Half Year 2023 Imerys SA Earnings Call Transcript

The following is excerpted from the question-and-answer section of the transcript.

Question: Aron Ceccarelli - Joh. Berenberg, Gossler & Co. KG, Research Division - Analyst : I have one on your guidance. Maybe can you explain, if I take the midpoint of your EUR 630 million to EUR 650 million, that implies that the second half should be down 10% year-over-year. It was down 3% in Q1, and now it was down 18% in Q2. Maybe can you help me understand a little bit what are your assumptions for the second half of the year in terms of cost probably and not surprising. The second one is on synthetic graphite and carbon black. As we know, you're investing big time here. I would like to understand a little bit if there's any capacity presold at this time in synthetic graphite and carbon black. Anything you can disclose would be helpful. And the last one is on working capital. It's nice to see some working capital release now. It would be great to have some color how you think about that going forward for the remainder of the year.

Question: Mourad Lahmidi - BNP Paribas Exane, Research Division - Analyst : Yes. Most of my questions have been answered, but I have one left. In 2022, I think that the paper-related businesses accounted for 9% of your sales. Has this share remained stable in H1? Or was there any big difference compared to that?

Question: Mourad Lahmidi - BNP Paribas Exane, Research Division - Analyst : And if we had to take out the EBITDA contribution of paper from your guidance of EUR 630 million, EUR 650 million, what would be this guidance?