Polish chemical group Qemetica has entered into an agreement with American company PPG to acquire its silicas products business for around PLN 1.2 billion (USD 310 million) in line with the company’s broader growth strategy for 2024-2029. 

As part of the deal, Qemetica will acquire certain assets and an operating subsidiary of PPG, which includes two factories (in the US and the Netherlands) and the right to conduct manufacturing and R&D activities in two additional US locations. The transaction is expected to finalise in the fourth quarter of 2024 after the customary closing conditions are met. BNP Paribas, Bain & Company, Greenberg Traurig, as well as KPMG, Gide, ERM and AON supported Qemetica in the preparation and execution of this transaction.

"In preparing for growth through acquisition, we defined the criteria for entering into discussions with potential sellers. We were looking for a business in which we could add value, invest and grow, based in the US, with a 100 percent or controlling stake, extending our value chain. This transaction, meeting all the mentioned criteria, means that after finalising and fully integrating the new business, we will be closer to achieving our strategic goals: to develop sources of growth other than soda ash, to achieve geographic and product diversification and to significantly expand our global footprint with revenues from new markets," said Kamil Majczak, CEO of Qemetica.

With this new acquisition, Qemetica, which already operates in seven business areas, namely production of soda ash, evaporated salt, agricultural solutions, polyurethane foams, silicates and glass, as well as rail transport services, will add one more business to its portfolio, the production and sale of precipitated silica, which is an essential raw material for the production of green tyres, batteries and fillers. Apart from increasing Qemetica group's revenue and EBITDA, the new business will also diversify the group's product range and geographical operations.

With nine production plants in Poland and Germany and distribution companies in the crop protection business in several European countries, Qemetica employs around 3,500 people. The new business will add 400 more staff to its workforce.

"Incorporating the acquired entity will allow us to diversify our product range and expand into new geographic markets. It will also be a step towards a more even distribution of revenue and profit sources within the Group. The precipitated silica business will become the second largest, and the share of revenue generated in North America will exceed 10 percent, while the share of revenue from Poland will drop below 40 percent. This is an important step in building a global chemical group with Polish roots," said Marcin Puziak, CFO of Qemetica.

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The German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) has sounded an alarm over an exceptionally difficult economic situation facing the rubber sector. Soaring raw material prices and persistently high energy costs, exacerbated by the Iran war, are coinciding with weak industrial demand. wdk Chief economist Michael Berthel noted an almost unprecedented economic disparity, as raw material costs approach historical highs from 2011 and 2022 while a lack of demand prevents any offset for manufacturers.

Since the final quarter of 2025, prices for key inputs have risen sharply. Natural rubber has jumped more than 40 percent within months, while butadiene-based synthetic rubbers have increased over 30 percent. EPDM synthetic rubber, carbon black and oil-based plasticisers have all risen more than 20 percent, with some individual chemicals exceeding 40 percent cost growth in just a few weeks.

Energy prices remain a major burden, with Middle East developments fuelling market uncertainty. Risks to international transport and supply chains persist, and German rubber companies are closely watching potential impacts on raw material availability and global logistics flows.

Berthel warned that firms face mounting pressure from high costs, geopolitical instability and structural disadvantages in Germany, with no short-term relief in sight. The industry depends heavily on fair and reliable partnerships across the value chain, as processing companies alone cannot absorb the current strain. He called for fair solutions and a shared understanding of this exceptional situation.

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The Rubber Board of India has confirmed the continuation of all existing central sector schemes for the 2026-27 fiscal year at unchanged rates. Financial aid for new planting will be restricted to estates utilising poly bag or root trainer plants sourced solely from Board-approved nurseries, with applicants required to submit the original purchase bill. This mandatory verification step aims to ensure quality and authenticity of planting materials used across the sector.

Support for rain guarding and spraying operations will be channelled exclusively through Rubber Producers’ Societies. These societies must include GST bills for all acquired materials when applying. The official timeline for submitting applications will be announced separately by the Board, giving producers adequate time to prepare documentation and coordinate with their respective societies before the deadline.

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The Rubber Board of India has announced a temporary engagement for a young professional within its Market Promotion Division, located at the RRII campus in Puthuppally, Kottayam. The selected individual will assist with division activities and promote ‘mRube’, the electronic trading platform for natural rubber.

Candidates must hold an MBA in Marketing or Agri Business Management with computer knowledge, while skills in digital marketing, sales or market research and proficiency in English and Hindi are preferred. Applicants aged up to 30 years as of 1 May 2026, will be considered for the one-year role, which offers a consolidated monthly pay of INR 25,000.

Interested individuals should send their applications to the Deputy Director (Marketing) at the Central Laboratory Building, RRII, Rubber Board PO, Kottayam – 686009 by 19 May 2026. Shortlisted names will appear on the Rubber Board’s website with interview details, as no separate communication will be sent.

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Bekaert has officially finalised its acquisition of Bridgestone’s tyre reinforcement operations in China and Thailand, after securing all necessary regulatory approvals and meeting standard closing conditions. The deal, now fully completed, marks a significant step in the Belgian company’s expansion strategy.

The transaction brings under Bekaert’s control two production facilities: Bridgestone (Shenyang) Steel Cord Co., Ltd. in China and Bridgestone Metalfa (Thailand) Co., Ltd. in Thailand. These plants specialise in manufacturing high-quality tyre cord products exclusively for Bridgestone tyres, and they will continue to supply Bridgestone under the new ownership, further deepening the longstanding partnership between the two firms.

Financially, the acquisition is expected to add roughly EUR 80 million to Bekaert’s annual consolidated sales. The EUR 60 million cash consideration for the deal was funded from the company’s available cash reserves.

Curd Vandekerckhove, CEO Rubber Reinforcement, said, “With the completion of this acquisition within our Rubber Reinforcement division, we are pleased to officially welcome the plant teams in China and Thailand to Bekaert. Our immediate focus is on a smooth transition and operational continuity while continuing to serve Bridgestone as a key strategic partner. The completion of the acquisition further strengthens the position of Bekaert in the tyre cord market, expands the global manufacturing footprint and deepens our longstanding partnership with Bridgestone. A long-term supply agreement ensures continued delivery of high-quality tyre reinforcement within a trusted supplier model.”

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