A proud history of innovation for over 200 years

1815

Joseph Crosfield and Sons in Warrington, England begin the manufacture of soaps and candles.

1815

1831

Joseph Elkinton’s Soap & Candle Manufactory, a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA founded by a Quaker entrepreneur

1831

1861

Elkinton’s began manufacturing sodium silicate or “waterglass”, which became a rosin replacement during the Civil War.

1861

1864

Joseph Elkinton’s Soap & Candle Manufactory renamed “The Philadelphia Quartz Company”.

1864

1927

Silica gel first manufactured. Used to adsorb water and making it a useful desiccant, or drying agent.

1927

1931

Sodium metasilicate first manufactured.

1931

1957

Precipitated silicas first manufactured. A key component used in rubber production for car tires, and plastics.

1957

1960

Gasil MSG, a silica gel, product established for use in paints and coatings.

1960

1978

Philadelphia Quartz renamed “PQ Corporation”.

1978

1997

Crosfield’s specialty chemicals division, then part of Unilever, was acquired by ICI.

1997

2001

Crosfield acquired by INEOS and renamed INEOS Silicas.

2001

2008

PQ merged with INEOS Silicas.

2008

2017

PQ IPOs on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and begins trading.

2017

2021

PQ’s Performance Chemicals business is acquired by Koch M&T and Cerberus Capital, retaining the PQ Corporation name and brand. PQ is now a private company.

2021