VALLEY FORGE, Pa.; and ARNHEM, the Netherlands — PQ Corp. and Akzo Nobel N.V. have announced that PQ Corp. has acquired 100% of Akzo-PQ Silica (APS), PQ’s 50-50 joint venture with Akzo Nobel, which manufactures silicate and silica gel products in Europe. PQ also announced that the silicate and silica-related operations involved in this purchase will be known as PQ Europe. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Commenting on PQ’s move to purchase Akzo-PQ Silica, Michael R. Imbriani, executive vice president with responsibility for PQ’s global industrial chemical business, noted, “The silicate and silica gel operations of APS are core to PQ’s activities. Their purchase enhances the leading global position we have in a number of silicate and silica-related product areas. This acquisition is in the best long-term interests of the employees, the customers and the business.”