Aug 29 (Reuters) - PPG Industries ( PPG ) will sell its

silica products business to Polish chemical company QEMETICA for

$310 million, the paints and coatings maker said on Thursday.

The company had said in January it was exploring strategic

alternatives for its silica business, which represented between

1% and 2% of its total net sales in 2023.

"This transaction will allow us to further focus our

resources on our technology-differentiated coatings and

specialty products businesses to accelerate our organic growth,"

PPG CEO Tim Knavish said.

QEMETICA, a privately held manufacturer of soda ash,

silicates and other specialty chemicals, would also lease PPG's

silica manufacturing sites in Barberton, Ohio, and research and

development operations in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.

PPG's silica unit has around 400 employees and manufactures

products through facilities in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and

Delfzijl in the Netherlands.

The unit's sale is expected to close in the fourth quarter

of 2024.