Imerys inaugurates new ceramics laboratory in Egypt

A centre of excellence for R&D and technical support across the EMEA region.

On 4 February, Imerys officially inaugurated Imerys Technologies Egypt, a state-of-the-art ceramics laboratory located at the company’s facility in 10th of Ramadan City, one of the country’s primary ceramic production hubs. Spanning 220 square metres and equipped with the latest technology, the facility will serve as Imerys’ technical support hub for the ceramic industry across the Middle East, Africa and Europe (EMEA), focusing on the development of next-generation formulations.

“The new cutting-edge facility leverages the global expertise Imerys has built within the ceramic sector, significantly strengthening our footprint in the Middle East and Africa,” said Danilo Frulli, Vice President Ceramics EMEA, during the opening ceremony. “The laboratory will enhance our capabilities across the ceramic, sanitaryware and tableware sectors, while capitalising on the region’s significant growth potential.”

Drawing on Imerys’s extensive experience in the sanitaryware sector, the laboratory will offer a wide range of advanced services, including comprehensive body testing, slip casting evaluations and crack-resistance analysis.

In the tile sector, research and development activities will focus on advancing ceramic body, glaze and engobe technologies. Services will include full porcelain tile body and engobe analysis, new product validation and specialist consultancy to boost manufacturing efficiency and product quality. By harnessing the specialist expertise of Imerys’ tableware operations in France and Germany, the new laboratory will also support regional tableware manufacturers with on-site assistance, raw material assessment and process optimisation to ensure high-end finished products.

Founded in 2012, Imerys Ceramics Egypt specialises in the supply of ball clay, kaolin, chamotte and feldspar. These high-quality products are derived from both local minerals and imported raw materials, each tailored to meet the specific requirements of individual production environments.