The soap works remained a successful family business for nearly 100 years, but in 1911 Brunner Mond and Co., a leading alkali manufacturer, purchased the company, and then in 1919 Lever Brothers, a well-known soap manufacturer, acquired Crosfield. In 1929 Lever Brothers merged with the Dutch Margarine Union to form Unilever, and Crosfield was to remain a subsiduary of Unilever until 1997.

Production of sodium silicate for use in soaps began in the second half of the 19th century, and in the early 20th century further chemical plants were built to combat the rising prices of raw materials. A staff of highly qualified scientists continued to achieve important developments in chemical production and the first silica gels were produced in the 1920s.

The company also continued to advance in its production of soap powders, including the well-known Persil brand until, in 1964, the whole of Crosfield’s soap operations were transferred to Lever Brothers and Crosfield became exclusively a chemicals business.

Crosfield continued to extend and develop its range of products based on its leading silica and alumina technology and is now a major force in silicas, silicates and zeolites.

The development of technology was accompanied by an intensive programme of geographical expansion, and today Crosfield has 8 manufacturing sites in 5 continents and is well positioned to service its growing regional and global customers.

The Unilever Speciality Chemicals companies, including Crosfield, were acquired by ICI in July 1997. In 2001, INEOS Capital purchased Crosfield and renamed the entire company, INEOS Silicas.

On 2nd July 2008 INEOS Silicas Ltd merged with PQ Corporation. The new company is 60% owned by the Carlyle Group and 40% by INEOS and will continue to be known as PQ Corporation. Both PQ, which was founded more than 175 years ago, and INEOS, whose roots go back to 1815, have long traditions of producing high quality products and providing top-flight service for our customers.