US Silica is to turn a plant owned by Carbo Ceramics in Milen, Georgia, into manufacturing facility as part of a $23 million deal. The new plant will be used to make high-end products for US Silica's industrial and specialties products business.
A report by The Chron says Carbo Ceramics' plant is currently being used to make ceramics proppants for the hydraulic fracturing process.
Bryan Shinn, US Silica president and CEO, says: “Adding this new capability will accelerate new product launches, improve product quality and facilitate important product customisations required by our industrial customers.”
Gary Kolstad, Carbo Ceramics CEO, said that $21 million in proceeds from the transaction will be used to pay down the company's debt.
US Silica expects to begin full production at the Georgia plant in the second half of 2019.
