PPG to sell silicas products business to Qemetica for $310M

PPG announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to sell its silicas products business for approximately $310M in pre-tax proceeds to Qemetica, a Warsaw, Poland-based, privately held manufacturer of soda ash, silicates and other specialty chemicals. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter, subject to customary closing conditions. The transaction is the result of PPG‘s evaluation of strategic alternatives for the business, which was first announced on January 9. PPG’s silicas products business manufactures and supplies precipitated silica products to companies around the world as performance-enhancing additives. In 2023, the silica products business represented between 1%-2% of PPG’s total net sales. The transaction includes PPG’s precipitated silicas manufacturing facilities in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Delfzijl, The Netherlands. In addition, Qemetica will lease silicas manufacturing and research and development operations at PPG sites in Barberton, Ohio and Monroeville, Pennsylvania, respectively. The silicas products business is led by about 400 employees.