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.