The global industrial minerals industry continued its recovery in Q2 2010 as key end markets rebuilt inventories after the downturn of late-2008 and 2009.
This recovery was reflected in the financial results of miners across the globe, which reported a rebound in profits from last year, albeit in many cases, falling short of levels seen before the recession.
With the economic outlook still uncertain and many customers at the end of restocking periods, few industry leaders are optimistic about a full-blown recovery.
With such a diverse portfolio, France’s
Imerys SA, can be used as a good indicator for the industry as a whole. The Paris-based group
reported an 88% increase in current operating income to €123.2m. ($158m.), while sales rose 28% to €871.4m.
Imerys’s ceramics, refractories, abrasives and foundry minerals division saw the biggest improvement, with sales rising 54% driven by recovering demand primarily...