Israel Chemicals buys phosphate products firm Halox

Fertilizer and specialty chemicals maker Israel Chemicals said its specialty phosphates division ICL Performance Products had acquired Indiana-based Halox, a division of Hammond Group Inc. Financial details were not disclosed. Halox makes specialty phosphate-based, corrosion inhibitor products for the paint and coating industry. The acquisition closed on Oct. 1, ICL said. "This acquisition will extend our technical phosphate specialties offerings for the paints and coatings sector while expanding our operations in the Americas," said James Moffatt, president of ICL Performance Products Americas. The acquisition includes Halox's research and development activities and manufacturing assets, as well as its distribution network for its phosphates-based products.