Imerys strengthens its North American footprint across refractory, abrasives and construction with Great Lakes Minerals acquisition

2026-06-03

Jun. 1, 2026 - Imerys has completed the acquisition of Great Lakes Minerals (GLM), a U.S.-based processor of specialty minerals serving the refractory and abrasives industry, strengthening its presence and mineral solutions offering in North America.

Located on the Ohio River, the plant benefits from advanced barge-to-plant feedstock handling capabilities, supporting efficient raw material sourcing and distribution across North America.

Founded in 1999 and based in Wurtland, Kentucky, Great Lakes Minerals has built recognized expertise in the sourcing, processing and distribution of refractory minerals. Now operating as Imerys Great Lakes, the business expands Imerys’ capabilities in a strategic market and supports the Group’s growth ambitions in Refractory, Abrasives & Construction solutions for industry.

Through this acquisition, Imerys expands its portfolio with complementary mineral solutions serving highly demanding refractory, abrasives, and construction applications, particularly:

Calcined bauxite: a high-performance mineral valued for its alumina content, density, and durability in high-temperature environments, critical for refractory linings and heavy-duty industrial construction surfaces.

Brown fused alumina: recognized for its hardness and thermal performance in refractory products and high-grade abrasive applications like blasting media, bonded and coated abrasives.

Tabular alumina: a high-purity sintered alumina that offers excellent thermal shock resistance, mechanical strength, and wear resistance for high-end refractory and technical ceramic applications.

White fused alumina: renowned for its hardness, high chemical stability, and high melting point, making it ideal for premium abrasives, high-temperature refractories, and wear-resistant applications.

These additions complement established Imerys product lines, including MULCOA®, TECO-SIL® and ALODUR®, broadening the Group’s ability to support customers with a wider range of mineral solutions tailored to their needs.

The acquisition also enhances Imerys’ local processing and warehousing capabilities in North America, supporting improved responsiveness, security of supply and additional value-added services for customers.

"The acquisition is a unique opportunity which reinforces our ability to provide our North American partners with unmatched operational flexibility, custom-processing services, and robust security of supply. It perfectly aligns with our commitment to support our local industrial partners as manufacturing continues to grow in the region", said Philippe Bourg, Senior Vice President Refractory, Abrasives & Construction, Imerys.

By combining Great Lakes Minerals’ expertise with Imerys’ global minerals portfolio and technical know-how, Imerys is further strengthening its ability to support customers in high-temperature, high-wear, and construction industries with a reliable local supply and innovative, mineral-based solutions.