Imerys acquires Chemviron’s European diatomite and perlite assets, strengthening its offering for filtration and life sciences markets
Imerys has just acquired the European diatomite and perlite assets of Chemviron, a subsidiary of Calgon Carbon Corporation.
Imerys has announced the acquisition of Chemviron’s diatomite and perlite assets in France and Italy, following exclusive negotiations initiated in April 2024.
The acquisition includes three sites employing a total of 130 people: two diatomite deposits and processing plants located in Saint-Bauzile (Ardèche) and Riom-ès-Montagnes (Cantal), France, as well as a perlite processing plant in Foggia (Puglia), Italy.
This strategic move expands Imerys’ European footprint in diatomite and perlite, and enhances the company’s ability to serve its customers from the food, beverage, filtration, and pharmaceutical sectors. Notably, the acquisition will round out Imerys’ portfolio of advanced solutions, including high-permeability filtration aids tailored to sweetener, gelatin, and enzyme applications, as well as high-performance grades for beverage filtration.
This is a significant milestone in Imerys’ growth journey and represents a tremendous step forward in investing in the future. Through this acquisition, we are now poised to deliver greater value to our customers in Filtration and Life Sciences markets, while strengthening our market position and unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation.
In a major boost to Europe’s ambitions to decarbonize mobility, Imerys’ EMILI project has been awarded a €116 million grant from the European Union’s Innovation Fund.
Imerys Tableware France, located near Limoges, has recently celebrated its 240th anniversary. As one of Imerys’ oldest operations in Europe, this remarkable milestone not only reflects the business' deep-rooted history, it underscores the operation’s enduring commitment to its customers’ excellence, innovation and the local community.
On 22 April 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron visited Imerys' Beauvoir kaolin site in Échassières (Allier), dedicated to the EMILI lithium project. The visit was part of a broader government initiative to accelerate France's strategic industrial projects, notably marked by a cabinet meeting held in Montluçon.
Filtration plays a critical role in industries ranging from food and beverage to pharmaceuticals, water treatment, and advanced industrial applications. Yet, with many filter types and processes available, it can be challenging to determine which solution is best for a specific application.