Sibelco acquires Strategic Materials

Sibelco, a company that mines, processes and sells industrial minerals such as silica, clays, feldspathics and olivine, has completed its purchase of glass recycler Strategic Materials Inc. (SMI), headquartered in Houston. Sibelco, which is based in Antwerp, Belgium, and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022, expanded into glass recycling in Europe in the 2000s. The company processes 3 million metric tons of cullet annually at its 24 recycling plants in Belgium, Estonia, France, Italy, Poland, and the U.K. With the acquisition of SMI, Sibelco says it positions itself as a key global player in glass recycling. SMI, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December of last year, operates 42 sites across North America, processing around 2 million metric tons of cullet annually. SMI has approximately 800 full-time employees, excluding temporary and contractor workers, at sites in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Its products are used across a range of markets, including container glass, fiberglass insulation, reflective materials, fillers and abrasives. “We are delighted to have completed this acquisition,” Sibelco CEO Hilmar Rode says. “Not only will the integration of SMI enable us to extend our leadership in glass recycling outside Europe, it will also expand Sibelco’s offering in North America beyond our existing high-purity quartz business, thereby building a resilient mineral platform at scale.” Chris Dods, SMI president and CEO, says, “Sibelco understands our business and shares our passion about the key role of glass recycling in a circular economy. The two companies’ combined expertise and resources will create a true market leader poised for further growth.”