Pittsburgh-based PPG recently completed the sale of its silicas products business to Poland-based QEMETICA, a soda ash, silicates and other specialty chemicals manufacturer, for approximately $310 million in pre-tax proceeds. The business manufactures and supplies precipitated silica products as performance-enhancing additives.
“We are pleased to complete this transaction with QEMETICA, and I want to thank the silicas products business employees for their dedication and commitment to the business and to PPG customers throughout the years,” Tim Knavish, PPG chairman and CEO, said.
The sale includes PPG’s precipitated silicas manufacturing facilities in Lake Charles, La., and Delfzijl, The Netherlands. QEMETICA will lease research and development operations at PPG’s Monroeville, Pa., site and silicas manufacturing at PPG’s Barberton, Ohio, site.
The silicas products business employed approximately 400 employees and represented between 1 percent and 2 percent of PPG’s total net sales in 2023.
PPG announced in January it was seeking evaluation of strategic alternatives for the business.
QEMETICA is one of Europe’s largest chemical manufacturers. The purchase is part of the company’s growth strategy to make strategic acquisitions and expand its operations outside Europe to build a global presence, diversify its portfolio and enter new markets.
PPG operates in more than 70 countries.