French industrial minerals leader Imerys S.A. has announced an expansion of its andalusite production operations in South Africa, responding to rising global demand for this key refractory mineral.

Andalusite, a natural aluminosilicate prized for its exceptional heat resistance, is an essential raw material for the production of refractory bricks, castables, and monolithic linings used in high-temperature industries such as steelmaking, foundries, and cement production.

The new capacity builds upon Imerys’s existing mines in Brittany (France) and Northern and Eastern South Africa, where the company operates the world’s largest andalusite deposits.

According to industry sources, the expansion will enhance supply reliability and strengthen Imerys’s position as the global leader in andalusite-based refractories.