BASF signs agreement to sell silicates business, including assets in Düsseldorf, to PQ

• PQ extends its global silicate platform with the acquisition of BASF silicates business including assets in Düsseldorf
• Business and customer relationships set for long-term growth
• Closing of the transaction expected in H2 2026

Düsseldorf, May 20, 2026 – BASF and PQ have signed an agreement for the sale of BASF’s silicates business, including assets at the Düsseldorf/Holthausen site to PQ. Subject to customary closing conditions such as regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to be completed in H2 2026. The parties have agreed not to disclose the financial details of the transaction.

Under the terms of the agreement, PQ will acquire the sodium silicates business and the associated activities at BASF’s Düsseldorf/Holthausen site. PQ expects to continue and further develop the business under its ownership ensuring business continuity for customers and partners.

PQ is a supplier of silicates, silicas and derivative products, with worldwide reach. Silicates are versatile inorganic materials used in a wide range of everyday and industrial applications, including in the rubber and “Green Tire” industry, paints and coatings, geotechnical applications as well as laundry detergents and cleaning products.

“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.”

At this time, operations of BASF’s silicates business will remain unchanged and following the completion of the transaction, the companies expect a seamless transition for customers and partners.

About PQ
With headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania PQ is a leading global provider of silicates, silicas and derivative products. PQ’s products are found in a wide variety of industries and many aspects of everyday life, from decorative paints to green cement, from clean drinking water to green tires and from toothpaste to aiding in the production of biofuels and beer. Supported by 1,400 employees across 30 facilities in 15 countries, PQ serves more than 900 customers around the world. Through its global network of 30 facilities, PQ provides best-in-class product offerings that support a broad range of end uses including silica and chemical manufacturing; paints and coatings; purification, construction and drilling; and personal care, nutrition, and food and beverage.

About the Care Chemicals division at BASF
The BASF division Care Chemicals offers a broad range of ingredients for personal care, home care, industrial & institutional cleaning, and technical applications. We are a leading global supplier for the cosmetics industry as well as the detergents and cleaners industry, and support our customers with
innovative and sustainable products, solutions and concepts. The division’s high-performance product portfolio includes surfactants, emulsifiers, polymers, emollients, chelating agents, cosmetic active ingredients and UV filters. We have production and development sites in all regions and are expanding our presence in emerging markets. Further information is available online at www.care-chemicals.basf.com.

About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 108,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of around €60 billion in 2025. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.