Attention Business Editors:

IMERYS to Raise Prices for Kaolin Products to the Paper Industry

    BRUSSELS, October 6 /CNW/ - IMERYS announces that the prices of selected
kaolin products for the global paper industry will increase effective from 1st
December 2006, or as contracts allow.

    Prices will increase by an average of US$15.00 per dry metric tonne for
Georgia hydrous kaolins, US$40.00 per dry metric tonne for calcined kaolins
and US$15.00 per dry metric tonne for Brazilian kaolins. An energy surcharge
programme based on the price of natural gas will remain in effect, as
contracts allow.

    Imerys has continued to improve productivity and manage its overall cost
base to provide cost-effective products and services to the paper industry.
Despite these efforts, the escalation of energy, chemical, mining,
transportation and other related costs have continued.

    These levels of price increase are necessary to enable Imerys to achieve
a sustainable kaolin business that meets the needs of the paper industry, both
today and in the future.

    ends

    6th October 2006

    Notes to editors:

    IMERYS Pigments for Paper is a world leading producer of white pigments,
manufacturing kaolin, ground calcium carbonate (GCC) and precipitated calcium
carbonate (PCC). The business group serves the needs of the international
paper industry and employs 3024 people, operates 45 industrial sites in 21
countries and represents 25% of Imerys' overall revenue.

For further information: IMERYS Pigments for Paper Global Marketing
Director Spencer Farmer, +44 0 776 664 1967 spencer.farmer@imerys.com