Imerys : First Transat Jacques Vabre for Imerys, with a CO2 free emission boat

PRESS RELEASE

PARIS, NOVEMBER 06, 2017

The Imerys Clean Energy Class40 boat and its two skippers Phil Sharp (who won the Class40 European Trophy this year) and co-skipper Pablo Santurde, have just started this 4,350 mile (8,056 km) double-handed race to Brazil, which follows the coffee route from Le Havre to Salvador de Bahia.

This innovative boat comes as part of the Energy Challenge, a project developing a clean and autonomous energy system for the sailing sector. The project is unique as it relies only on renewable energy to power the on board equipment (for navigation, autopilot, communication, desalination).

Imerys committed to the Energy Challenge in 2016 and will be a partner of the project for the three coming years. The Group brings its material sciences expertise contributing to the development of lithium-ion batteries to store the green energy produced on board. Imerys has also provided minerals for a non-slip coating to cover the solar cells of the Class40 allowing Phil and his crew to move around on deck safely and with confidence at sea.

Gilles Michel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer comments: "Imerys is proud to take part in this human and technological adventure and to contribute to the development of future clean energy systems. We are pleased to support Phil Sharp and Pablo Santurde for the Transat Jacques Vabre".

Phil Sharp, Imerys Clean Energy Class40 skipper, adds: "Imerys is the ideal partner for Energy Challenge. Its technology and expertise are crucial to the boat performance. The success of our partnership is fuelled by our common passion for state-of-the-art technology, innovation and performance".

About Imerys: the world leader in mineral-based specialty solutions for industry, with €4.2 billion revenue and close to 18,500 employees, Imerys delivers high value-added, functional solutions to a great number of 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 resources 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

www.imerys.com

About Energy Challenge: Led by Imerys skipper Phil Sharp, the Energy Challenge is an Ocean Racing project centered on energy efficiency. The project focuses on demonstrating the performance advantages of clean technologies(currently PV solar and a back-up hydrogenerator) by winning ocean races on zero CO2.

www.philsharpracing.com

Contacts Presse :

Imerys - Anne Fauconnier : + 33 (0)1 49 55 64 20 // +33 (0)6 08 95 36 93

Energy Challenge - Rebecca Linder: FR: +33 (0) 782 99 55 34 // UK: +44 (0) 7 797 780 451