W. R. Grace is a global specialty chemical company that produces and sells catalysts and silica-based materials. The company operates in two segments: Grace Catalysts Technologies and Grace Materials Technologies. Grace Catalysts Technologies provides catalysts and related products and technologies used in refining, petrochemical and other chemical manufacturing applications. Grace Materials Technologies provides specialty materials, including silica-based and silica-alumina-based materials, used in coatings, consumer, industrial, and pharmaceutical applications. The company was founded in 1854 and is headquartered in Columbia, Maryland.