(Reuters) -Albemarle said on Monday it will sell a 51% stake in its refining catalyst solutions business, Ketjen, to private equity firm KPS Capital Partners, and divest its 50% interest in the Eurecat joint venture to France's Axens SA, in deals worth about $660 million.

Albemarle, one of the world's largest lithium producers, said it would use the proceeds for debt reduction and general corporate purposes as part of its efforts to boost financial flexibility and refocus on its core lithium and bromine units.

The transactions are expected to close in the first half of 2026.