BASF Transfers Silicates Operations to PQ Under New Agreement

BASF and PQ have signed an agreement under which PQ will acquire BASF’s silicates business, including the related assets at the Düsseldorf/Holthausen site. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

As part of the agreement, PQ will take over BASF’s sodium silicates business and associated operations at the Düsseldorf/Holthausen facility. PQ plans to continue operating and further develop the business, ensuring continuity of supply and service for customers and business partners.

Silicates are widely used in various industrial and consumer applications, including paints and coatings, rubber and green tires, geotechnical solutions, laundry detergents, and cleaning products. PQ is a global supplier of silicates, silicas, and related products.

Until the transaction is completed, BASF’s silicates business will continue to operate as usual. Both companies expect a smooth transition process with minimal disruption to customers and partners.

“The sale of the silicates business is the result of a thorough strategic assessment within the Care Chemicals division,” said Jordi Tormo Blasco, Vice President Business Management Industrial Formulators Europe at BASF. “With PQ, we have found a buyer with extensive experience in silicate production who can offer the business a sustainable long-term perspective. From the outset, it was important for us to identify a robust solution for the future of the business as well as a partner with whom we expect to continue close cooperation, given our continued presence at the Düsseldorf site.”

“BASF’s silicates business is an excellent strategic fit for our existing silicate network,” said Al Beninati, President and CEO of PQ. “The site’s central geographic location, highly skilled workforce, existing long-term partnerships with key customers and world-class facility provide an excellent foundation for further growth of the business. This acquisition will further enable PQ to serve our global customers with reliable quality and cost-effective solutions.”

Source: BASF