PRICE INCREASES

World Minerals Announces Price Increases for Filtration and Functional Filler Products

November 4, 2008

Santa Barbara, California

World Minerals Inc. will raise prices on all products effective January 1, 2009 due to the high inflation in variable costs. The price increases will affect all diatomite, perlite and silicate products, as contracts allow. The energy surcharge will also remain in effect.

World Minerals Inc., an industrial minerals company and a world leader in the manufacturing of high quality filter aids and functional mineral additives, is headquartered in the United States with operations in North and South America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

World Minerals Inc, a member of Imerys, is the world’s leading supplier of diatomite products and expanded perlite products for filtration. During more than 100 years in business, they have developed products that maximize the performance of filter aids and functional additives in terms of cost efficiency, quality and versatility. The products have many applications in everyday life, including beverage filtration, paint, plastic, construction and personal care.

Imerys, the world leader in adding value to minerals, is active in 47 countries through over 260 industrial and commercial sites. Imerys mines and processes minerals from reserves with rare qualities in order to develop solutions that improve its customers’ product performance and manufacturing efficiency. The Group’s products have many applications in everyday life, including construction, personal care, paper, paint, plastic, ceramics, telecommunications and beverage filtration.