Imerys reports solid H1 2026 results - Higher sales drive adjusted EBITDA and margin expansion

¹_{The definition of alternative performance measures can be found in the glossary at the end of the press release}

²_{Share of net income from joint ventures contributes 1.4 percentage point (pp) and 1.2 pp to Q2 2026 and H1 2026 adjusted EBITDA margin, respectively (0.6 pp in Q2 2025, 0.6 pp in H1 2025)}

³_{Net current free operating free cash flow: effective January 1, 2026, definition modified as additions to rights of used assets replaced by repayment of lease liabilities to prevent significant fluctuation at contract renewals. Under previous definition “Net Current free operating cash flow” would have been €63.5 million}

Outlook

Our performance in the first half of 2026 gives us confidence in delivering a solid full-year result, while we remain watchful of uneven demand trends and broader macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty. As a consequence, the Group targets an adjusted EBITDA in the range of €550 to €580 million for the year 2026, assuming no material deterioration in the current macroeconomic environment. We continue to focus on what we can control: serving our customers, managing costs and cash with discipline, and executing our strategic priorities.
 

Highlights

Horizon Project

The cost and performance improvement plan is progressing as planned across all relevant countries. As of June 30, 2026, €17 million in savings have already been achieved. This demonstrates that the Group is on track to realize over 50% of the expected benefits (€50–60 million versus the 2025 cost base) in 2026, with the full run-rate impact achieved from 2027 onward. As of June 30, 2026, €30 million of restructuring costs were booked in relation to this project.

Closing of the acquisition of Great Lakes Minerals business (USA)

The acquisition of Great Lakes Minerals, a leading United States-based processor and distributor of minerals for the refractory and abrasive industry, was closed on June 1, 2026.

This acquisition strengthens Imerys' Solutions for Refractory, Abrasives and Construction portfolio with critical materials, including calcined bauxite, mullite and fused alumina, while positioning the Group as a key supplier to customers across North America. The transaction also expands Imerys' geographical footprint with strategically located industrial assets on the Ohio River in Kentucky, allowing the Group to leverage direct barge-to-plant feedstock handling capabilities.

Imerys expects the business to generate revenue of approximately $80 million per year post integration, and to benefit from the ongoing reshoring of industrial activities to the USA.

Closing of the acquisition of SB Mineraçao (Brazil)

The acquisition of SB Mineraçao, a Brazilian company specializing in the production of ground calcium carbonate was finalized on July 1, 2026. Based in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim (State of Espírito Santo), the company is a leading producer of ground calcium carbonates used in various applications, including polymers, thermosets, paints and coatings in Brazil.

In 2025, this business generated more than USD 30 million in revenue. The acquisition is aligned with Imerys’ strategic ambition to invest in growing end markets while reinforcing its presence in Latin America to meet current and expected demand.

E.ON and Imerys inaugurate landmark energy recovery plant in Willebroek (Belgium)

As Europe accelerates its transition to electric mobility, E.ON Power Plants Belgium and Imerys Graphite & Carbon (IGC) inaugurated a state-of-the-art Energy Recovery Plant at Imerys’ production site in Willebroek, Belgium, on July 2, 2026.

Built, owned, and operated by E.ON, the facility captures the energy content of the industrial syngas — which contains high concentrations of hydrogen and carbon monoxide — produced by Imerys on site, and converts it into electricity via a high-efficiency steam turbine.

With an installed power generation capacity of up to 29 MW, the plant supplies the entire Imerys site and feeds surplus power into the Belgian grid equivalent to the annual consumption of roughly 40,000 households.

Commentary on the results

Revenue

Revenue in the second quarter of 2026 was €906 million, a 2.9% year-on-year increase at constant exchange rates. Sales volumes were up 0.5% driven by strong sales of conductive additives, dynamic activity in Asia, and market share gains offsetting subdued demand in certain end-markets, such as construction. The conflict in the Middle East had a limited direct impact on revenue as the Group, together with its local partners, has found alternative routes to import/export goods to/from the region. Selling prices rose by 1.8%, partly driven by the pass-through of energy cost increases to customers. Additionally, the integration of Great Lakes Minerals, effective June 1, 2026, contributed €6 million to the quarter’s revenue. Foreign exchange rates impact was limited to -0.7%.

Revenue in the first half of 2026 was €1,740 million, reflecting a 1.8% increase at constant exchange rates. Sales volumes were up 0.5% reflecting the contribution of recent capacity expansion and the strong performance of our commercial teams. Demand remained muted overall, and in particular in Europe. Pricing remained firm, increasing by 1.0% versus the prior year, while foreign exchange rates had a negative impact of 2.7% on sales, mainly in the first quarter.
 

Adjusted EBITDA 
 

Q2 2026 adjusted EBITDA was €172 million, a solid 14.5% year-on-year increase at constant exchange rates, driven by higher sales volumes, price increases, strict cost management and improved joint ventures contribution.

This led to an H1 2026 adjusted EBITDA of €290 million, a 10% increase versus H1 2025 at constant exchange rates.

Imerys achieved an adjusted EBITDA margin of 16.6% in H1 2026, up 0.6 pp versus last year thanks to a strong second quarter performance (19% margin on sales).

Current net income

Current net income, Group share, totaled €66 million in the first semester of 2026. The current financial result was negative at €46 million. This includes a €7 million non-cash mark-to-market revaluation of Purchase Power Agreements (PPAs) and a €10 million increase in interest expenses. The income tax expense of €24 million corresponds to an effective tax rate of 27%.
 

Net income

Net income, Group share in the first semester of 2026 totaled €49 million vs €70 million in prior year. It includes restructuring expenses for Project Horizon, partly offset by a revaluation gain on the EMILI lithium project (now accounted for under the equity method) following the €50 million stake purchase by the Banque des Territoires in April 2026.
 

Net current free operating cash flow⁵

Net current free operating cash flow for the first half of 2026 totaled €109 million. The increase versus prior year is largely attributable to enhanced profitability, disciplined control of working capital amid rising sales, lower capital expenditures, and higher dividends received from joint-ventures. Of the total €10 million strategic capital expenditures, €7 million were invested in the EMILI lithium project before the change to equity method consolidation on April 1, 2026.

Net financial debt⁵

As of June 30, 2026, net financial debt totaled €1,468 million. The € 77 million increase compared to December 31, 2025, takes into account the acquisition of Great Lakes Minerals at the end of May 2026 and new, large non-cash lease adjustments.

Financial structure

As of June 30, 2026, net financial debt to adjusted EBITDA6 was 2.6, in line with last year's end (2.5x).

⁴_{Share of net income from joint ventures contributes 1.4 percentage point (pp) and 1.2 pp to Q2 2026 and H1 2026 adjusted EBITDA margin, respectively (0.6 pp in Q2 2025, 0.6 pp in H1 2025)}

⁵_{Net current free operating free cash flow: effective January 1, 2026 definition modified as additions to rights of used assets replaced by repayment of lease liabilities to prevent significant fluctuation at contract renewals. Under previous definition “Net Current free operating cash flow” would have been €63.5 million}

⁶_{Based on the last twelve months adjusted EBITDA plus proforma for Great Lakes Minerals}

Performance by activity

Performance minerals

*Q2 and H1 2025 figures have been adjusted compared to actual results announced on July 29, 2025, to reflect the internal transfer of the Asian filtration business from the Americas to Europe, Middle East and Africa and Asia-Pacific region for operational management purposes. Totals remain unchanged.

Performance Minerals generated revenue of €1,034 million in the first half of 2026, representing positive organic growth year-on-year, largely driven by good activity in the Americas in the second quarter.

Revenue in the Americas grew 2.5% at constant exchange rates to reach €418 million in H1 2026. Sales volumes were flat (+0.1% vs H1 2025), as declining sales in the construction sector were offset by strong growth in filtration. Second quarter revenue reached €220 million, driven by positive volume growth (+1.2% vs Q2 2025), fueled primarily by thriving filtration business and market share gains in polymers. Pricing remained firm.

Revenue in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific was broadly in line with the prior year (-0.3% YoY at constant exchange rates) at €659 million in H1 2026. Volumes fell 2.3% vs H1 2025 as sales to ceramics were severely impacted by high energy costs and soft construction demand, only partially offset by market share gains in polymers and filtration. Second-quarter revenue came in at €342 million, in line with the previous year. Sales volumes declined by 2.7% compared with the second quarter of 2025. Prices rose 2.1% in H1, driven in part by higher energy costs passed on to customers. 

Adjusted EBITDA rose 8.1% at constant exchange rates, supported by positive price-cost balance and strict cost management.

Solutions for Refractory, Abrasives and Construction

Revenue generated by Solutions for Refractory, Abrasives & Construction reached €571 million in H1 2026, up 1.6% at constant exchange rates compared to the prior year. Sales volumes grew by 1.7%, driven by strong performance in the abrasives and advanced ceramics segments, particularly in China and to a lesser extent in the US. Sales to the refractory and construction markets remained flat, even with market share gains, due to weak end markets. Q2 showed a stronger performance of the business amid similar market trends. In a targeted effort to win back market share, prices were adjusted downward by 1.1% compared to the prior year. The price/cost balance remained positive.

Adjusted EBITDA rose 11.5% at constant exchange rates, supported by positive volumes and cost savings.

Solutions for Energy Transition

* Reported variation

The Graphite and Carbon business generated €137 million in revenue in H1 2026, delivering a 13.6% increase in sales at constant exchange rates, confirming its impressive growth from an already high comparison base (+20.6% in H1 2025 vs prior year). Revenue was driven by robust end markets (electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and conductive polymers), market share gains, and new product launches.

Fueled by higher sales, Adjusted EBITDA surged by 16.4% at constant exchange rates.

_{**For the definition of TQC’s EBITDA, see Imerys 2025 Universal Registration Document}

The Quartz Corporation (high-purity quartz joint venture, 50% owned by Imerys) generated revenue of €86 million (at 100%), a 6.0% increase versus last year’s first half. Part of the significant improvement in EBITDA and net income is related to one-off sales.
 

2026 first semester results webcast

The press release is available on the Group’s website www.imerys.com. The Group will hold a live webcast to discuss the first semester of 2026 results at 6.30 PM (CET) on July 29, 2026, which can be accessed via this link.

Financial Calendar

These dates are subject to change and may be updated on the Group’s website https://www.imerys.com/investors 

Note: For the appendices, please download the PDF version of press release.

Imerys is the world’s leading supplier of mineral-based specialty solutions for the industry with €3.4 billion in revenue and 12,300 employees in 40 countries in 2025. The Group offers high value-added and functional solutions to a wide range of industries and fast-growing markets such as solutions for the energy transition and sustainable construction, as well as natural solutions for consumer goods. Imerys draws on its understanding of applications, technological knowledge, and expertise in material science to deliver solutions which contribute essential properties to customers’ products and their performance. As part of its commitment to responsible development, Imerys promotes environmentally friendly products and processes in addition to supporting its customers in their decarbonization efforts.

Imerys is listed on Euronext Paris (France) with the ticker symbol NK.PA.

More comprehensive information about Imerys may be obtained from its website (www.imerys.com) in the Regulated Information section, particularly in its Registration Document filed with the French financial markets authority (Autorité des marchés financiers, AMF) on March 19, 2026 under number D.26-0117 (also available from the AMF website, www.amf-france.org). Imerys draws investors’ attention to chapter 2 “Risk Factors and Internal Control” of its Registration Document.

Disclaimer: This document contains projections and other forward-looking statements. Investors should be aware that such projections and forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties (many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Imerys) that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied.

Analyst/Investor Relations:

Cyrille Arhanchiague : +33 (0)6 07 16 67 26 
finance@imerys.com 
 

Press contacts:
Mathieu Gratiot : +33 (0)7 87 53 46 60
Hugues Schmitt (Primatice) : + 33 (0)6 71 99 74 58
Olivier Labesse (Primatice) : + 33 (0)6 79 11 49 71