W. R. Grace and Company
Grace is a United States-based specialty chemicals and materials company serving refining, petrochemical, polymer, coatings, consumer-product, and chemical-processing markets.
Last updated October 16, 2026
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Overview
Grace is an American specialty chemicals and materials company headquartered in Columbia, Maryland. Its modern business is centered on technologies that improve chemical production and the performance of formulated products. The company operates principally through Performance Catalyst Solutions and Material Technologies. Performance Catalyst Solutions supplies catalysts and related process technologies for petroleum refining, polyolefin production, and other chemical manufacturing activities. Material Technologies produces silica and silica-alumina materials used in coatings, paints, toothpaste, chemical processing, and other industrial and consumer applications. The company also provides fine chemical manufacturing services. Grace has roots that reach back to 1854, when Irish immigrant William Russell Grace established a business in Peru. The early enterprise supplied and traded goods connected with South American commerce, including guano, fertilizer-related products, machinery, agricultural commodities, and shipping services. William’s brother Michael joined the business, which became Grace Brothers & Co. The enterprise later established a New York presence and developed a broad commercial network in Peru, Chile, the United States, and other markets. Its historical activities included maritime transportation, railroads, agriculture, mining, banking, and commodity trading. Shipping was a defining part of Grace’s early identity. The Grace Line transported cargo between the west coast of South America, the United States, and other destinations, initially supporting the movement of guano, sugar, and other commodities. Grace also participated in aviation through Pan American-Grace Airways, commonly known as Panagra, a joint venture that operated routes linking the United States with South America. During the twentieth century, the company expanded well beyond transportation and became a diversified conglomerate. A major strategic turning point came in the 1950s. Grace became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange in 1953 and acquired Davison Chemical Company and Dewey & Almy Chemical Company in 1954. These acquisitions gave the company a durable position in catalysts, specialty chemicals, and specialty materials and ultimately provided the foundation for the businesses that define Grace today. Under J. Peter Grace, the company pursued extensive diversification. At different times it owned or operated interests in energy, drilling, food and beverage, restaurants, retail, mining, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and industrial products. It also built a substantial research presence in Maryland. The conglomerate subsequently reduced its breadth through divestitures, public offerings, and separations. Chemed was created within Grace in 1970 and became independent in 1981. Other historical businesses, including shipping, cocoa, retail, energy, and food operations, were sold or separated over time. In 2001, Grace entered a lengthy Chapter 11 bankruptcy process associated principally with asbestos-related liabilities. The bankruptcy period lasted approximately twelve years and formally concluded in 2014, although related legal matters continued afterward. In 2016, Grace spun off its construction-products and packaging-technologies activities as GCP Applied Technologies, leaving Grace focused on catalysts and materials. Grace acquired BASF’s global polyolefin catalysts business in 2016 and Albemarle’s polyolefin catalysts business in 2021, strengthening its position in polymer catalysts. Standard Industries acquired Grace in September 2021, taking the company private and ending its public-market identity. The resulting company continues to operate as a specialty chemicals business under Standard Industries’ ownership. In 2025, Grace announced the acquisition of Chevron U.S.A.’s interest in Advanced Refining Technologies, a refining-catalysts joint venture, further extending its role in catalyst technologies fo…
History
William Russell Grace founded the enterprise that became Grace in Peru in 1854. An Irish immigrant who had traveled to South America during the era of the Great Famine, Grace initially worked as a ship chandler serving vessels involved in the guano trade. Guano was commercially important as a fertilizer and as a source of compounds used in explosives. His brother Michael P. Grace joined him, and the business became Grace Brothers & Co. The company developed commercial operations in Peru, Chile, the United States, and Europe, dealing in fertilizer-related goods, machinery, agricultural commodities, and other products. The company created a New York headquarters in 1865, was chartered in 1872, and was incorporated in the late nineteenth century. Sources differ on whether the relevant incorporation should be dated to 1895 or 1899, reflecting successive corporate structures and consolidations. Grace’s early expansion was closely tied to maritime transportation. The Grace Line began service between South America and New York in the late nineteenth century, and regular steamship operations expanded under several corporate entities before being consolidated into Grace Steamship Company in 1916. The company later served Caribbean and Central American routes and held an interest in Pacific Mail Steamship Company. Grace also established Panama Mail Steamship Company after disposing of its Pacific transpacific operations. After William Russell Grace died in 1904, the company passed through successive leadership arrangements before Joseph Peter Grace, the founder’s son, became president in 1907. In 1914 the company established Grace National Bank. Under Joseph Peter Grace and later generations of the family, Grace broadened its South American commercial platform and added activities in agriculture, mining, banking, shipping, and other industries. In 1928, Grace and Pan American Airways created Pan American-Grace Airways, or Panagra. The airline developed a substantial network between the United States and South America and ultimately merged with Braniff Airways in 1967. J. Peter Grace became president in 1945 and presided over a particularly expansive phase. Grace owned or controlled interests in drilling, petroleum services, cocoa and chocolate ingredients, sugar, cotton, silver, clay, phosphate, tin, fertilizers, food, restaurants, retail, and industrial products. Through the Davison Chemical Division, it also performed work involving nuclear materials under a contract with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. The company invested in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, including genetic-engineering research through Agricetus and human gene-therapy work associated with Aurigent Pharmaceuticals. A major research complex, the Washington Research Center, was developed in Columbia, Maryland. Grace became a public company through a New York Stock Exchange initial offering in 1953. In 1954, it purchased Davison Chemical Company and Dewey & Almy Chemical Company. Those transactions marked the decisive formation of Grace’s modern specialty-chemicals platform, particularly in catalysts, silica-based materials, packaging chemicals, and related technologies. In 1955 the company appointed Charles E. Wilson, formerly associated with General Electric, as chairman, ending the tradition of having a Grace family member in that role. During the 1960s and 1970s, Grace remained a diversified conglomerate. It expanded polymer-chemicals capacity, sold its shipping company in 1969, and owned businesses such as FAO Schwarz, Barilla, Del Taco, and other food and retail operations. Grace created Chemed in 1970 to manage a group of diverse subsidiaries; Chemed became independent in 1981. The company also entered joint ventures and international operations, including a 1981 retail arrangement with Vroom & Dreesmann and a 1987 can-sealant plant in China. In the late 1980s and 1990s it sold or partially separated equipment, energy, cocoa, paper-drying, polymer, and filtration businesses as management narrowed the portfolio. Grace filed for bankruptcy protection in 2001 amid approximately 110,000 asbestos-related lawsuits, a figure later reported as rising to about 125,000. Environmental and regulatory disputes connected with asbestos exposure from vermiculite operations, especially the Libby, Montana mine, became an important part of the company’s legal history. Grace faced federal and state actions in 2005, and the bankruptcy process continued for roughly twelve years. Court approval for a merger involving Synthetech was obtained in 2010. The bankruptcy process concluded in 2014, although associated legal proceedings continued beyond that date. The post-bankruptcy company concentrated on catalysts and materials. In 2016 it separated Grace Construction Products and Darex Packaging Technologies into GCP Applied Technologies. Grace also acquired BASF’s global polyolefin catalysts business in 2016 and Albemarle’s polyolefin catalysts unit in 2021. In September 2021, Standard Industries acquired Grace, ending its status as a public company and placing the continuing catalysts and materials operations under private ownership. GCP Applied Technologies was later acquired by Saint-Gobain in 2022. Grace’s subsequent strategy has emphasized refining catalysts, polymer catalysts, silica-based materials, and specialized manufacturing services. In 2025 it announced the acquisition of Chevron’s interest in Advanced Refining Technologies, reinforcing its refining-catalyst activities.
- 2025
Grace announces Advanced Refining Technologies acquisition
[1]Grace announces a transaction to acquire Chevron U.S.A.’s interest in the refining-catalysts joint venture Advanced Refining Technologies.
- 2025
Advanced Refining Technologies interest acquired
[1]Grace acquired Chevron’s interest in the Advanced Refining Technologies joint venture.
- 2022
GCP acquired by Saint-Gobain
[1]Saint-Gobain acquired GCP Applied Technologies, the former Grace construction-products and packaging business.
- 2021
Standard Industries acquires Grace
[1]Standard Industries acquired Grace and took the company private.
- 2021
Albemarle catalyst business acquired
[1]Grace acquired Albemarle’s polyolefin catalysts unit to expand its single-site, metallocene, and Ziegler–Natta catalyst capabilities.
- 2016
GCP Applied Technologies is spun off
[1]Construction-products and Darex packaging operations become a separate public company. Grace separated its construction-products and packaging activities into GCP Applied Technologies.
- 2014
Bankruptcy process concludes
[1]Grace completed its bankruptcy process after approximately twelve years.
- 2001
Grace enters bankruptcy
[1]The company begins Chapter 11 proceedings amid extensive asbestos-related litigation.
- 2001
Bankruptcy filing
[1]Grace began a prolonged U.S. bankruptcy proceeding amid extensive asbestos litigation.
- 1987
Shanghai-area manufacturing plant opened
[1]Grace built a can-sealant plant near Shanghai, described as the first wholly foreign-owned private company of its type to operate in China.
Products and positioning
A global specialty chemicals and materials supplier focused on catalysts, engineered particles, process technologies, and application-specific manufacturing services.
Catalysts
Refining catalysts
Grace supplies catalyst products and process technologies for petroleum refining and related chemical applications. These materials support the conversion and treatment of hydrocarbon streams and are part of the company’s Performance Catalyst Solutions business. The portfolio also includes activities associated with lower-carbon fuel processing and the Advanced Refining Technologies joint venture. Grace supplies catalyst systems and related technologies for petroleum refining and related chemical-processing applications. These products are used by refiners to improve conversion, selectivity, throughput, and product quality. The portfolio is associated with the company’s Performance Catalyst Solutions business and includes technologies relevant to conventional refining as well as emerging lower-carbon fuel applications.
Polymer catalysts
Polyolefin catalysts
Grace develops catalyst systems used to manufacture polyethylene and polypropylene. Its portfolio includes single-site and metallocene catalysts as well as Ziegler–Natta technologies. These products are used by polymer producers seeking control over resin properties, production efficiency, and application performance. Grace develops catalysts used to manufacture polyethylene and polypropylene. Its portfolio includes single-site and metallocene technologies as well as Ziegler–Natta systems. These catalysts influence polymer performance and manufacturing efficiency and serve producers of commodity and specialty polyolefins.
Engineered materials
Silica and silica-alumina materials
Grace produces specialty silica-based and silica-alumina-based materials for coatings, paints, toothpaste, chemical processing, and other industrial and consumer applications. The materials can function as carriers, rheology modifiers, polishing agents, absorbents, or process aids depending on formulation and end use. The Material Technologies business produces silica-based and silica-alumina-based materials. Applications include coatings, paints, toothpaste, chemical processing, and other commercial and consumer products. The materials are used for properties such as structure, absorption, abrasion control, rheology, and catalytic support, depending on formulation and end use.
Contract and custom manufacturing
Fine Chemical Manufacturing Services
The Material Technologies business includes fine chemical manufacturing services for customers requiring specialized production capabilities. The offering complements Grace’s own materials portfolio and supports chemical-process applications where controlled manufacturing, formulation expertise, and application-specific specifications are important. Grace provides fine chemical manufacturing services for customers requiring specialized intermediates and production capabilities. This activity complements its materials portfolio and supports chemical-process and pharmaceutical-related applications where customers outsource selected manufacturing steps.
Construction materials
Grace Construction Products
Grace Construction Products was a major historical operating division supplying construction chemicals and related products. It was separated from Grace in the 2016 spin-off that created GCP Applied Technologies and is therefore no longer part of the continuing Grace company.
Packaging technologies
Darex Packaging Technologies
Darex was Grace’s packaging-technologies business, associated with can and container sealing products and related materials. It was transferred to GCP Applied Technologies in the 2016 corporate separation and is not part of the current Grace portfolio.
Former business divisions
Construction Products and Darex packaging technologies
Grace historically operated construction-products and packaging-technology businesses, including concrete admixtures and can-sealant technologies. These activities were separated into GCP Applied Technologies in 2016 and are no longer part of the current Grace corporate portfolio.
Controversies
2005
Libby vermiculite and Clean Air Act enforcement
Grace faced charges concerning asbestos released from its vermiculite mining operations in Libby, Montana. New Jersey authorities also announced intended legal action related to a Grace-operated vermiculite plant in that state. Grace was charged with Clean Air Act violations concerning asbestos released from its former vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana. New Jersey authorities also announced plans to pursue claims concerning a Grace vermiculite facility in that state.
2001
Asbestos-related bankruptcy and litigation
Grace entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection while facing tens of thousands of asbestos-related claims. The proceedings lasted approximately twelve years and were a defining legal and financial event in the company’s modern history. Grace sought bankruptcy protection while facing a very large number of asbestos-related lawsuits. The claims and associated restructuring shaped the company’s corporate identity and legal affairs for more than a decade.
Brand decisions
2025
Acquire Chevron’s interest in Advanced Refining TechnologiesM&ABackground
Grace sought to expand its refining-catalyst platform and participate in technologies serving lower-carbon fuel production.
Action taken
Grace acquired Chevron U.S.A. Inc.’s interest in Advanced Refining Technologies, a joint venture producing refining catalysts.
Aftermath
The transaction would give Grace a larger role in the refining-catalysts business, subject to the applicable transaction process. The transaction added the joint venture’s refining-catalyst activities to Grace’s portfolio.
2021
Acquire Albemarle’s polyolefin catalysts unitM&ABackground
Grace continued consolidating and expanding its polymer-catalyst activities.
Action taken
Grace acquired Albemarle’s polyolefin catalysts unit, including technologies associated with single-site, metallocene, and Ziegler–Natta catalysts.
Aftermath
The deal strengthened Grace’s product range and position in polyolefin catalyst markets. Grace stated that the deal would reinforce its position in single-site, metallocene, and Ziegler–Natta catalyst technologies.
Reported transaction value. $416 million (2021)
2021
Become a Standard Industries companyM&ABackground
Grace’s catalysts and materials businesses were operating as a focused specialty chemicals company after the GCP separation.
Action taken
Standard Industries acquired Grace and took the company private.
Aftermath
Grace ceased trading as an independent public company and continued under Standard Industries ownership.
Reported acquisition price. $70 per share; approximately $7 billion transaction value (September 2021)
2021
Sell Grace to Standard IndustriesM&ABackground
Grace had returned to a focused specialty-chemicals model after bankruptcy and the GCP separation.
Action taken
Standard Industries acquired Grace for approximately $70 per share and took the company private.
Aftermath
Grace ceased operating as an independent publicly traded company and became part of Standard Industries.
Transaction value. Approximately $7 billion (September 2021)
2016
Spin off construction and packaging businessesStrategyBackground
Following bankruptcy and portfolio restructuring, Grace sought to concentrate on catalysts and materials.
Action taken
Grace separated Grace Construction Products and Darex Packaging Technologies into GCP Applied Technologies.
Aftermath
Grace retained its catalysts and Material Technologies businesses, while GCP became a separate public company.
2016
Acquire BASF’s global polyolefin catalysts businessM&ABackground
Grace sought to strengthen its position in polymer catalysts and broaden its technology offering to polyolefin producers.
Action taken
The company purchased BASF’s global polyolefin catalysts business.
Aftermath
The acquisition broadened Grace’s offerings for polyethylene and polypropylene producers. The transaction expanded Grace’s single-site, metallocene, and related polyolefin catalyst capabilities.
2016
Separate construction products and packaging from GraceStrategyBackground
Following its emergence from bankruptcy, Grace sought to focus on catalysts and specialty materials rather than retain all of its historical operating divisions.
Action taken
Grace spun off Grace Construction Products and Darex Packaging Technologies as GCP Applied Technologies, leaving the catalysts and materials segments within Grace.
Aftermath
Grace became a more focused specialty-chemicals company, while GCP operated as an independent public company until its acquisition by Saint-Gobain in 2022.
1954
Acquire Davison Chemical and Dewey & Almy ChemicalM&ABackground
Grace was diversifying beyond its historic South American trading, shipping, and resource businesses.
Action taken
The company acquired both chemical businesses, establishing the basis for its modern catalysts and specialty-materials operations.
Aftermath
The transactions positioned Grace as a significant specialty chemicals and materials producer.
Recent events
Standard Industries agrees to acquire W.R. Grace[3]
Reported:
W.R. Grace agreed to be acquired by Standard Industries Holdings Inc. for $4.6 billion in an all-cash transaction. The deal was subject to a shareholder vote and regulatory approvals and was expected to close in the fourth quarter.
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