We are pleased to announce that with effect of 1 November 2009 Sibelco Deutschland acquires the ceramic business activities of company Keraton with their Eastern German clay quarry Sallgast located in Brandenburg. The Sallgast deposit consists of 96,5 ha providing around 1m tonnes of Sallgast A premium quality, next to additional clay qualities.

The Sallgast clays belong to the famous German ball clay family called “Lausitzer Flaschentone” and due to their high plasticity they ideally complement the minerals portfolio of Kaolin- und Tonwerke Seilitz-Löthain. The clays are mainly used for ceramic applications such as tiles, facing bricks, backing bricks and pipes.

The acquisition encompasses 4 blue-collar employees as well as mobile plant, and the new operation will be managed by Ingrid Seiler, Managing Director of Kaolin- und Tonwerke Seilitz-Löthain.

This project will strengthen our position in East Germany. Due to its strategic location it fully supports our aim to further develop business in Poland. As it enlarges our technical possibilities in combination with existing raw kaolins at Seilitz, also re-vitalisation of Italian business will be enabled.