IMERYS to Raise Prices on North American Performance Mineral Kaolin Grades

    ATLANTA--March 28, 2003--Imerys announces a price increase on North American Performance Mineral kaolin grades.
    The price increase is effective April 15, 2003.
    "Imerys is committed to improving our efficiencies to maintain cost competitive products and services. Unfortunately, dramatic increases in labor, benefits, insurance and other costs have outpaced these efforts", commented Daniel J. Moncino, Vice-President and General Manager of Imerys' North American Performance Minerals Division.
    IMERYS is the world's leading producer of white industrial pigments. The Performance Minerals Division's portfolio of calcium carbonate and kaolin products are used in a wide variety of industrial applications such as paints, plastics, rubber, ceramics, adhesives, caulks, sealants, polymers and pharmaceutical.