PPG announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to sell its silicas products business for approximately $310 million in pre-tax proceeds to QEMETICA S.A., 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 of 2024, 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, 2024. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC acted as PPG’s financial advisor and Hogan Lovells served as its legal advisor.
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.
In 2023, the silica products business represented between 1-2% of PPG’s total net sales.