Main navigation BUSINESS GROUP FINANCE TALENT NEWS & STORIES MEDIA EN FR AUTOMOTIVE Innovative solutions for optimized cars CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS One of the most critical challenges facing auto manufacturers today is how to reduce the environmental impact of the vehicles they produce. And with autonomous cars on the not-so-distant horizon, ‘connected’ vehicle technology is gathering momentum. Imerys offers a full range of minerals to serve the automotive industry and help manufacturer’s meet todays’ environmental and technological challenges. Talc, wollastonite and kaolin help produce leaner, lighter, stiffer plastic bumpers and engine covers as well as lighter tires with reduced rolling resistance, contributing to reducing overall vehicle weight and fuel consumption. Carbon black and synthetic graphite boost the performance of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles as well as advanced lead batteries used for stop and start systems, and carbon black improves conductivity in onboard data systems. Kaolin and talc are key ingredients in honeycomb ceramic cordierites used in gasoline and diesel exhaust systems. Graphite can replace copper in brake pads. High-absorbent diatomite reduces volatile organic compounds in car interiors. Calcium carbonate increases the durability of sealants and improves the ride through noise reduction. Kaolin is valuable in electro-deposition automotive paints and talc improves corrosion resistance. We have over 100 years’ of combined mineral expertise at our fingertips and many of our experts come from the markets we serve. Harnessing our extensive portfolio of minerals, our Science & Technology teams match exactly the right mineral to the end requirement then develop the formulation hand-in-hand with our customers. And with wholly owned, world-class mineral reserves across five continents, we can guarantee the availability of high-quality, ethically produced and sourced mineral products around the globe well into the future. Lighter vehicles Cleaner vehicles Smarter vehicles Learn more about our mineral solutions for automotive PLASTICS & RUBBER Weight reduction is one of the key drivers for decreasing carbon emissions in cars. This will remain the case in the longer term in order to counterbalance the heavier batteries in electric vehicles and additional new technologies such as sensors and radars. Reinforced polymers will play a significant role in this. Sonia Achard RENAULT–NISSAN, UPSTREAM STRATEGY LEADER AND BODY PLASTICS EXPERT KEY FIGURES 30 minerals in an average car 70% of a vehicle is expected to be made up of lightweight materials by 2030 5% reduction in plastic density with HAR® high aspect ratio talcs RELATED APPLICATIONS ABRASIVES MOBILE ENERGY CERAMICS PLASTICS & RUBBER FOUNDRY THE MINERALS IN OUR CARS 1. Talc, wollastonite, treated kaolin and mica reinforce new and recycled plastics. 2. Honeycomb ceramic cordierite parts (containing kaolin and talc) are used in catalytic converters and particle filters and diatomite in gearboxes. 3. Mica is used in metallic paints, sound dampening and in cooling fans and intake manifolds. 4. Kaolin and talc strengthen tires and improve impermeability. 5. Graphite and carbon black are used in lithium-ion batteries for their exceptional conductivity. 6. Diatomite, graphite and zirconia are used in disk brake pads. 7. Carbon black optimizes plastic or rubber parts such as windshield wipers. 8. Carbonates are used in sealants for underbody coating and seam sealing to protect against the elements. 9. Kaolin improves the durability of rubbers used in weatherstrip around the windshield and doors Get more information and advice from our team of experts. CONTACT US IRON & STEEL Innovative solutions along the whole value chain INDUSTRY Exceeding industrial needs with sustainable solutions CONTACT GROUP FINANCE TALENT MEDIA Follow us © Imerys 2021 Cookies Policy Personal Data Legal Terms WE USE COOKIES Our website uses cookies to allow for a personalized experience on our website and improve your user experience. For more information about our cookies please read our Cookie preferences. Mandatory Cookies These cookies are essential to enable you to navigate our website and use its features. These cookies are session-specific and expire after your visit to the website. Performance Cookies These cookies allow us to improve the user experience & performance of our site for our visitors, by measuring website usage statistics such as visits, top pages, and traffic. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Accept all Save my preferences