KIEV, Aug. 1 – The Imerys Group of France, the world's largest mineral processing company, late in July 2007 increased its stake in the Vatutinsky refractory materials factory in Cherkasy region, to 86%, up from 26%.

"A specialist in low and medium alumina content chamottes (calcined clay), for refractory sectors, Vatutinsky [factory] serves mainly the Eastern European markets (including Ukraine and Russia). The operation strengthens the group's chamottes production base, with existing facilities in the United States (C-E Minerals) and France (AGS)," the group reported on Wednesday.