J.M. Huber to buy Akzo-PQ silica business

EDISON, New Jersey (June 26)—J.M. Huber Corp. has signed a letter of intent to purchase the silica white fillers business of Akzo-PQ Silica, Huber announced. Akzo-PQ is a 50-50 joint venture between Netherland-based Akzo-Nobel and Pennsylvania-based PQ Corp. The purchase includes a Dren, Germany, plant, and two Netherland sites—a research facility in Maastricht and a management and sales office in Amersfoort. All 340 APS employees will be retained, according to J.M. Huber. The firm currently is undergoing discussions with employee representatives and regulatory agencies regarding the buyout, J.M. Huber said.