 In 1998, Imetal took over "English China Clays plc", a major UK producer of white pigments (kaolin and calcium carbonates), and then changed its name to "Imerys".Following this acquisition, Imetal refocused its activity on minerals processing, selling its Metal Transformation business, including the North American companies Copperweld and Copperweld Canada (now Fushi Copperweld).To reflect this development, Imetal changed its name, giving birth to Imerys on 22 September 1999.