M&A move

Katy-based US Silica agrees to go private in $1.85B acquisition by asset management firm

Once the deal closes, U.S. Silica's stock will no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Photo via ussilica.com

U.S. Silica has agreed to go private in an all-cash acquisition by Apollo Global Management, a New York asset management firm that primarily invests in alternative assets. The deal values the industrial minerals company at about $1.85 billion.

In a Friday announcement, U.S. Silica said that shareholders would receive $15.50 in cash for each share owned as of the deal's closing. Once the deal closes, U.S. Silica's stock will no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Founded in the late 1800s, U.S. Silica produces commercial silica used in the oil and gas industry and other industrial applications. It operates 26 mines and processing facilities and two additional exploration stage properties.

The Katy, Texas-based company is still set to operate under the U.S. Silica name and brand, and will continue to be led by its current CEO Bryan Shinn. In a prepared statement, Shinn said that partnering with Apollo will give U.S. Silica “significant resources, deep industry expertise and enhanced flexibility as a private company."

U.S. Silica said that the transaction — which has been unanimously approved by its board of directors — is expected to close in the third quarter, subject to regulatory approval and other customary conditions.

The agreement also includes a 45-day “go-shop” period that allows U.S. Silica to seek out other proposals until June 10.

Shares of U.S. Silica Holdings Inc. climbed nearly 20 percent Friday morning, shortly after the company reported net income of $13.7 million for its first quarter. The commercial silica producer posted revenue of $325.9 million in the period.

Apollo Global Management's stock was up about 0.18 percent.

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A View From HETI

Syzygy Plasmonics has partnered with Volycys on its NovaSAF 1 project, which will convert biogas into sustainable aviation fuel in Uruguay. Photo courtesy of Syzygy

Houston-based Syzygy Plasmonics has announced a partnership with Velocys, another Houston company, on its first-of-its-kind sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production project in Uruguay.

Velocys was selected to provide Fischer-Tropsch technology for the project. Fischer-Tropsch technology converts synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbons, which is key for producing synthetic fuels like SAF.

Syzygy estimates that the project, known as NovaSAF 1, will produce over 350,000 gallons of SAF annually. It is backed by Uruguay’s largest dairy and agri-energy operations, Estancias del Lago, with permitting and equipment sourcing ongoing. Syzygy hopes to start operations by 2027.

"This project proves that profitable SAF production doesn't have to wait on future infrastructure," Trevor Best, CEO of Syzygy Plasmonics, said in a news release. "With Velocys, we're bringing in a complete, modular solution that drives down overall production costs and is ready to scale. Uruguay is only the start."

The NovaSAF 1 facility will convert dairy waste and biogas into drop-in jet fuel using renewable electricity and waste gas via its light-driven GHG e-Reforming technology. The facility is expected to produce SAF with at least an 80 percent reduction in carbon intensity compared to Jet A fuel.

Syzygy will use Velocys’ microFTL technology to convert syngas into high-yield jet fuel. Velocys’ microFTL will help maximize fuel output, which will assist in driving down the cost required to produce synthetic fuel.

"We're proud to bring our FT technology into a project that's changing the game," Matthew Viergutz, CEO of Velocys, added in the release. "This is what innovation looks like—fast, flexible, and focused on making SAF production affordable."

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