Beyond Producer-Supplier
Imerys joint venture to produce GCC on-site at
their mill in Bhigwan is significant in that we are
partners with the leading fine paper producer of
India. India's paper segment is growing rapidly,
and we intend to be a key player in this
development, both with carbonates and kaolins."
position of sixth supplier of pigments to first.
Srikant Palakurthi, Market Manager for Imerys
India, "We built the relationship by helping
them change and adapt formulations. Our ideas
worked for them, and together we pushed their
quality and productivity. Then, the big decision
came for both of us considering a joint venture
to produce carbonate (GCC) grades on site
which we launched in 2004."
calcium carbonate) at Bhigwan, adjacent to
the mill, supplies minerals for filler and coating
grades for the 115,000 tpy of coated and
uncoated papers. The facility will expand
dramatically as the mill nearly doubles its
output over the next several years. Imerys is
closely aligned with BILT's brand building efforts.
binders, new formulations, and are also working
with Dow and BASF in latex. The relationship was
initially driven by the idea that local production of
GCC would be much cheaper than imported clay."
according to mill management, is the reduction
in defects, and increasing output. They have
also lowered consumption of latex, co-binders
and optical brightening agents. Coating blade
damage is also reduced. Another benefit has
been the increase in carbonate content in
relation to fibre.
efforts in statistical process control, particle
size distribution, and brightness; so they can
do even better.
Imerys bought Banpu's stake in Yen Bai Banpu
Calcium Carbonate Limited (YBB) in the fall
of 2005.
Limited (YBB) was a joint venture between
Yen Bai Mineral Company Limited under the
administration of Yen Bai People's Committee
(Vietnam) and Banpu Public Company Limited
(Thailand). Established in 1997, their mission
from the beginning was to mine pure marble
stone from the Mongson deposit. From the
beginning, they offered a premium GCC
product range to customers throughout
Vietnam and overseas, particularly in the
paper, plastics, toothpaste and paint industries.
All products produced from this mine are
considered food grade products.
utilising a high bright, chemically pure marble,
which is sought after by a wide range of
industries today. In addition, we are bringing
global expertise to further enhance the output."
having one of the purest and whitest marble
qualities in Asia. It's location in the Yen Binh
District, Yen Bai Province, S.R. of Vietnam
approximately 170 km and 300 km northwest
of Hanoi and Hai Phong Seaport respectively.
both regional multinationals and global
enterprises to bring value to their operations
by supplying pigments that meet their quality,
value-added and cost reduction requirements.
there is a new paper machine or project in Asia,
Imerys is discussing the opportunity to serve our
customers for those projects. Wherever multi-
pigments can add value across the wide array of
grades, Imerys will be there."