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As part of a portfolio restructuring, the German corporation BASF has entered into a binding agreement to transfer its entire silicate business to the global firm PQ.
The corporate transaction includes the industrial infrastructure and operational assets located at the Düsseldorf/Holthausen site. According to the entity’s official forecasts, the transfer process will effectively conclude during the second half of 2026, once the corresponding approvals from the relevant regulatory bodies are obtained.
The transfer of silicate production and infrastructure
Firstly, it should be noted that both multinational organizations have jointly decided to keep the financial details of this asset disposal strictly confidential. Through this move, PQ will assume direct management of sodium silicate manufacturing, ensuring an uninterrupted supply for the plant’s customer base. To this end, the American manufacturer plans to continue current industrial processes and expand the production capacities of the German facility in the medium term.
Furthermore, the management of BASF’s Care Chemicals division explained that this divestment is a response to a rigorous evaluation of its competitiveness in the European market. Institutional spokespersons highlighted that PQ represents an ideal industrial partner due to its extensive track record in the sector. Likewise, the physical proximity that the German corporation will maintain in the area will facilitate the development of a very close technical and operational collaboration scheme between both companies.
From the perspective of the acquiring entity, the incorporation of this infrastructure represents a key geographical optimization to consolidate its distribution infrastructure in Central Europe. PQ executives stated that the qualified technical personnel in Düsseldorf and the long-term supply contracts with major industrial customers will serve as an ideal platform to accelerate the company’s organic growth. The purchasing firm currently has a global workforce of 1,400 employees distributed across 30 manufacturing centers located in 15 countries.
Consequently, the global supply of these chemical raw materials will continue to supply strategic industrial sectors on an international scale. These inorganic compounds are indispensable for the production of eco-friendly tires, paints, and household cleaning products. Finally, the operational management of both parties confirmed that daily tasks will not undergo immediate modifications to ensure an orderly transition.
Source and photo: BASF