to move forward with a new product development (NPD). This approach helps guarantee that each NPD delivers measurable sustainability benefits for our customers, and that we are able to provide our customers with the most accurate product alternative to meet their sustainability ambitions.
In 2024, 86% of the new developments we launched on the market were classed Imerys sustainable solutions.
| New product developments are classed into the C, B, A (Enabler) or A+ (Pioneer) category depending on their sustainability performance. Pioneer status denotes innovations that make the highest social and environmental contribution to the downstream value chain, as well as those with a low environmental impact during their production phase (in relation to their economic value). |  |
Innovating for high-growth markets
Our current innovation efforts focus on designing solutions for fast-growing markets set to drive future growth: low-emission mobility and energy transition, sustainable construction, and natural solutions for consumer goods.
Innovating for the energy transition
From optimizing energy storage and lightweight materials for mobility to providing essential additives for solar and semiconductors, our research drives the technology needed to support the global energy transition. We help industries transition to smarter, more sustainable operations.
Decarbonizing the construction industry
Our innovation strategy for the construction industry focuses on decarbonization, resource efficiency, and solutions integrating reclaimed minerals. By developing sustainable materials and advanced insulation, we help the industry reduce its environmental footprint while supporting more responsible building practices.
Innovating for consumer goods and life sciences
In consumer goods and life sciences, our innovation is dedicated to strengthening a sustainable and resilient food chain and enhancing human well-being. By providing natural, mineral-based alternatives for agriculture and ingredients that meet the demand for safer consumer products, we deliver tangible solutions to today’s most urgent societal needs.
Designing the next generation of sustainable mineral solutions
Harnessing smart R&D and digital technologies
Our R&D activities leverage a powerful digital ecosystem to drive efficiency. AI and advanced modeling enable us to accelerate data analysis and optimize formulations with pinpoint precision, while our smart laboratories automate experimental data capture. This digital-first approach ensures we deliver high-performance solutions at the speed of the market.
Exploring by-products valorization
Rapid population growth and urbanization are putting increasing pressure on natural resources. We are committed to supporting a more sustainable industry by developing bio-sourced, repurposed, and low-emission solutions that help reduce environmental impacts.
Driving innovation throughout our business
We strive to approach everything we do with an innovative mindset.
We seek growth and improvement opportunities across our entire value chain—from responsible upstream sourcing and advanced industrial technologies to our flagship pilot projects and optimized logistics. This comprehensive approach fuels our M&A strategy and reinforces a culture of continuous improvement. At the heart of this effort is our people; by fostering a growth mindset, we empower our teams to innovate and drive the meaningful change required to stay at the forefront of our industry.
At our extraction sites, we employ innovative geology and mine mapping techniques to optimize precious resources, and innovation is helping us transition towards low CO2 operations in line with our Greenhouse Gas emissions reduction targets. Key levers include an energy efficiency methodology and heat recovery technologies that are significantly reducing our consumption and emissions.
Automation and digitalization are transforming our processing plants. Predictive maintenance systems now enable real-time performance tracking and continuous improvement.
Innovation partnerships - work with us!
Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation.
Imerys collaborates with customers, OEMs, startups, and research institutions to co-create the next generation of future-ready solutions.
We’re also interested in strategic acquisitions of early-stage companies developing disruptive new mineral capabilities.
So whether you're a deep-tech startup, an applications lab or a manufacturer with a particular project in mind, please contact us. We'd love to hear from you.
Imerys is proud to present the final portrait in our "The Research Behind" video series. Throughout this series, we have offered an unprecedented look into our science and technology process by highlighting the scientists driving our innovation. To conclude our individual expert profiles, we travel to our Graphite & Carbon technology satellite in Kawasaki, Japan, to meet Sanghoon Kim.
Imerys, the world leader in mineral-based specialties, is proud to present the seventh episode of "The Research Behind," offering an inside look at our state-of-the-art science and technology processes and centers.
Imerys continues its global journey through "The Research Behind" series, offering an expert-led look into the innovations shaping a more sustainable industry. Episode 6 highlights the groundbreaking work being conducted at the Imerys Technology Center in Tianjin, where the Group is addressing global challenges in energy storage and material circularity.
Imerys, the world leader in mineral-based specialties for industry, is proud to continue "The Research Behind" video series, offering an unprecedented look into our science and technology processes. This series highlights the brilliant minds and groundbreaking work of our teams worldwide.