Deals
Imerys Considers Sale of Talc Business Linked to J&J Lawsuit
- Buyer would have to bet industrial uses outweigh injury claims
- Company faces more than 14,000 claims tied to cancer
Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder sits on a shelf at a store in California on Oct. 18.
Photographer: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Imerys SA is exploring options for its North American talc operations, which filed for bankruptcy after being drawn into cancer lawsuits connected to Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder, people with knowledge of the matter said.
The company is considering strategic alternatives that could include a sale of the businesses, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing the private matter. Paris-based Imerys’ U.S. unit, Imerys Talc America, plans to work with advisers at PJT Partners Inc., though a formal mandate will require court approval, the people said.