A Proper Concern

A History of PQ Corporation

PQ Corporation traces its beginnings to a family soap and candle business opened
in Philadelphia by Joseph Elkinton in 1831. The original company began producing and selling "silicate of soda" (sodium silicate) in 1861 as a builder to replace rosin in soap formulations.

Sodium silicate was made then as now by fusing sand and sodium carbonate in a high temperature furnace. Markets for sodium silicate soon expanded beyond soap-making into corrugated paperboard, textile processing and construction products. Today, silicates are used in a diverse portfolio of applications. They are used in the manufacture of high-end fluidized catalytic cracking catalysts, complex silica gels for removal of impurities from foods and beverages and as a base for the manufacture of precipitated silica for tires, toothpaste and tennis shoes. The environmentally friendly nature of silicate makes it the perfect solution for on and off shore drilling fluid applications as well as for treatment of our municipal water sources. There is no doubt that the applications for this versatile product will continue to expand in the future.

In the twentieth century, PQ has grown both by development of new products derived from its soluble silicates and by joint ventures and acquisitions. PQ is the undisputed leader in silicate technology. Through its research and development efforts, PQ has introduced novel products, including silica gels, silica catalysts, hollow microspheres, synthetic zeolites, zeolite catalysts, and other silica derivatives. Today it markets more than 40 distinct, silica-based chemical and performance product lines.

In 1977, PQ acquired Potters Industries, a leading producer of engineered glass materials. Potters’ end use markets include: Highway safety marking spheres for dry and wet night pavement marking retro-reflectivity; silver-coated glass spheres and particles for use in EMI shielding applications; solid glass beads for cleaning, finishing and strengthening of metals; solid glass spheres for use as additives in plastics and paints; solid glass beads for metal plating and chemical processing; hollow glass spheres for use in mining explosives and as weight reduction in polymers.

Magnesium sulfate, or epsom salt, was added to the product line in 1987. PQ's Epsom salt is an analgesic soak and a key ingredient in many luxury bath products. Manufactured in the U.S. and Canada, magnesium sulfate is used in numerous industrial applications, such as in the delignification and bleaching of woodpulp for paper, adhesives, textile finishing and in detergent formulations. Magnesium sulfate is also a key component in livestock feeds and commercial fertilizers.

Worldwide, PQ and our affiliated companies operate 57 chemical and glass-bead facilities in 19 countries on five continents-North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Altogether, PQ operations employ 1600 people worldwide. PQ’s corporate headquarters are in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The sales of PQ and our affiliated companies exceed $500 million annually.

The company changed its name from Philadelphia Quartz Company to PQ Corporation in 1978. PQ’s goal moving forward in the new century remains the same as it was in 1831… to provide the best solutions available for its customers.