Solvay

Four Sectors of Activity, One Strategy

It has always been the policy of the Solvay Group to focus its efforts on product sectors where it has experience and know-how. The diversity of Solvay's activities is the result of systematic development of the by-products of each manufacturing process. This diversification centers on four sectors of activity, governed by a single industrial and commercial strategy.

Pharmaceuticals： Research with Life in Mind

Chemicals：The building blocks of Chemistry

Soda ash | Detergent | Chlor Chemicals | Hydrogen Peroxide | Fillers | Salt
Fluor | Barium Strontium | Caprolactones |

Plastics ：Custom-made Materials

Processing： From Plastics to Finished Products

Plastics

The products offered by the Solvay Plastics companies are commercialized under 15 different trademark names. They were designed to cover a broad range of markets and applications and are classified in four main Product Range categories:

Company Brand

Solvay Benvic BENVIC^® PVC Compounds (Polyvinyl Chloride)

Solvay Engineered Polymers DEXFLEX^®
SEQUEL^® PP Compounds (Polypropylene)
PP Compounds

Solvay Advanced Polymers IXEF^®PRIMEF^® Polyarylamide
PPS (Polyphenylene Sulfide)

Solvay Fluoro Polymers SOLEF^® PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride)

Solvay Polyolefins Europe ELTEX^® HDPE (High-density Polyethylene)

Solvay Polymers FORTIFLEX^® HDPE

Solvin SOLVIN^®
IXAN^®
DIOFAN^® PVC Resins
PVDC (Polyvinylidene Chloride)
PVDC

Padanaplast POLIDAN^®POLIDIEMME^®COGEFILL^®COGEGUM^® PE Compounds (Polyethylene)
PE Compounds
PE Compounds
PE Compounds

Dacarto Benvic 　 PVC Compounds

Solvay Indupa INDUVIL^® PVC

Vinyloop VINYLOOP^® Recycling Process

Vinythai SIAMVIC^® PVC

　　　SOLVAY INDUPA DO BRASIL S.A.　Sao Paulo,Brazil
　　　SOLVAY INDUPA S.A.I.C.　Argentina
　　　VINYTHAI PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED　RAYONG、Thailand

(European Chemical News. 25 March-1 April 2002)

Planned acquisition of Italian fluorinated and peroxides producer Ausimont

Solvay offers disposals to EC

Belgian chemical group Solvay has proposed to divest some of its chemical activities in order to obtain European Commission (EC) approval for its planned acquisition of Ausimont.

now called Solvay Solexis

Rubber World 2003/1/23

3M Completes Purchase of Solvay Fluoropolymers

Dyneon LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of 3M, has announced the completion of its acquistion of Solvay Fluoropolymers, Inc., a subsidiary of Sol-vay America, Inc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

2002/8/27 Solvay

SOLVAY IN AGREEMENT WITH DYNEON TO SELL SOLVAY FLUOROPOLYMERS, INC. IN DECATUR (USA)
　　http://www.solvaypress.com/pressreleases/0,6411,1142-2-0,00.htm

　

Sale of PVDF activities taken to comply with conditions set by competition authorities for Ausimont acquisition

Solvay America, Inc. and Dyneon LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of 3M) have entered into a binding letter of intent for the sale of the North America - based Solvay Fluoropolymers, Inc. to Dyneon, subject to final regulatory approvals.

May 22, 2003 Financial Times

Solvay expands VCM, PVC capacity in Brazil.

$45 M is to be invested by Solvay Indupa do Brazil, a subsidiary of Solvay, to increase vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) capacity by 110,000 tonnes/y to 270,000 tonnes/y and PVC capacity by 40,000 tonnes/y to 280,000 tonnes/y at Santo Andre in Brazil.

　

2003/6/18 Solvay

Solvay in new partnership to launch industrial operations on growing Russin PVC compounds market
　　　http://www.solvaypress.com/pressreleases/0,6411,3601-2-0,00.htm

Solvay announces today that it has signed an agreement with Nikos, a private Russian industrial group, to create Soligran, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compounds joint venture in Russia. The new company, of which both partners will hold 50%, is scheduled to be operational from the autumn of 2003, pending approval of the Russian authorities. It will mark the return of Solvay's industrial activities in Russia after 85 years.

September 16, 2003 Business Wire

Solvay America Inc. Consolidates U.S. Chemicals Operations as Solvay Chemicals Inc.
　　http://www.solvayamerica.com/pdfs/SCI_announcement.pdf

Solvay America Inc. has begun the process of consolidating its U.S. chemicals operations under the new name, Solvay Chemicals Inc. The consolidation will be completed by Jan. 1, 2004.

Solvay Minerals Inc. and Solvay Interox Inc. have already been combined to form the new company, which is headquartered in Houston. Solvay Fluorides Inc., will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Solvay Chemicals as of Jan. 1, 2004, at which time its St. Louis office will close.

2004/5/13 Solvay

Solvay Soda Ash takes first step toward major chemical alliance in China
NCI, Subsidiary of Sinopec, identified as the appropriate potential partner
http://www.solvaypress.com/pressreleases/0,,18322-2-0,00.htm

Solvay announces today that it has signed a Letter of mutual interest with Nanjing Chemical Industries (NCI), a unit of China PetroChemical Corporation (Sinopec), aiming at setting up a joint venture for the operation of NCI’s soda ash plant in Lianyungang, China. Both parties will now enter into detailed feasibility studies, with the objective of concluding successful negotiations by the end of 2004 - and leading to the launch of joint operations in 2005.

November 03, 2004 Solvay

Solvay sells its stake in BP Solvay Polyethelene joint ventures to BP
http://www.solvaypress.com/pressreleases/0,,24381-2-0,00.htm

Exercise of put option confirms Solvay's focus on specialty polymers

Solvay SA announces today that it has exercised its option to sell its stakes in the BP Solvay Polyethylene joint ventures to BP, effective early 2005 - pending approval by the relevant authorities and information/consultation procedures with workers' representatives. Solvay currently holds 50% of BP Solvay Polyethylene Europe and 51% of BP Solvay Polyethylene North America. After completion, BP would become the full owner of the European and American joint ventures.

Solvay and BP have also addressed and agreed on a number of operational issues to ensure the seamless continuation of the activities of the joint ventures.

The BP Solvay Polyethylene subsidiaries were created in August 2001 to combine both groups' high density polyethylene (HDPE) activities, in parallel with two other transactions in which Solvay sold its polypropylene activities to BP and acquired BP's specialty polymers business. Later in 2001, to further its leadership in specialty polymers, Solvay acquired Ausimont, now called Solvay Solexis. To help the financing of this latter acquisition, Solvay monetized the proceeds of its option to sell its stakes in the polyethylene joint ventures to BP. To that effect, a fully consolidated subsidiary of Solvay issued EUR 800 million of preferred shares, which were subscribed by several banks. A substantial part of the proceeds from the actual exercise of Solvay's option on BP will be used to redeem all of the preferred shares for EUR 800 million.

2004/12/8 Platts

EC clears acquisition of BP Solvay HDPE by BP

The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control by BP of its high density polyethylene HDPE joint venture with Solvay SA of Belgium, the EC announced Wednesday.

2005/12/15 Solvay

Solvay signs agreement to acquire innovative specialty polymers business from Gharda (India)
http://www.solvay.com/services/newsfrompo/0,,36602-2-0,00.htm

Solvay announces today that it has signed a binding Sale & Purchase agreement for the acquisition of the Polymers Division of Gharda Chemicals in India. The operation will provide Solvay with a new global platform for the development, manufacturing, and marketing of a new range of specialty grades of ultra-high performance polymers such as polyether ketones (PEEK), high performance sulfones, and related monomers. The transaction is subject to certain conditions including approval from the relevant authorities. Solvay and Gharda are aiming to complete the transaction as soon as practical thereafter.

GHARDA CHEMICALS, established in 1967, is a research-based company with three manufacturing units. The company has won several national awards in India for technical innovation in the chemical industry and has many firsts in the field of dyestuffs, pesticides, veterinary drugs and polymers.

British Plastics & Rubber 2003/8/1

PEEK producer pushes protection
http://www.polymer-age.co.uk/archive66.htm#PEEK%20producer%20pushes%20protection

Indian agrochemicals manufacturer Gharda Chemicals has extended the patent cover for its polyether ether ketone polymer. Earlier this year it obtained a British patent, and has now secured an American patent for Melt Processible PEEK.

Gharda's PEEK - tradenamed Gatone - is made in a different process from Victrex PEEK in that it uses an electrophillic process developed by Gharda, and does not involve fluorine monomers. Gharda says that its process, only commercialised in 2000, is cheaper than that used by Victrex, but that the product is comparable.

January 31, 2006 Solvay

Solvay builds new Epichlorohydrin plant to meet growing demand with innovative production process
A strategic outlet for booming‘green’biodiesel industry
http://www.solvay.com/services/newsfrompo/0,,38696-2-0,00.htm

Solvay announces today that it will build a new epichlorohydrin plant on its industrial site of Tavaux, France, implementing a novel process with greatly enhanced environmental performance. The process, called Epicerol, was successfully developed by Solvay’s R&D and is based on the transformation of glycerine, a by-product of the biodiesel industry. The new plant, which is scheduled to be operational by the first half of 2007, will be fed with glycerine derived from rapeseed oil and fits perfectly with the development of the Biodiesel industry actively supported by the French government.

Notes to the Editors:

Epichlorohydrin is one of the most useful members of the epoxide family of compounds, its major use being the manufacture of epoxy resins, which have a large number of applications in the car, housing, boating and leisure industries. Other applications include the reinforcement of paper (used for instance in the food industry to manufacture tea bags) and water purification. Epichlorohydrin is traditionally derived indirectly by reacting propylene with chlorine.

The Epicerol process developed by Solvay allows the direct synthesis of dichloropropanol, an intermediate product, from glycerine and hydrochloric acid. A second step - dehydrochlorination - generates the final product, epichlorohydrin. The entire process is marked by a lower specific consumption of chlorine and water, consequently reducing chlorinated effluents. Solvay developed the glycerine-based process described in earlier scientific literature and made its industrialization possible thanks to the creation of an entirely new class of catalysts, among other innovations.

Glycerine is the main by-product of biodiesel production, with the generation of approximately 100 kg of glycerine for every 1000 kg of biodiesel.

Platts 2006/2/23

EC approves sale of Solvay's Industrial Foils business to Renolit

The European Union's competition commission has approved the sale of the Industrial Foils business of Belgium's chemicals group Solvay to Germany's Renolit, the commission announced Thursday. The sale include the production, marketing and sales of plastic foils. According to Solvay, the closing of the transaction "is now expected in the coming weeks, pending relevant social procedures." The agreed price of the transaction is Eur330-mil ($395-mil).

The vinyl flexible technical foils are used for the manufacturing of stationery products, self-adhesive tapes and stickers, packaging items or cinema screens, among other applications.

Renolit AG has more than half a century of experience in the development and production of plastic films.
http://www.renolit-werke.de/renolitag/englisch/frame.htm

2006/6/30 Solvay

Solvay to launch specialty polymer production in China 　　　微粒子化されたPTFE（四フッ化エチレン樹脂）パウダー
PTFE Micronized Powder Facility to Serve Buoyant Asian Markets

Solvay announces today that it has decided to build a new world-class polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE　四フッ化エチレン) Micronized Powder production unit in the People's Republic of China, to serve the dynamic local demand for innovative and high performance materials. Pending authorization from the relevant authorities, Solvay would initiate production in the second half of 2007.

PTFE Micronized Powders, marketed under the brand name Polymist(R), are used in a variety of complex applications, such as the manufacturing of cosmetics, high gloss inks, high performance lubricants and heat-resistant materials. The demand for micronized PTFE in Asia and particularly in China is fuelled by both the fast development of a local customer base as well as by the creation of local production facilities by a number of Solvay's global clients.

The new Polymist(R) facility would be located in the Jiangsu High-Tech Fluorochemical Industrial Park in Changshu 江蘇省常熟市 some 100 kilometers west of Shanghai - and operated through Solvay Specialty Polymers Changshu, a newly created and fully-owned subsidiary of the Solvay group.

September 24, 2008　Solvay

Solvay strengthens position in fluorinated high-performance materials in Asia
　　　Second world-class production plant of Polytetrafluoroethylene Micronised Powder

Solvay announces today the inauguration of its new world-class Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Micronised Powder production unit in the People’s Republic of China, to serve the dynamic local demand for innovative and high performance materials. PTFE Micronised Powders, marketed under the brand name Polymist(R), are used in a variety of complex applications, such as the manufacturing of cosmetics, high gloss inks, high performance lubricants and heat-resistant materials.
This new facility is Solvay’s second Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Micronised Powder production unit, the first facility being in Marshallton, Delaware, USA.

The new facility will allow Solvay to continue to use its patented technology and ability to customize products to meet the individual needs of its customers. The new Polymist facility is in the Jiangsu High-Tech Fluorochemical Industrial Park in Changshu some 100 kilometres west of Shanghai - and is managed by the operating units of Solvay Solexis, a fully-owned subsidiary of the Solvay Group.

他の中国での活動

ハロゲンフリー難燃性（HFFR)ＴＰＥ、コンパウンド

2005年　Solvay Padanaplast とShanghai Original Enterprise Development が50/50ＪＶ　Padanplast Original Advanced Compounds (Shanghai) を設立

Halogen Free Flame Retardant (HFFR) thermoplastic and irradiation crosslinkable compoundsの製造

塩ビパイプ事業

・

1989年にSolvayとオーストリアのWienerberger の50/50ＪＶ Pipelife International を設立、世界に展開　 http://www.pipelife.com/

・

Pipelife International はWienerberger の中国事業を買収した。

四川省成都市　
　　　　　パイプ製造　Chengdu Chuanwie Plastic Pipes Co., Ltd.
　　　　　継手製造　　Sichuan Chuanxi Plastic Co., Ltd.
広東省広州（南沙）　
　　　　パイプ製造　Pipelife (Guangzhou) Plastic Pipe Mfg., Ltd　

上海
　　　　パイプ製造　（下記）

・

2000年9月、Pipelife International と江蘇省常州のChangzhou Reinforced Plastics Factoryは65/35のＪＶ Changzhou Pipelife Reinforced Plastic Pipe Co., Ltd. を設立した。
Changzhou Reinforced Plastics Factoryは塩ビとＰＥの管・継手、PEガス管のメーカーで常州のプラントを拠出、Pipelifeは上海のプラントを拠出する。

2005/2/1

Solvay Padanaplast Original Create HFFR Joint Venture in China

Solvay Padanaplast S.p.A. and Shanghai Original Enterprise Development Co. Ltd. announce today that they have signed an agreement to create a joint venture for the development, production and marketing of Halogen Free Flame Retardant (HFFR) thermoplastic and irradiation crosslinkable compounds. Both partners will hold 50% of the joint venture.

The joint venture, which was approved by the authorities of the People’s Republic of China, is scheduled to be operational from beginning of February 2005 under the name PADANAPLAST ORIGINAL ADVANCED COMPOUNDS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD. in English and 上海至正潘德那聚合物有限公司 in Chinese. The joint venture, which is located in Shanghai and essentially aims at serving the Chinese market, will have an initial production capacity of 5,000 tons per annum. The size of the company may be expanded at a later stage, in line with market demand.

“We welcome the decision of the PRC authorities to grant a business license to the joint operation of Original and Padanaplast,” said Hai Liang Hou, President of Shanghai Original Enterprise Development Co., Ltd.. “We are now in a position to deliver international quality products best suited for the rapid development of the Chinese market for HFFR compounds in the cable industry, which we expect will grow by more than 10% per annum over the next five years,” he added.

“Padanaplast Original Advanced Compounds will be the leading provider of HFFR compounds for the cable industry in China, with an extensive range which will include 20 different compounds right from the start of operations,” said Luigi. Dalpasso, Managing Director of Solvay Padanaplast S.p.A.

Solvay Padanaplast S.p.A. is a global leader in the sector of plastic compounds for crosslinkable pipe and cable markets, whose headquarter, R&D and production facilities are located near Parma in Italy, and is a major foreign supplier of Halogen Free Flame Retardant compounds in China. The company, which has annual global sales of some EUR 50 million, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Solvay SA, the international chemical and pharmaceutical Group.

Shanghai Original Enterprise Development Co., Ltd., founded in1997, has grown to be a major domestic player in the PRC wire and cable compounds market, specializing in Halogen Free Flame Retardant thermoplastic and irradiation cross-linkable compounds. The company has been granted the status of Shanghai High Tech Enterprise since 2002.

PADANAPLAST SpA, located at Roccabianca, near Parma, Italy, is an indipendent business unit belonging to Solvay Performance Compounds SBU.
Padanaplast is world leader in Sioplas® PEX compound for pipe applications and among the leader for HFFR TP & SXL, SXL-EPR, SXLPE compounds for cables.
It was one of the first company to produce Sioplas® PEX compounds more than 20 years ago, and now commercialized worldwide.

We merge 25 years of experience in our target markets with a continuous innovation.
Experienced , young, dynamic people work together in efficient teams to combine the strength of the expertise with the knowledge of the newest technologies.

September 05, 2000　

Pipelife International sets up new company in China, strengthening its position in the fast growing Shanghai area

PIPELIFE INTERNATIONAL, a 50/50 joint venture between SOLVAY (Belgium) and WIENERBERGER (Austria), signed an agreement for the creation of a new plastic pipe company with a Chinese partner, Changzhou Reinforced Plastics Factory (CRPF).

CRPF is a medium-sized plastic pipe producer based in Changzhou (200 km north-east of Shanghai), with annual revenues of approximately $5 million. It manufactures PVC and polyethylene water pressure pipes and fittings as well as polyethylene gas pipes and has an annual production capacity of approximately 8,000 tonnes.

CRPF will bring its international standard facilities in Changzhou into the joint venture, while PIPELIFE will contribute with its Shanghai factory. PIPELIFE will own 65% of the capital of the new company, to be named CHANGZHOU PIPELIFE REINFORCED PLASTIC PIPE Co. Ltd., while CRPF will own the remaining 35% of the capital.

The new company will benefit from PIPELIFE's technical expertise and CRPF's share of the fast-growing pipes and fittings market in the Shanghai area. Furthermore, the joint venture will gain from the fact that the Chinese authorities have already registered CRPF's products -including gas pipes. Due to a booming economy, the pipe market around Shanghai has grown by more than 20% annually over the past three years. It is expected to expand at the same pace in the coming years.

PIPELIFE, a 50/50 joint venture between SOLVAY and WIENERBERGER, is one of the three largest European producers of plastic pipes and fittings. PIPELIFE operates with 3,200 employees, in 34 plants in 24 countries and posted a turnover of some EUR 600 million in 1999. In China, PIPELIFE already operates five companies: three in the region of Chengdu, one near Guangzhou and one in Shanghai. The latter will be included in the joint venture with CRPF.

SOLVAY is an international pharmaceutical and chemical group headquartered in Brussels. It employs about 33,000 people in 50 countries. In 1999, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 7.9 billion, generated by its four sectors of activity: Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Plastics and Processing.

WIENERBERGER is an international building material group, with a leading position on the European pipe market, and the number one producer of bricks in the world. The group has more than 11,000 employees and over 200 plants in 26 countries. Group sales reached EUR 1,338 million in 1999.

2006/8/30 Solvay

Solvay Indupa launches ambitious plan to expand and upgrade vinyls production in Brazil
Capacity increase in Santo Andre to meet fast-growing Latin American demand

Solvay announces today that the Board of its affiliate Solvay Indupa has approved a USD 150 million investment program to expand and modernize its vinyls production plant of Santo Andre, Brazil, in anticipation of rapidly growing demand in Latin America.

The investment program includes upgrading the plant’s electrolysis unit through the implementation of modern membrane technology with a nameplate annual capacity of 150,000 metric tons of chlorine and the expansion of the downstream vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) manufacturing facility, with the installation of larger, more competitive equipment. As a result, by the end of 2008, the Santo Andre plant will have a total annual VCM and PVC production capacity of 300,000 metric tons, with world-class, state-of-the-art installations. Subsequent developments will be considered to further expand the plant, whose fully integrated PVC capacity could be easily lifted in line with the demand growth .

Solvay Indupa, a company of the Solvay group, is one of the most important petrochemical companies in the Mercosur. Its main products are PVC resins and Caustic Soda. Solvay Indupa has its main offices in Buenos Aires, Argentina and two industrial sites: one in Bahia Blanca (Argentina) and the other in Santo Andre (Brazil). Solvay holds 62.7% of Solvay Indupa, which is listed on the Buenos Aires stock market.

Solvay Indupa has two industrial complexes: one located in Bahia Blanca Petrochemical Pole, in Argentina , producing 210,000 ton/year of PVC and 180,000 tons/year of Sodium hydroxide (NaOH); and the other located in the industrial complex in Santo Andre, Brazil , where it produces 240,000 tons/year of PVC (→300,000tpa）　and 100,000 tons/year of Sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

2006/10/16 Solvay

Solvay expands, upgrades ultra polymer production in Panoli (India)
Launch of KetaSpire^TM, a new polyether ether ketone (PEEK) product line

The Solvay group announces today that it has decided to expand and upgrade its facilities in Panoli (Gujarat State, India), which will result in the creation of a new, world-class production unit for polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and other materials in the ultra-performance segment of the specialty polymers business. The installation will be built to provide for a natural expansion of production, resulting in a step-wise increase in capacity as warranted by demand. It will come on stream in the first quarter of 2008, with a production capacity of 500 metric tons per year of KetaSpire, the new line of PEEK products developed by Solvay Advanced Polymers.

The R&D center and production plant in Panoli were formerly operated by Polymers Division of Gharda Chemicals, which Solvay acquired earlier this year. The successful completion of this acquisition laid the groundwork for Solvay's entry into the PEEK market. In parallel, the extensive research carried out at Solvay Advanced Polymers' R&D center in Alpharetta, (Georgia, United States) was finalized and resulted in a fully operational, robust, proprietary product and manufacturing technology for the new line of KetaSpire PEEK materials.

2007/4/5 Solvay

Solvay’s green chemistry technology for the manufacturing of Epichlorohydrin is operational in Tavaux (France)
　Group consolidates technological leadership of Epicerol(TM) process

Solvay announces today that the first industrial unit implementing Solvay’s novel process to produce Epichlorohydrin, Epicerol, was successfully launched in Tavaux (France). The plant is fed with glycerine derived from rapeseed oil and has an initial nameplate capacity of 10 metric kilotons per year, easily expandable in response to market demand.

This first industrial implementation of Epicerol reaffirms Solvay’s technological leadership with a process based on the transformation of glycerine, which is a by-product of the biodiesel industry, and paves the way for future developments. Solvay is planning a further investment in a 100 kt/year unit in Thailand, in response to rapidly growing demand for epichlorohydrin, in particular in Asia. In this country, Solvay will take advantage of its integrated site of Map Ta Phut. This new Epicerol production unit will startup mid 2009.

The Epicerol process developed by Solvay allows the direct synthesis of dichloropropanol, an intermediate product, from glycerine and hydrochloric acid. A second step - dehydrochlorination - generates the final product, epichlorohydrin. The entire process is marked by a lower specific consumption of chlorine and water, consequently reducing chlorinated effluents. Solvay developed the glycerine-based process described in earlier scientific literature and made its industrialization possible thanks to the creation of an entirely new class of catalysts, among other innovations.

Glycerine is the main by-product of biodiesel production, with the generation of approximately 100 kg of glycerine for every 1000 kg of biodiesel.

http://www.knak.jp/blog/2006-8-2.htm#dow

ダウは2006/8月9日、中国でエポキシ事業で5年間で2億ドルの投資をすると発表した。

まず、江蘇省張家港市の揚子江国際化学パークの既存の工場に世界最大級の10万トンの液体エポキシ樹脂（LER）プラントを建設する。2009年スタートの予定。
同地では2003年5月にスタートしたエポキシ樹脂（converted epoxy resins＝CER) 41千トンのプラントがあるが、これを2008年に34千トン増設し、75千トンに拡大する。
さらに、エポキシ原料のエピクロルヒドリンの新工場15万トンを新設する。場所については近く発表する。これは2010年スタート予定で、ダウのグリセリン法新技術を採用する。バイオディーゼルの製造で副生するグリセリンを原料とするもの。

　　→　Shanghai Site

2007/5/4 Platts

Argentina PVC maker Indupa mulls loan for Brazil expansion

Solvay Indupa
The expansion project, first announced in August 2006, will boost production capacity of its plant in Santo Andre, Sao Paulo to 160,000 mt/year of caustic soda and 300,000 mt/year of PVC. The facility currently has capacity to produce 240,000 mt/year of PVC and 100,000 mt/year of caustic soda.

Solvay Indupa, part of Belgium's Solvay, produces PVC in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, where it recently completed a $7.3 million expansion of the plant's PVC capacity of 240,000 mt/year from 210,000 mt/year.

2007/6/27 Solvay

SOLVAY, SIBUR sign join venture agreement to build Russia’s first world-scale vinyls production plant
State-of-the art technology for a fast-growing market

Solvay and SolVin, the joint subsidiary of Solvay and BASF for vinyls in Europe, announce today that they have signed a joint venture agreement with Sibur LLC, an affiliate of Gazprom to build Russia’s first world-scale, fully integrated vinyls plant in Kstovo, in the Nizhny Novgorod region ニジニ・ノヴゴロド州.

Sibur Holding：　　　詳細
　ロシアの30社以上の石油化学・化学企業を統括する持ち株会社で、ガス精製からタイヤ生産まで幅広く手がけている。
　ロシア国営ガスプロムが、Sibur Holdingの株式を100％保有。
Solvin
　Solvay holds 75% and BASF 25% of SolVin.

Pending relevant regulatory clearance and the realization of appropriate infrastructure works, the production site is scheduled to be operational in 2010. It will require a total investment of EUR 650 million for the establishment of a total annual capacity of 330 kilotons of vinyls resin and 225 kilotons of caustic soda. The operation will serve the fast growing markets in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and is designed to accommodate a possible expansion bringing total capacity to 510 kilotons of vinyl resin and 335 kilotons of caustic soda.

The plant will be supplied with ethylene delivered from the cracker owned by Sibur in Kstovo. The cracker will be expanded by our Russian partner to meet the plant requirements as well as its own internal needs.

To implement their agreement, SolVin and Sibur Holding will create a joint venture company, RusVinyl, of which each partner will hold 50%. In addition, SolVin has entered into talks with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, aiming at a possible EBRD involvement in the project.

Vinyl production capacity on the Kstovo plant would be split as follows: 300 k/tons of polyvinyl chloride suspension (S-PVC), 30 k/tons of emulsion polyvinyl chloride resin (E-PVC), and 225 k/tons of caustic soda. A possible expansion would add a capacity of 150 k/tons of S-PVC, 30 k/tons of E-PVC and 110 k/tons of caustic soda per year, by 2014.

Platts 2007/7/11

Gazprom completes move to fully divest petchems business Sibur

The stake of 25% plus one share has been transferred to Gazfond, a Gazprom affiliate, the spokesman said.

Under the transaction, the 25% Sibur stake was effectively exchanged for shares in Moscow utility Mosenergo, which were previously held by Gazfond.

The remaining 75% minus one share in Sibur remains with Gazprombank.
Gazprombank is 42%-owned by Gazprom. The remaining shares in the bank are held by Gazprom-affiliated structures, including opaque investment fund 'Leader'.

August 14, 2007 Solvay

Solvay launches Peracetic Acid production in China
State-of-the-Art Proxitane® Plant now fully operational in Suzhou

Solvay announces today that its new Peracetic Acid (PAA 過酢酸) production plant in Suzhou, China is now fully operational and will deliver advanced disinfection solutions with a low impact on the environment. The market demand in China for Solvay's PAA range, marketed under the Proxitane® brand name, has been growing strongly over recent years, particularly for disinfection applications in the food & drinks packaging industry and "clean in place" operations, which enable the sterilization of food or pharmaceutical production equipment on site.

The plant, based on Solvay's world class technology, abides by stringent standards and has been approved by the relevant authorities. It is operated on behalf of Solvay by Suzhou Crystal Clear Co Ltd.

Solvay and the SCCC group are already operating a joint venture to produce Ultra High Purity Hydrogen Peroxide for the semiconductor industry, in a new, world-class plant which inaugurated last autumn in Suzhou.

2007/9/6 Solvay

Solvay to build world-class Epicerol® plant in Thailand
Innovative green chemistry technology to serve strong demand for epichlorohydrin

Solvay announces today that it has decided to build a world-class plant in Map Ta Phut (Thailand) for the production of epichlorohydrin on the basis of the Epicerol® process, its proprietary technology with enhanced environmental performance. Pending relevant regulatory approval, the new plant is scheduled to be operational at the end of 2009, with an annual production capacity of 100,000 metric tons, enabling Solvay to provide a fast response to the rapidly growing demand for epichlorohydrin in Asia.

2007/4/13　Solvay、バイオディーゼル副生グリセリンを原料とするエピクロの生産開始

Solvayは5日、同社技術での菜種油からのバイオディーゼル生産時の副生グリセリンを原料とするエピクロルヒドリンの生産をフランスのTavauxで開始したと発表した。当初の能力は年10千トンで、需要に応じて簡単に拡張できる。

2007/9/24 Solvay

Solvin to expand PVDC latex production in world-class plant of Tavaux (France)
A timely, competitive response to serve growing demand from food & pharma industry

SolVin, a joint venture of Solvay and BASF, announces today that it will build a new production line for polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) latex at its Tavaux (France) manufacturing site. PVDC latex is a specialty barrier material used as a coating in packaging applications where the integrity of the goods is critical, especially in the food and pharmaceutical sectors.

The new production line, which will add an annual capacity of 10,000 tons, is expected to be operational by mid-2009, in response to growing demand from the dynamic PVDC market. The new production line will benefit from full upstream integration of raw materials and from the expertise of the Tavaux staff, who have developed this operation into the global reference in terms of product quality and consistency.

While continuing to supply its international clients from Tavaux, SolVin is planning to strengthen its logistics to further improve its service to the rapidly expanding Asian market. SolVin will also continue to assess opportunities to create an entirely new production site in Asia or the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) countries, pending further developments in the PVDC market.

2007/10/8 Solvay

China : Solvay reinforces its presence and plans for more investments in specialty polymers

PTFE Micronized Powder facility confirmed; more projects under consideration

Solvay Solexis, a 100% subsidiary of the Solvay Group, today confirms that its new polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Micronized Powder plant currently under construction in Changshu, China, will be completed and operational in the first quarter of 2008. Solvay Solexis also confirms its intention to further develop its activities on the site, where it is considering producing other high value added fluorinated polymers.

The new PTFE plant is located in the Jiangsu High-Tech Fluorochemical Industrial Park in Changshu 常熟市, some 100 kilometers west of Shanghai. The location was selected last year because of its proximity with Shanghai and the dedication of the Industrial Park to complex technologies in specialty chemicals and polymers - particularly in the area of fluor technologies.

Among the subsequent development projects considered in Changshu, Solvay Solexis is planning to build, an integrated production plant for the manufacturing of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) for coating applications and related monomers.

2007/10/15 Solvay

Solvay signs agreement to sell Caprolactones business to Perstorp
　　Focusing on activities where the Group has maximum control over raw materials

Solvay announces today that it has signed a sale & purchase agreement with the Perstorp Group of Sweden to sell the latter its entire Caprolactones business, which is active in the production, marketing and sales of epsilon-Caprolactone. The transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2007, pending the relevant regulatory approvals. The agreed price for the transaction is EUR 200 million.

PERSTORP is a Swedish-based specialty chemical company, world leader in the production of oxo chemicals and polyols, derived mainly from propylene and methanol. Perstorp´s products are used in the aerospace, marine, coatings, chemicals, plastics, engineering and construction industries. Perstorp currently employs approximately 1,800 people and has manufacturing units in ten countries in Asia, Europe, North and South America. In 2006, Perstorp achieved revenues of EUR 780 million. Details are available at www.perstorp.com

Caprolactone: The existing portfolio of Caprolactones products marketed by Solvay under the CAPA（R） brand includes a wide range of commercial products used in applications such as paints & coatings, thermoplastic polyurethanes, adhesives, cast elastomers as well as in different solutions for the automotive, aerospace, medical and shoe industries.

Oct 17,2007 Solvay

Pipelife starts up production in new russian factory
　　Solvay Affiliate Expands into One of Europe’s Fastest Growing Markets

Solvay announces today that its affiliate for pipes and fittings, Pipelife, has started operating a new factory located 130km southwest of Moscow, in the middle of one of Europe’s fastest growing economies. Pipelife will produce a full range of plastic pipe systems for water distribution, sewage networks as well as in-house products. The factory, which features brand new equipment, will offer the most advanced products in Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE) as well as Vinyls, to cover the growing needs of the Russian customers. In a first stage, the factory will employ around 60 people.

The Pipelife Group is a 50/50 joint venture between Wienerberger, the Austrian construction materials manufacturer, and Solvay. It is one of Europe’s leading Plastic Pipes and Fittings groups. It is active in 29 countries and operates 30 factories with 2.800 employees achieving pro-forma sales of EUR 823 million in 2006.

2007/11/29 Solvay

Solvay signs agreement to sell polypropelene compounding activity to Basell
　　Focusing on activities where the Group has better opportunities to create business value

Solvay announces today that it has signed a Stock Purchase Agreement with Basell to sell the latter 100% of its subsidiary Solvay Engineered Polymers (SEP), a leading supplier of polypropylene compounds. Pending relevant regulatory approval, the transaction is expected to be completed early in 2008.

SEP, which is essentially active in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) region, has operations in Mansfield and Grand Prairie, Texas, as well as in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The company is also represented in Europe and China through sales offices. The annual sales of SEP account for less than 2% of the turnover of the Solvay group.

Solvay is committed to the development and manufacturing of specialty polymers, in a drive to offer the world’s broadest range of high performance and ultra-high performance materials. However, the strategic fit of SEP’s polypropylene compounding activities has become limited within Solvay’s Plastics Sector because, among other reasons, the Group completed the divestiture of its polypropylene resin production in 2001.

December 14, 2007 Solvay

Solvay Indupa will produce bioethanol-based vinyl in Brasil & considers state-of-the-art power generation in Argentina

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Derived from Sugar Cane and Salt

Solvay announces today that the Board of its affiliate Solvay Indupa has approved a further USD 135 million investment program to expand and increase the competitiveness of its vinyls production plant of Santo Andre, Brazil. This second stage of expansion, following the plan announced in August 2006, comprises the creation of an integrated plant to produce ethylene with ethanol originating from sugar cane. Ethylene is one of the two main feedstocks needed to manufacture polyvinyl chloride (PVC) - together with chlorine, which is produced through a salt-based electrolysis process.
Santo Andre would be the first industrial project in the Americas implementing renewable resources for the production of PVC. This innovation will prevent the emission of large quantities of C02 into the atmosphere.
Solvay Indupa’s ambition is to complete the expansion of Santo Andre by 2010. The plant would then have an installed capacity of 360,000 tons/year of PVC; 360,000 tons /year of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), 235,000 tons/year of Caustic Soda and 60,000 tons/year of bio-ethylene.

Solvay Indupa is also studying with Argentinean energy group Albanesi S.A. the construction of a 165 megawatt combined cycle electrical power plant on Solvay Indupa’s site in Bahia Blanca, Argentina. The project would require an investment of USD 135 million and would provide for a reliable and competitive coverage of the site’s entire energy needs.

Solvay Indupa, a company of the Solvay group, is one of the most important petrochemical companies in the Mercosur. Its main products are PVC resins and Caustic Soda. Solvay Indupa has its main offices in Buenos Aires, Argentina and two industrial sites: in Bahia Blanca (Argentina) and Santo Ande(Brazil). Solvay holds 70.1% of Solvay Indupa, which is listed on the Buenos Aires stock market.

Solvay Indupa has two industrial complexes: one located in Bahia Blanca Petrochemical Pole, in Argentina , producing 210,000 ton/year of PVC and 180,000 tons/year of Sodium hydroxide; and the other located in the industrial complex in Santo André ,Brazil , where it produces 240,000 tons/year of PVC and 100,000 tons/year of Sodium hydroxide.

2008/10/1 Solvay

Belgian Solvay to convert French chlor-alkali unit to membrane

Belgium's Solvay will invest Eur55 million ($78 million) at its chlor-alkali production site at Tavaux, France to transform its mercury-based electrolysis process to membrane technology.

The European chlor-alkali industry has a longstanding voluntary agreement through its industry body, Euro Chlor, to convert chlor-alkali plants from mercury to the more efficient membrane technology. The final phase-out is due to complete by 2020.

Last year membrane overtook mercury as the leading chlor-alkali technology, accounting for some 43% of production against 38% for mercury-based plants.

September 29, 2008 Solvay

Solvay invests EUR 55 milion in reduced electricity consumption and lower environmental impact of its electrolytic unit at Tavaux (F)Launch of membrane-based electrolytic technology

2008/10/20　Solvay

Solvay acquires Alexandria Sodium Carbonate company in Egypt
“Expansion into growing Egyptian, Middle Eastern and North-African markets”

Solvay announces today that it has entered into a final agreement for the acquisition of the acquisition of 100% of Alexandria Sodium Carbonate Company (ASCC) from Holding Company for Chemical Industries (HCCI), an Egyptian State-owned holding company. The operation is part of Solvay’s geographical expansion strategy and will allow the Group to attend to the growing needs of Egyptian consumers and to support the projects of its customers in the fast-growing Middle-Eastern and North-African (MENA) markets.

Solvay had emerged as the preferred bidder as a result of the final auction which the Egyptian authorities organized on March 27, 2008 - valuing ASCC at 760 million Egypt pounds (EUR 100 million).

ASCC produces both sodium carbonate ソーダ灰 and quicklime 生石灰; it is Egypt’s only sodium carbonate producer and primarily serves the domestic market. ASCC’s plant was erected in 1974 near the city of Alexandria. It was thoroughly modernized at the end of the 1990s and currently has a nameplate production capacity of 130,000 metric tons of soda ash.

“With this acquisition, Solvay gains a privileged access to the very dynamic Egyptian market,” commented Christine Tahon, Managing Director of Solvay’s Strategic Business Unit Soda Ash and Related Products. “Solvay will continue the development initiated by HCCI and ASCC, which aims at rapidly increasing annual production capacity to 200,000 metric tons of sodium carbonate. In the longer term, Solvay considers producing up to 500,000 tons per year at the Alexandria plant, to serve not only Egypt but also the vibrant Middle-Eastern and North-African markets by using the facilities at the port of Alexandria,” added Tahon.

October 10, 2010

Solvay will expand compounding capacity for specialty polymers in China
　　EUR 21 million investment in new capacity to satisfy surging demand 江蘇省常熟市

Solvay announces today that it has decided to build a specialty polymers compounding plant at its site in Changshu in the province of Jiangsu, China. Start-up of the plant is expected in the last quarter of 2012. The plant will satisfy the growing demand for specialty polymers in China and requires the investment of EUR 21 million.
The compounding plant will serve the fast growing markets in China for electronics, automotive, consumer and industrial applications and will initially start producing compounds of Amodel(R) polyphthalamide (PPA), Ixef(R) polyarylamide (PARA) and Kalix(R) (modified PARA). The facility will be fully adaptable for future expansion for both overall capacity and for other high performance and fluorinated polymers.

ソルベイでは、燃料システムに適したプラスチックとして、Amodel ポリフタルアミド（PPA）および Ixef ポリアリールアミド（PARA）の二つの高機能性プラスチックファミリーを提供しています。
これらのプラスチックが本来持つバリア性と耐燃料性が他の特徴的な性質と組み合わされ、お客様が必要とする性能を実現します。
Amodelは従来の液晶ポリマーやポリフェニレンスルフィドなどのスーパーエンプラでは両立できなかった高耐熱と高強度をより低コストで提供できる、とてもユニークな半結晶性エンジニアリングプラスチックです。
Ixef PARA は、卓越したバリア特性と多種多様な燃料への耐性という点で、アモデル PPA に類似しています。重要な相違点としては、lxef PARA はより低い加工温度を持つため、将来性に富む新しいポリエチレン・コプロセッシング技術を利用することができ、これにより OEM メーカーはよりコスト効率の高い方法で規制要件への対応を図ることができます。

“Our high-end specialty polymers are used in an increasing number of applications in this very dynamic region of the world. We are looking forward providing additional supply flexibility by compounding in closer proximity to our expanding customer base and providing them with more plastics with more performance,” says George Corbin, Senior Executive Vice-President of Solvay Group and President of Solvay Advanced Polymers, one of the entities of Solvay's Specialty Polymers Strategic Business Unit.
“This investment clearly illustrates Solvay's strategy to enlarge its industrial base in fast moving markets such as China. Sales of Specialty Polymers in Asia were above 25% of total sales in the first half of this year and we see a growing trend,” adds Augusto di Donfrancesco, General Manager of the Strategic Business Unit Specialty Polymers.

June 23, 2011 Solvay

Solvay to build large specialty polymers production plant in China to continue serving fast growing demand

Solvay will invest about EUR 120 million to produce its high value-added products SOLEF(R) PVDF and TECNOFLON(R) FKM and their essential VF2 monomer in China

Solvay announced today it has launched a project to build a specialty polymers production plant for SOLEF(R) Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF), TECNOFLON(R) Fluoroelastomers (FKM) and their essential monomer VF2(フッ化ビニリデン) in China to satisfy the growing demand for these high value-added specialty polymers in Asia.

The plant will be built at Solvay's industrial site in Changshu in the province of Jiangsu 江蘇省常熟市 and is scheduled to become operational at the beginning of 2014. It requires the investment of EUR 120 million and will significantly boost Solvay's global production capacity for these specialty polymers.

The TECNOFLON FKM product family is used for demanding sealing applications in aggressive chemical and high heat environments where high purity and long service life are essential such as those found in the automotive, aerospace, oil & gas and energy markets. Typical end use products include O-rings, seals, gaskets and complex molded parts. Demand growth for TECNOFLON is markedly driven by the buoyant China automotive market.

SOLEF PVDF can withstand heat and pressure, aggressive chemicals, mechanical stress and abrasive particles in varied applications and is widely used in Lithium-ion batteries, the chemical industry, membranes for water purification and oil & gas extraction.

The new plant in Changshu will be built next to the compounding plant under construction for Amodel(R) polyphthalamide (PPA), Ixef(R) polyarylamide (PARA) and Kalix(R) (modified PARA) which is scheduled to become operational in the last quarter of 2012.

“This new production plant will enable Solvay to capture a part of the huge growth potential in this exciting and dynamic region. We'll bring our customers more high value-added polymers which will help them improve their environmental footprint and sustainability profile,” comments Jacques van Rijckevorsel, Group General Manager of Solvay's Plastics Sector and member of the Executive Committee.
“The plant in Changshu will transform the site into a strong industrial base for fluorinated polymers and their essential strategic feedstock in China. We can this way leverage the Chinese Fluorine supply chain, be closer to our customers and diversify our supply basis by adding a new production base for both SOLEFR PVDF and Fluoroelastomers TECNOFLON,” adds Augusto Di Donfrancesco, Senior Executive Vice President and General Manager of Solvay's Global Business Unit Specialty Polymers.

2002年7月、ソルベイグループはフッ素化学品製造会社であるAUSIMONTをその親会社のMONTEDISONより買収しました。ビジネス戦略上の理由と大きくなった組織のコア事業強化にフォーカスするとのビジョンにより、アウジモントはソルベイのフッ素ポリマー事業の一員となりました。

ソルベイ ソレクシス社は，アウジモント社とソルベイ フルオロポリマー社両社の合弁の結果，2003年1月1日に設立された会社です。

Solexisの社名の由来はSOLvayと EXcellence In Scienceを組み合わせたものです。ソルベイとアウジモントのフッ素化学事業のポートフォリオの組み合わせは、高成長・高付加価値のフッ素スペシャリティ分野でのソルベイのポジションを2倍に押し上げました。

1. [フッ素オイル]：Fomblin（PFPE）、2. [フッ素化液]：Galden（PFPE）、3. [フッ素化液]：H‐Galden（HFPE）、
4. [フッ素系表面処理剤および中間体]：Fluorolink（PFPE誘導体）

5. [フッ素ゴム]：Tecnoflon（FKM，FFKM

6. [四フッ化エチレン樹脂]：Algoflon PTFE（PTFE）

7. [パーフルオロアルコキシ樹脂]：Algoflon PFA（PFA）、8. [パーフルオロアルコキシ樹脂]：Algoflon MFA（MFA）
9. [アモルファス樹脂]：Algoflon AD（TFE/TTD）、10. [エチレンおよびクロロトリフルオロエチレン共重合体樹脂]：Halar（ECTFE）

11. [ポリビニリデンフルオライド樹脂]：Solef・Hylar（PVDF）

12. [フッ素系中間体]
13. [フッ素系モノマー]

October 05, 2011 Solvay　

Solvay commissions the largest hydrogen peroxide plant in the world in Thailand
New world-class HP plant is serving mainly as dedicated raw material source for propylene oxide production

Solvay announced today that MTP HPJV (Thailand) Ltd, its hydrogen peroxide joint venture with The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), has successfully commissioned the largest hydrogen peroxide (HP) plant in the world. The production process of the new plant in Map Ta Phut, Thailand, is based on Solvay’s proprietary, high-yield hydrogen peroxide technology that enables such unique, large-scale plants to benefit from advantages in both specific investment and production costs. Solvay’s HP technology also brings significant environmental advantages such as reductions in energy consumption and in waste water.

The plant has a capacity of over 330,000 tons per year of hydrogen peroxide at 100% concentration and serves mainly as a captive raw material source for the manufacture of propylene oxide (PO) by Dow and Siam Cement Group (SCG). Propylene oxide is primarily used to produce propylene glycol, polyurethanes and glycol ethers. It is the second world-scale HP plant dedicated to PO production, the first being the 230,000 tons HP plant (Antwerp, Belgium) commissioned at the end of 2008, which serves a Dow and BASF HPPO plant. Producing PO with HP offers unique and sizeable economic and environmental benefits compared with conventional propylene oxide production technologies.

Although primarily constructed to provide HP for the Dow/SCG HPPO plant, up to a quarter of the new HP plant’s production will also be supplied to Solvay Peroxythai Limited (SPX). SPX is the leading manufacturer of HP in South-East Asia and for over 20 years has been supplying products throughout the Asian region including unique, high purity grades to the food and electronic industries. This new project at Map Ta Phut will allow SPX to more than double its current capacity, consolidating its industry leadership in the region and offering greater long-term security of supply for its customers.

“This new world-class plant gives Solvay the means to bring its Hydrogen Peroxide business to a significantly higher level within this fast growing region and consolidate its position as technology leader”, said Eric Mignonat, General Manager Strategic Development Unit Essential Chemicals at Solvay. “We look forward to serving the very dynamic market and customers”, he added.

　

2012/7/18 Solvay　

Solvay starts the production of specialty polymers compounds in China

Solvay announced today that its specialty polymers compounding plant located in Changshu常熟, province of Jiangsu in China, has started to serve the local growing demand for specialty polymers compounds. The plant is mainly serving China's customers in the electronics, automotive, consumer and industrial applications markets with compounds of Amodelpolyphthalamide (PPA)® , Ixefpolyarylamide (PARA)® and Kalix® (modified PARA).

This plant required an investment of EUR 21 million and is fully adaptable for future expansion of overall capacity as well as production of compounds made out of other high performance polymers. It is adjacent to another specialty polymers plant which is currently under construction for the production of SOLEF Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)®, TECNOFLON Fluoroelastomers (FKM)® and their essential monomer VF2.

“The start-up of our compounding plant in Changshu is an important step in the development plan of Solvay's growing industrial base in China where the Group is committed to increase its customer base. Sales of Specialty Polymers in Asia have already increased to over 30% of total sales and we see this trend continuing,” comments Augusto di Donfrancesco, General Manager of the Global Business Unit Specialty Polymers.

参考　隣接工場　2011/7/1 　Solvay、中国にフッ素化学品プラント建設

September 18, 2012 Solvay

Solvay increases its specialty polymers production capacity by 70% in India
High quality and performance drive market acceptance and demand

Solvay announced today a capacity increase of 70% at its Panoli plant, India, for the production of its high performance polymers KetaSpire polyetheretherketone (PEEK)® and AvaSpire® polyaryletherketones (PAEK). Panoli is Solvay's largest plant worldwide for these two innovative ultra performance polymers that tower at the top of the plastics performance pyramid. Nearly half of this capacity increase has already been implemented and successfully brought on-line. The second phase of the project will be completed by mid 2013 and will allow the plant to continue to satisfy growth in demand.

2005年12月、SolvayはインドのGhardaからポリマー部門を買収する契約に調印した。

2006/9/8 PESとPEEK

The ultra-high performance of KetaSpire® polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and AvaSpire® polyaryletherketones (PAEK) along with their ease of processing provide substantial value for design engineers. The products are used in a diverse range of applications spanning many industries including aeronautic, automotive (e.g. mechanical components in cars), healthcare (medical equipment and reusable medical devices), electronics, oil & gas exploration and production, and process industries such as semiconductor manufacturing (chip testing and wafer processing).

“Solvay is delighted with the growth of its line of polyketone materials and we are very excited to be adding capacity for this business that we launched just a few years ago,” commented Augusto Di Donfrancesco, General Manager of the Global Business Unit Specialty Polymers. “Our focus from the start was to deliver products with consistently high quality and performance and we believe this has been a key driver in the rapid market acceptance of our KetaSpire® PEEK resins. With AvaSpire® PAEK, we are impressed with how innovative design engineers are capitalizing on the entirely new performance dimensions offered by these materials”, added Chris Wilson, Vice President for the Spire Ultra Polymers business.

With this investment, the Group reaches a new milestone in realizing its ambition to double its sales in India by 2015.

Last week Solvay announced it is acquiring a controlling stake in Sunshield Chemicals, an Indian company specializing in surfactants, and some months ago it opened a major innovation centre in Savli (Gujarat State). The Group has been doing business in India since 2000 through its Novecare, Engineering Plastics and Specialty Polymers activities. With seven production sites and about 900 employees, the Group generated net sales of EUR 180 million in India in 2011.
　

2012/11/8 Solvay

Solvay inaugurates highly dispersible silica capacity expansion in France

Solvay inaugurated today during an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Collonges-au-Mont-d’Or site in France its highly dispersible silica capacity production expansion and its modernized R&D facility. This investment follows a similar volume expansion last year in the US and the start-up in 2010 of a new plant in China. These three investments required in total EUR 74 million.

“Our worldwide highly dispersible silica production capacity now exceeds 400,000 tons,” commented Tom Benner, President of Solvay’s Silica Global Business Unit. “Demand for highly dispersible silica is pulled by a growing need for safer and more energy-efficient tires and the new European Tire labeling legislation applicable from November1st,” he added. “We can now meet our customers’ needs globally as this new legislation takes effect.”

Solvay’s benchmark range Zeosil® and Zeosil® Premium highly dispersible silica is used by major tire manufacturers worldwide in the production of energy-saving tires providing up to 30% reduction in rolling resistance, thereby decreasing fuel consumption by up to 7%, while improving traction.

The investment in Collonges includes important upgrades in control technology, ensuring the site has world-class performance for quality and environmental protection. Equipped with the latest technologies, the modernized R&D facility can now speed up innovation, and offers customers full support for development and testing of innovative silica formulations by manufacturing improved end products that meet the challenges of sustainable mobility. “The refurbishment provides more flexibility, increases productivity, and raises our best in class standard, enabling us to better serve our customers worldwide,” added Site Manager Sabine Gouvernel.

Solvay’s Silica Global Business Unit is the inventor and leading global provider of highly dispersible silica, which finds its main application in the production of fuel-saving tires. Solvay’s silica is also used in a wide range of other key markets such as industrial applications, personal care and nutrition.

2012/2

Rhodia increases silica capacity

The inventor and leading world producer of highly dispersible silica, Rhodia has increased capacity at its plant at Chicago Heights (Illinois, USA) with a 16 000 tons extension, upping by one third its capacity in the United States. Rhodia’s highly dispersible Zeosil® silica is used in tire treads to save energy. It reduces rolling resistance by 25%, decreasing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 7%, and improves traction on wet ground.
Highly dispersible silica is also used in battery separators and other key markets.
Rhodia produces this component on eight sites, the most recent to come into operation being Qingdao in China, a little over a year ago. An expansion is also being built in France at Collonges au Mont d’Or. It will be completed during 2012. These three investments (United States, China and France) increase by over 40% Rhodia’s production capacity for this product, allowing it to respond in a sustainable fashion to growing demand for energy-saving tires.

2011/4/12　Solvay、Rhodiaを友好的買収　

2013/5/7 Ineos

Solvay and INEOS join forces to create a world-class PVC producer
Signature of a letter of intent to create a 50-50 joint venture with combined sales of EUR 4.3 bn

Solvay and INEOS today announce that they have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to combine their European chlorvinyls activities in a proposed 50-50 joint venture. The combination would form a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) producer ranking among the top three worldwide. It would build on the strengths of both our companies’ industrial assets, the skills of our teams and the complementarity of our geographical presence in order to enhance competitiveness.

The joint venture would have pro-forma net sales of EUR 4.3 billion and REBITDA(1) of EUR 257 million, based on 2012 figures. The combined business would have around 5,650 employees in 9 countries and would pool each company’s assets across the entire chlorvinyls chain. This includes PVC, which is the third most-used plastic in the world, caustic soda and chlorine derivatives. RusVinyl, Solvay’s Russian joint venture in chlorvinyls with Sibur, is excluded from the transaction.

“This proposed partnership is an ambitious and value-creating industrial project. We want to create a world-class player that will benefit from the high-quality assets of both companies. The joint venture will improve the competitiveness of its operations in a very challenging environment regarding feedstock and energy costs in Europe. We are convinced that this is the right project to secure, for the long term, the development of Solvay’s European chlorvinyls activities, of its employees and its plants,” says Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, CEO of Solvay. “Furthermore, this transaction would substantially change our portfolio of activities and allow us to accelerate Solvay’s transformation into a chemical group focused on growth and high-margin businesses.”

“This agreement will result in the creation of a truly competitive and sustainable business that will provide significant benefit to customers such as reliable access to PVC,” said Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman, INEOS AG. “The newly combined business, which will be of world scale, will be able to better respond to rapidly changing European markets and to match increasing competition from global producers."

The joint venture would generate significant synergies thanks to:
　　・shared best practices that improve production processes, particularly to optimize energy consumption;
　　・streamlined product mix and increased specialization of plants;
　　・optimized raw material and energy purchases and usage;
　　・reduced logistics and transport costs;
　　・and combined marketing and sales forces.

Solvay would contribute its vinyl activities, which are part of Solvin(2), as well as its Chlor Chemicals business, spread across seven fully integrated production sites in Europe. These sites include five electrolysis units converted into more energy efficient membrane technology, which supports sustainable production of PVC.

Kerling, the subsidiary of INEOS and the largest PVC producer in Europe, would contribute its chlorvinyls and related businesses that include three modern and large-scale membrane electrolysis units. These assets are based on ten sites in seven European countries.

The LOI provides exit mechanisms under which INEOS would acquire Solvay’s 50% interest in the joint venture for a value based on a mid-cycle REBITDA(1) multiple of 5.5x. The exit arrangements would have to be exercised between four and six years from the joint venture’s formation, after which INEOS would be the sole owner of the business. Solvay would be entitled to receive upfront cash payments of EUR 250 million upon completion of the transaction.

The proposed transaction is subject to the applicable information/consultation procedures with employee representatives in the countries involved. After completion of such procedures, the parties would enter into legally-binding agreements that would contain customary closing conditions, including anti-trust approval from the relevant authorities. Until completion of the transaction, the occurrence and timing of which is dependent on such approval and procedures, Solvay and INEOS will continue to run their PVC businesses separately.

(1) Recurring EBITDA
(2) Solvin is a joint-venture between Solvay (75%) and BASF (25%)

----

Owned 75% by Solvay and 25% by BASF, SolVin is an uncontested leader on the vinyls market. SolVin covers the entire vinyl chain, from salt to chlorine and soda through dichlorethane, PVDC and vinyl. Our products are sold from our manufacturing plants in Belgium, Germany, Italy, France and Spain and through commercial agencies elsewhere in Europe and on export markets. The even geographic distribution of these sites enables us to optimize the flow of raw materials and finished products.

1400 employees work in this motivating environment of teamwork, open communication, knowledge sharing and leading edge technology. At SolVin, clearly defined industrial, commercial and human values support a long-term and highly innovative sustainable development strategy. Constant investment in product improvement and advanced production technology profile SolVin as the long-term partner of choice for vinyl processors.

September 2, 2013　Solvay　

Solvay and Sadara joint venture begins construction of world-scale hydrogen peroxide plant in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Hydrogen Peroxide Company, a newly created joint venture between Sadara Chemical Company (Sadara) and the Solvay Group (Solvay), announced today that they have begun constructing one of the world’s largest hydrogen peroxide (HP) plants in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The plant will provide a key raw material to Sadara and will strengthen Solvay’s global leadership position in HP technology and markets.

With a capacity exceeding 300,000 metric tons per year (MT/yr) and a planned start up in 2015, the mega plant is being built at Sadara’s chemical complex in Jubail Industrial City II. It will be the first HP facility in the Kingdom.

Sadara will use output from the plant as a raw material for the HP-to-propylene oxide (HPPO) manufacturing plant on the site, thereby supporting its propylene oxide (PO) derivative units that produce polyols and propylene glycol.

For Solvay, this will be its third joint venture mega HP plant following the 230,000 MT/yr plant in Antwerp, Belgium, a JV with The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) and BASF, and the 330,000 MT/yr mega plant in Map Ta Phut, Thailand, a JV with Dow.

最初のものは2009年末に稼働したアントワープの23万トンプラントで、SolvayとBASFのJVにDowが参加してパートナーシップを設立した。DowとBASFのJVの30万トンHPPO用に供給している。

2009/3/12　ダウとBASFのHPPO法ＰＯ生産開始

Solvayは2011年10月5日、DowとのJVのMTP HPJV (Thailand) がタイのMap Ta Phutで世界最大の過酸化水素工場をスタートさせたと発表した。

能力は33万トン(100%ベース）で、DowとSiam Cement のJVのMTP HPPO Manufacturing のPO（HPPO）の製造用に供給される。

2007/8/3　Dow と Solvay、タイにHPPO用の過酸化水素製造のJV設立

2011/10/13 Solvayの世界最大の過酸化水素工場、タイで生産開始

他に、
Solvayは2009年10月8日、Huatai Group（华泰集团）と過酸化水素製造JV、Shandong Huatai Interox Chemicalを設立すると発表した。
山東省東営市に年産5万トン設備を建設する。
（InteroxはSolvayの過酸化水素のCosmetic Gradeのブランド）

“We are delighted to be partnering with Solvay, a global leader in HP, to build this world scale plant to feed our PO, PO derivatives and Polyurethane business,” said Ziad Al-Labban, CEO of Sadara. “This partnership will provide us with a stable and reliable supply of a key raw material which is critical to support our Polyurethane-based customers and downstream value chains.”

“Solvay’s high-yield HP technology enables such unique, large scale plants to benefit from advantages in both specific investment and production costs,” said Pascal Juery, President of Solvay's Essential Chemicals business unit. “We are proud to establish the first HP manufacturing activity in the region with our leading technology and look forward to meeting future demand of the local HP market.”

2011/7/18

Solvay to form Joint Venture with Sadara to build Hydrogen Peroxide plant in Saudi Arabia

　

Solvay's high-yield hydrogen peroxide production plant to supply hydrogen peroxide for propylene oxide production at recently announced world-scale chemicals project
Solvay announced today that it has the intention to create a 50/50 joint venture with Sadara Chemical Company (itself a planned joint venture of Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) and The Dow Chemical Company (Dow)) for the construction and operation of a Hydrogen Peroxide Plant in Jubail industrial City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Scheduled to be operational in the second half of 2015, this new plant is intended to supply Hydrogen Peroxide (HP) as a raw material for the manufacture of propylene oxide (PO) by Sadara at its world-scale, fully integrated chemicals complex.

Propylene oxide is used to produce propylene glycol, polyurethanes and glycol ethers. Solvay will use its proprietary

　

2013/10/7 Solvay

Solvay to acquire U.S.-based Chemlogics, extending its oil & gas chemical solutions business

Acquisition highlights
- Optimal fit with Solvay Novecare’s products, technologies, customers and geographies, leading to significant share of fast-growing $8 billion U.S. oil & gas chemical market
- Fast-paced innovation model reinforcing R&D capabilities to enhance competitiveness and sustainability
Financial considerations
- Enterprise value of $1.3 billion (€1 billion), at 10.7x EBITDA and 8.7x net of tax benefit
- Double-digit EBITDA growth business; cash and EPS accretive from year one
- Solvay intends to issue hybrid bonds for approximately €1 billion to further strengthen balance sheet
Strategic impact
- Accelerates Solvay’s transformation into a group with higher growth, lower capital intensity and greater returns
- Increases exposure to favourable U.S. energy scenario and positions for future developments in emerging regions

presentation

As part of its ongoing transformation, Solvay announces today that it has signed an agreement to acquire privately-held Chemlogics for a total cash consideration of $1.345 billion. Adding the U.S.-based company to Solvay’s Novecare business unit will create a leader with an extensive portfolio of tailored chemical solutions for the fast-growing oil & gas market, serving stimulation, cementing, production and water management applications.

For Solvay Novecare, this acquisition will yield significant synergies thanks to a comprehensive offering of innovative products and technologies which enables oilfield service players worldwide to competitively and safely extract oil and gas while reducing water consumption. Chemlogics has shown annual double-digit EBITDA growth over the past five years, thanks to a fast-paced innovation model combined with a strong know-how and closeness to customers.

Horizontal drilling increases need for well stimulation activity (every 3-5 years) compared to vertical drilling (every ~20 years)

“This acquisition accelerates Solvay’s ongoing transformation towards an innovative chemical solution provider focused on high growth and strong margin businesses with a more balanced geographical and market presence,” said Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, Chief Executive Officer of Solvay. “Our expansion in the energy sector builds on our strategy to provide differentiated solutions addressing the sustainability challenges that society faces with an increasing number of consumers and scarce resources.”

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Paso Robles, California, Chemlogics reported last-twelve-month sales of around $500 million and has 277 employees. The company serves the needs of the oil and gas industry’s stimulation 坑井刺激 and cementing segments. All its assets are located in the U.S. and include three manufacturing sites with annual capacity exceeding 300 KT, eight formulation centers and six research and technical facilities.

Chemlogics’s expertise in friction reducers, non-emulsifiers and extraction technologies perfectly fit with Solvay Novecare’s know-how in surfactants, natural polymers and eco-friendly solvents. In addition, Chemlogics’ customer portfolio in the U.S. complements Novecare’s global customer base. Together, Novecare and Chemlogics will have a significant share of the dynamic $8 billion U.S. oil and gas exploration and production market.

Chemlogics’s enterprise value represents a multiple of 10.7x last-twelve-months EBITDA, and 8.7x including tax benefits*. Although the acquisition will be financed with available cash, Solvay intends to issue hybrid bonds** for approximately €1 billion which will further strengthen the Group’s balance sheet ahead of its refinancing of debt maturities from 2014 onwards. The acquisition will be cash and EPS accretive in the first year.
The completion of the transaction, expected before the end of this year, is subject to customary closing conditions, including U.S. anti-trust clearance.

* Net present value of cash tax benefit from intangibles amortization close to c. $250 million
** The intended hybrid bonds should be deeply subordinated debt with a target equity credit of 50 percent for rating agencies purposes

Solvay Novecare addresses the needs of a large number of applications: 界面活性剤が中心

- Beauty, Hair & Skin Care: Miracare® , Mirasheen®, Mirapol®, Polycare®, Jaguar®, Mackine® and Mackam®, cleansing and conditioning ingredients.
- Home & Fabric Care, Industrial & Institutional Cleaning: Repel®-O- Tex for laundry, Mackam®, Mackamine®, Mirapol® Surf-S for bathroom and kitchen surface cleaning.
- Agrochemicals: AgRho® and Geropon® bio-activators and the new eco-friendly solvent Rhodiasolv® Polarclean.
- Paints & Coatings: Rhodoline® and Rhodafac® performance additives.
- Industrial Applications & Metal Treatment: Rhodoclean®, Rhodasurf®, Supersol®, Antarox®, Rhodaterge® additives and processing aids. Rhodoval® for bitumen applications. Rhodiasolv® IRIS, Strip, Graff, Infinity: new eco-friendly and safe solvent-based solutions.
- Oilfield & Gas production, and Water treatment: Tolcide®, Aquarite®, Jaguar®, Mirataine®, Rhodapex® and Rhodasurf®.
- Phosphorus Specialties : Rhodaphos®, textile flame retardant Proban®.
　

2013/12/17 Braskem

Braskem announces acquisition of Solvay Indupa

The acquisition aims to strengthen the PVC and caustic soda chain

Braskem, the largest polymer producer in the Americas and the world leader in biopolymers, announced today the execution of an agreement with Grupo Solvay for the acquisition of 70.59% of the total and voting capital of Solvay Indupa S.A.I.C.

The acquisition confirms Braskem's commitment to develop the petrochemical and plastics industries in Brazil and South America by strengthening the vinyls chain and by its decision to continue investing to support the growth of its clients. It also establishes an industrial base in Argentina, a market in which Braskem already has maintained a commercial presence for over 20 years.

The transaction price is US$ 290 million. The consummation of the sales agreement will depend on prior analysis and approval by Brazil's antitrust agency CADE (Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica). Following the transaction's conclusion, Braskem will launch a public tender offer to non-controlling shareholders for the purchase of shares in Solvay Indupa on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange.

Solvay Indupa produces PVC and caustic soda and owns two integrated industrial facilities in Brazil and Argentina that enjoy privileged geographic positions close to South America's two major consumer markets. Created in 1948, Solvay Indupa has annual production capacity of 540 kton of PVC and 350 kton of caustic soda. Once the acquisition is finalized, Braskem will increase its annual production capacity to 1.25 million tons of PVC and 890 kton of caustic soda.

"Vinyls is a strategic market for our company. Braskem recently invested around R$ 1 billion in a PVC plant in the state of Alagoas, which was inaugurated in 2012, in order to meet the strong growth in demand for this resin associated with the growth in Brazil's infrastructure sector," said Carlos Fadigas, CEO of Braskem.

---

Solvay

Solvay announces today it has signed a binding agreement with Braskem, Brazil’s leading PVC producer, to sell its 70.59% stake in Solvay Indupa. This transaction comes after Solvay classified Solvay Indupa as an “Asset held for sale” from the fourth quarter of 2012.

SolvayとINEOSは2013年5月7日、欧州の塩ビ事業を統合し、50/50のJVとする覚書に調印した。
今後、従業員の代表と協議した後、正式契約を締結する。

Solvayの統合対象は欧州の塩ビ事業だけであり、アルゼンチンとブラジルに工場を持つ子会社のSolvay Indupa とタイのJVのVinythai はSolvayに残る。

2013/5/15　Solvay、欧州塩ビ事業をINEOSと統合、将来塩ビ事業から撤退　

2007/12/21　ソルベー、ブラジルでバイオベースのエチレン製造

Santo Andre工場の既存能力は苛性ソーダ10万トン、VCMとPVCが各24万トンだが、増設後は苛性ソーダ23.5万トン、エチレンが6万トン、VCMとPVCが各36万トンとなる。

アルゼンチンのBahia Blanca 工場の能力は苛性ソーダ18万トン、VCMとPVCが各21万トンとなっている。

February 28th, 2013

Solvay and Ineos submit revised remedy package to European Commission clearance process

Further to the earlier decision of the European Commission to continue its evaluation of the proposed 50/50 Joint Venture between Solvay and INEOS in a Phase II investigation, the parties have jointly agreed to put forward a revised remedy package to address any competition concerns that have been raised by the European Commission.

2013/5/15　Solvay、欧州塩ビ事業をINEOSと統合、将来塩ビ事業から撤退　
---

Jan 22, 2014

Ineos-Solvay PVC Joint Venture Gets EU Antitrust Complaint

Ineos Group Holdings Ltd. and Solvay SA (SOLB), Europe’s two biggest makers of polyvinyl chloride, received an antitrust complaint from European Union regulators over concerns about a 4.3 billion-euro ($5.8 billion) joint venture of their PVC units.

“We’ve received the statement of objections,” Richard Longden, a spokesman for Ineos based in Rolle, Switzerland, said in a telephone interview today. “It’s part of due process and we continue to work with the European Commission.”

The authority opened an in-depth investigation into the deal in November, saying it would remove a key competitor for bleach and suspension-PVC resin used to make pipes and window frames. The EU has to rule on the transaction by April 4.

The proposed combination, announced last year, would allow the companies to cut costs in areas from transport to marketing and raise profitability amid a European industry suffering from inflated raw material and energy costs. The PVC market is facing overcapacity and weak demand in Europe, prompting companies in the labor-intensive industry to explore deals. Solvay has said it plans to exit the PVC venture at a later stage.
Caroline Jacobs, a spokeswoman for Brussels-based Solvay, said the company would thoroughly examine the EU’s objections, which she said was the “next normal step” in the EU review. Solvay fell 0.65 percent to 105.5 euros in Brussels.
Receiving a statement of objections doesn’t prevent a deal from winning EU approval. Companies can defend transactions in writing or at an oral hearing and can propose concessions to eliminate EU concerns before the agency makes a final decision on whether a bid would damage competition.
The deal will combine the two leading suppliers of S-PVC in northwest Europe and of sodium hypochlorite bleach in Belgium and Netherlands, the EU said in a statement last year. The S-PVC market in Europe is worth 3.2 billion euros, it said.

The proposed remedy package, which was submitted to the European Commission yesterday, comprises the divestment of the PVC plants at Schkopau (Germany), Beek (The Netherlands) and Mazingarbe (France) along with the chlor-alkali, EDC and VCM assets at Tessenderlo (Belgium). These facilities are all currently operated by INEOS and are strategically important within the European chemicals sector. They have the ability to compete as successful stand-alone businesses under third party ownership.

The European Commission will now consider this remedy package alongside any further market testing it wishes to undertake ahead of making a final decision. Assuming such asset disposals are required to obtain Commission clearance this would be subject to full consultation with employee representatives.

INEOS and Solvay will continue to run their businesses separately until completion of the transaction, which is dependent on the above approvals and procedures.

November 12, 2014 Solvay　

Solvay takes note of Brazilian competition authority’s rejection of Braskem acquisition of Solvay Indupa

Solvay has taken note of the Brazilian competition authority’s (CADE) decision to reject the intended acquisition of Solvay’s 70.59 percent majority stake in Solvay Indupa by Brazilian chemical producer Braskem. The decision was taken during a public hearing held earlier today.

While Solvay is awaiting details of the decision, it confirms that its strategic direction remains unaffected. Solvay will, as soon as possible, examine alternative options to sell Solvay Indupa which is South America’s second-largest PVC producer and fourth-largest caustic soda producer.

2014/1/11 Braskem のSolvay Indupa 買収に障害

January 5, 2015 Solvay

Solvay completes acquisition of Ryton® PPS, expanding its specialty polymers offering

Solvay has completed the acquisition of the Ryton® PPS (polyphenylene sulphide) business from U.S.-based Chevron Phillips Chemical Company for $220 million, enlarging its high-performance polymers offering and entering a solid growth market.

Solvay’s Global Business Unit (GBU) Specialty Polymers has bought two Ryton® PPS resin manufacturing units in Borger, Texas, a pilot plant and R&D laboratories in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, as well as a compounding plant in Kallo-Beveren, Belgium with a total of about 200 employees joining the Group. Chevron Philips Chemical’s compounding unit in La Porte, Texas, will provide temporary tolling services to Solvay, allowing for an orderly transition with the Ryton® customer base.

Solvay Specialty Polymers, which has the industry’s broadest product portfolio, will access new business segments with innovative and demanding applications in transportation, automotive in particular, in electronics and in filter bags. The acquisition is part of Solvay's strategic development to enhance its specialized solutions, deliver higher growth and greater returns while reducing cyclicality. The Ryton® PPS businesses will be consolidated into Solvay's accounts as of January 1, 2015.

(Chevron Phillips Chemical)

“While the Ryton® PPS business is a better strategic fit for Solvay, we remain committed to our sites in Borger, Texas and Bartlesville, Oklahoma,” said Ron Corn, senior vice president of specialties, aromatics and styrenics for Chevron Phillips Chemical. Chevron Phillips Chemical will continue to manufacture high-quality specialty chemicals at its Borger plant and provide full-scale petrochemical and polymer research including new catalyst development, product and process development, and commercial process support at our research and development center in Bartlesville. Recently, Chevron Phillips Chemical announced plans to build a new polyethylene pilot plant at its research center in Bartlesville.

----

2014/9/4　Chevron Phillips Chemical

Chevron Phillips Chemical Signs Agreement to Sell its Ryton® PPS Business to Solvay

Chevron Phillips Chemical Company today announces that it has signed an agreement to sell its Ryton® polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) business to Solvay Specialty Polymers USA, LLC for $220 million.

“As the inventors of the PPS production technology, Chevron Phillips Chemical is proud of the success story of Ryton® PPS and how the business has served the industry for over 40 years,” said Ron Corn, senior vice president of specialties, aromatics and styrenics for Chevron Phillips Chemical. “And to ensure its long-term success, Chevron Phillips Chemical determined its stand-alone PPS business is a better strategic fit for Solvay, a company with a strong engineering polymers portfolio.”

1967年にPhillips Petroleum社のEdmondsとHillが、パラジクロルベンゼンと硫化ソーダから合成する方法を発明、1972年Phillips Petroleum により最初に工業化された。（＊商標名“Ryton^®”）

日本では、大日本インキ化学がPhillips Petroleum 社からベース樹脂を輸入し、ガラス繊維補強材や充填剤を混練し成形用コンパウンドとして市場開発を進めた。
1984年11月のPhillips Petroleum 社の基本特許の失効後、大日本インキを含む数社が相次いでPPS国産化プラントを稼働させた。

As part of the transaction, Solvay intends to purchase Chevron Phillips Chemical’s Ryton® PPS resin manufacturing assets in Borger, Texas, its pilot plant along with its PPS research and development assets in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, its compounding plant in Kallo-Beveren, Belgium, and certain intellectual property relating to Chevron Phillips Chemical’s Ryton® PPS business. The compounding plant in La Porte, Texas, will remain part of Chevron Phillips Chemical and will be operated by Chevron Phillips Chemical exclusively for Solvay for some period of time.

“In addition, the Ryton® PPS business currently has about 200 employees and most will have the opportunity to join Solvay,” said Corn. “We intend to work with Solvay to enable safe and reliable operations and a smooth business transition for customers and employees.”

Subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, the completion of the transaction is expected in the fourth quarter of 2014.

------

Plastics Today 2014/9/4

Global demand for PPS compounds continues to grow at 6-8% annually according to Japanese supplier DIC Corp., which recently announced it intent to expand capacity in China, where the market is growing even faster. Interestingly, DIC acquired the European PPS compounding business of Solvay in September 2011.

Toray Industries is also expanding its PPS resin business through construction of a polymerization plant in Korea, while new entrants Teijin and its Korean partner SK Chemicals have set up a joint venture to develop and market polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) resins and compounds in Ulsan, South Korea. Construction of a 12,000-tonnes/year PPS resin plant began in October 2013.
Celanese Corporation (Dallas, TX), meanwhile, is beefing up its compounding capabilities in China.

　

February 10, 2015 Solvay　

Solvay unveils Efficium® a breakthrough Highly Dispersible Silica for productivity and performance of automotive tires

Solvay Silica is unveiling Efficium® a breakthrough Highly Dispersible Silica (HDS) , an innovative reinforcing filler which allows for higher productivity and greater flexibility in producing green passenger car and truck tire compounds.

The unveiling is taking place this week at the Tire Technology Expo in Cologne, Germany.

Highly Dispersible Silica is a benchmark for energy-saving and high-performance tires for passenger cars. Efficium® offers breakthrough benefits for the automotive industry, allowing for increased productivity due to its impact on mixing and extrusion throughput and adding flexibility thanks to its silanization control and reformulation opportunities without compromising on rolling resistance, wear and grip. Efficium® strongly facilitates the conversion from carbon black to HDS compounds.

“We have recognized the needs of tire manufacturers for a more cost-competitive silica technology to differentiate their product offer with an innovative solution that also supports demanding energy efficient and safety requirements. Efficium® Highly Dispersible Silica opens up the answers to these needs on a superior property balance over other silica or silica-based solutions” said Christian Léger, Global Business Director of Solvay’s Silica Global Business Unit. “Efficium® provides a unique and flexible solution to meet the global needs of sustainable mobility”.

Efficium®‘s wider operating window is characterized by lower Mooney viscosity, lower temperature sensitivity, better dimensional stability during extrusion and extended storage life of uncured rubber. All of these advantages result in a more versatile product for a broader range of passenger car, commercial vehicles and heavy-duty truck applications.

”The benefits of Efficium® have been analyzed and confirmed at industrial scale under realistic conditions. Both passenger car and heavy-truck were manufactured tires then road tested with substantial results,” said Jean-Francis Spindler, Research & Innovation Director of Solvay Silica. “For truck tire tread compounds, Efficium® HDS delivers significant productivity benefits of up to 30 percent in mixing and extrusion, while rolling resistance and wear meet and even exceed reference levels.”

Tire makers are experts when it comes to balancing conflicting criteria, seeking to combine minimum rolling resistance, optimum wet grip and cost-effective production. Efficium® offers all these characteristics in one package that addresses productivity and performance without compromise and answering the needs of all stakeholders.

To meet expected demand beyond current trial and testing by major tire manufacturers, Solvay is making Efficium® HDS globally available from three different production sites consistently with its business continuity management policy.

Solvay Silica is the inventor of Highly Dispersible Silica (HDS) in the 1990's and a key player in energy-saving tires. Its innovative solutions provide tire manufacturers worldwide with the means to progress in sustainable mobility. With nine manufacturing sites and four R&I laboratories on as many continents, Silica also offers a range of applications in personal care, such as toothpastes and exfoliating beads, in animal nutrition, high-performance membranes and in rubber reinforcement.

シリカはRhodiaの事業であったが、2011年にSolvayがRhodiaを買収した。

2011/4/12　Solvay、Rhodiaを友好的買収　

韓国ではSolvayはRhodia Silica Koreaで高分散性シリカを含む沈降シリカを生産している。

April 27, 2015 Solvay

Solvay launches silica plant construction in South Korea to meet energy saving tire demand

Solvay today launched the construction of its Highly Dispersible Silica (HDS) production plant in Gunsan, South Korea, to address growing demand in Asia for energy saving tires and to develop innovative HDS grades.

In the presence of the Head of Jun-Book province, the mayor of Gunsan and other local dignitaries, Solvay officially broke ground for the construction of the plant, which with an annual capacity of more than 80 000 tons, is expected to be operational in the next two years.

Solvay’s Global Business Unit (GBU) Silica will produce its latest and most advanced gradesof high performance silica including Efficium^®. This latest generation of Highly Dispersible Silica allows for higher productivity and greater flexibility in producing energy saving passenger car and truck tire compounds.

“This new production platform will be dedicated to silica innovations for Asia. Together with the Silica research facility, part of Solvay’s new R&I Center at the Ehwa University Campus in Seoul, we are well placed to speed up innovations in close cooperation with our regional customers,” said An Nuyttens, President of Solvay’s Silica GBU.

The facility in the Saemangeum zoneセマングム・群山経済自由区域, close to Gunsan city in Jeollabuk-do province, will over time replace an important part of the current capacity at Solvay’s Silica site in Incheon, which is located in area designated for future residential development.

Rhodia Silica Korea Co., Ltd. produces precipitated silicas in Asia. Its material is used as a reinforcing filler for the tire and elastomer industry; as an active ingredient carrier in animal nutrition; and as an abrasive and thickening agent in toothpaste. The company was founded in 1975 and is based in Incheon, South Korea. Rhodia Silica Korea Co., Ltd. operates as a subsidiary of Rhodia SA.

Solvay Silica’s investment in South Korea is another milestone in offering innovative solutions and in expanding its global footprint to serve customers.

June 9, 2015

Solvay and INEOS obtain European Commission clearance for creation of INOVYN joint venture

Solvay and INEOS received final approval today from the European Commission to form their 50/50 chlorvinyls Joint Venture, to be known as INOVYN.

This follows Commission approval of International Chemical Investors Group’s (ICIG) acquisition of the remedy business that is being divested by INEOS as a condition of clearance.

2014/5/13　SolvayとINEOSの塩ビJV、EUが条件付でようやく承認　

2014/7/1 SolvayとIneosの塩ビJV、INOVYN の設立契約、ようやく調印

Solvay and INEOS will now make final preparations to close their agreement and to form INOVYN™ on 1 July 2015.
　

“We are delighted to have achieved this very important milestone and to be able to move forward with INOVYN. The Joint Venture will bring together the strengths of the respective chlorvinyls activities of INEOS and Solvay to create a world scale business that will be better able to serve its customers and rapidly respond to changing European markets," comments Chris Tane, CEO INEOS ChlorVinyls and future CEO of INOVYN.
　

“The formation of INOVYN is a major step in the reshaping of Solvay's portfolio and business profile,” says Karim Hajjar, Chief Financial Officer and member of Solvay’s Executive Committee: "INOVYN will be a highly competitive and solid player, securing the long-term prospects of our customers and the employees who will become part of the Joint Venture.”
　

To be headquartered in London, INOVYN will have pro-forma sales of more than €3 billion, with assets across 18 sites in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
　

Governance of INOVYN will be shared between INEOS and Solvay, with equal representation on the Supervisory Board. Day to day management of the business will be led by an Executive Team consisting of Chris Tane as CEO, Mike Maher as CFO and Julie Taylorson as Procurement Director (all currently INEOS) and Filipe Constant as Business Director, Jean-Michel Mesland as Operations Director and Otto Grolig as General Counsel (all currently from Solvay).
　

09. June 2015

ICIG has obtained European Commission approval for its acquisition of certain Chlorovinyls Assets being divested by INEOS

International Chemical Investors Group (ICIG) recently announced an agreement with INEOS and Solvay to acquire certain chlorovinyls assets being divested by INOVYN / INEOS. This agreement, which has been reviewed in the context of the merger control process of both this transaction and the INOVYN JV, has now received approval of the European Commission. Closing of the acquisition of the remedy business by ICIG is anticipated to be August 1^st, 2015.

The newly acquired businesses will form a new “Chlorovinyls” platform within ICIG named VYNOVA Group with total sales in excess of Euro 850 million, complementing ICIG’s Fine Chemicals and Custom Manufacturing platform WeylChem Group (Euro 670 million in sales), the Pharmaceuticals platform CordenPharma Group (Euro 330 million in sales) and ICIG Enterprises businesses (CarboTech, ENKA and Rütgers Organics; Euro 110 million in sales).

With the addition of VYNOVA, ICIG becomes a leading European player both in the suspension polyvinyl chloride (S-PVC) and the potassium hydroxide (KOH:水酸化カリウム) business, resulting in ICIG aggregated sales in excess of Euro 2 billion and approximately 6,000 employees in Europe and the US.

The assets being acquired consist of:

•        the chlorine plants, the EDC/ VCM plants and the KOH plant at Tessenderlo, Belgium,
•        the PVC plant at Mazingarbe, France,
•        the PVC plant at Beek, the Netherlands,
•        the PVC and VCM plants at Wilhelmshaven, Germany, and
•        the EDC plant at Runcorn, UK.

対象工場 当初の両社提案 最終決定 各工場の由来

PVC
Beek, Geleen （蘭）
Tessenderlo Groupから買収

PVC Mazingarbe （仏）

PVC Schkopau （独）
－
旧EVC（BSLのプラントを買収、増設）

PVC/VCM
ー
Wilhelmshaven（独） 旧EVC（当初 ICI）

電解/EDC/VCM Tessenderlo （ベルギー） Tessenderlo Groupから買収

EDC
ー
Runcorn （英） 旧EVC (当初 ICI)

《電解》
ー
Runcorn （英）

　

In addition, the membrane chlorine plant at Runcorn is to be placed in a 50/ 50 Joint Venture between INOVYN and VYNOVA. The acquisition will also include a portion of the KOH business at Tessenderlo, with VYNOVA supplying INOVYN under a toll manufacturing arrangement for the proportion of the KOH business that INOVYN will retain.

The newly formed VYNOVA International will be the sales and marketing organization of VYNOVA Group. Key products sold, besides various grades of S-PVC include chlorine (Cl₂), vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), ethylene dichloride (EDC), sodium and potassium hydroxide (NaOH, KOH), hydrogen (H₂), sodium hypochloride (NaCIO) and hydrochloric acid (HCl). VYNOVA International will also liaise with ICIG’s company PPC to align the marketing and sales strategy for KOH from its newly converted membrane plant in Thann (France), scheduled for start-up during second half of 2015.

With the acquisition and formation of VYNOVA Group, ICIG significantly expands its European chemicals manufacturing footprint and product portfolio, also resulting in an increased market share and realizing significant synergies, unified branding and cooperation. It is ICIG’s intent, as achieved within its other platforms, to further grow the VYNOVA Group through complementary acquisitions, further expanding its manufacturing capacities and product offerings to customers while increasing scale, realizing synergies and thus further improving cost positions and competitiveness.

About International Chemical Investors
International Chemical Investors Group (ICIG) is a privately owned industrial holding company focusing on mid-sized chemicals and pharmaceutical businesses. Since inception in 2004, ICIG has acquired 23 businesses, all of which have origins in major global chemical or pharmaceutical corporations and are independently managed. ICIG companies have more than 5,000 employees operating 23 manufacturing facilities in Europe and the United States with total sales of approximately €1,200 million.

2015/7/30 　

ベルギーのソルベイ、航空機向け複合材の米社買収　6800億円
　

欧州化学大手のソルベイ（ベルギー）は29日、航空機向け炭素繊維などを手がける米素材大手のサイテックを買収すると発表した。全株式を現金で取得し、買収総額は55億ドル（約6820億円）を見込む。ソルベイは買収を弾みに、成長市場の航空機、自動車向けの複合材料を強化する。東レなど日本勢との競合も激しくなりそうだ。

　ソルベイはサイテック株の28日終値に約29％上乗せした１株当たり75.25ドルを提示し、全株取得をめざす。サイテック株主や当局の承認を経て、15年10～12月には買収を終える見通し。

　サイテックの14年の売上高は20億ドル。航空機向けと、自動車や風力発電機向けなど産業向けの複合材でそれぞれ世界シェア２位という。銅山など資源開発を効率的にする化学品にも強い。

　ソルベイは互いの顧客基盤を活用し、重複部門のコスト削減も進める。３年以内で１億ユーロ（約136億円）以上の相乗効果を見込む。

---

July 29, 2015

Solvay makes a step-change in its transformation with the acquisition of Cytec

• Propels Solvay to world’s second largest player in aerospace composite materials
• Accelerates growth of Advanced Materials with major push into composites
• Reinforces Advanced Formulations with the world’s number one mining chemical business
• Strengthens Solvay’s earnings momentum
• Pre-tax synergies targeted at more than € 100 million a year
• Adjusted EPS accretive after year one
• Transaction unanimously recommended by Cytec’s and Solvay’s boards of directors
• Financing to consist of € 1.5 billion capital increase, € 1.0 billion of hybrid instruments and senior debt issuance

Solvay has entered into a definitive merger agreement with U.S.-based Cytec to acquire 100% of its share capital for US$ 75.25 per share in cash. The total cash consideration will amount to US$5.5 billion, corresponding to an enterprise value of US$ 6.4 billion and representing a 2015 estimated EBITDA multiple of 14.7x and of 11.7x when considering synergies potential linked to the transaction. The transaction price per share represents a premium of 28.9% compared to the closing price of Cytec on 28th July 2015 and a premium of 26.9% compared to the volume weighted average closing share price over the last three months. Cytec’s and Solvay’s boards of directors have unanimously recommended the transaction.

“The proposed acquisition of Cytec marks a major step change in Solvay’s portfolio upgrade. It is a unique opportunity for Solvay to boost its customer offerings in lightweighting with advanced materials in aerospace and automotive, as well as to strengthen its know-how with activities in mining chemicals,” said Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, CEO of Solvay. “Cytec is a high-growth, high-quality group with leading market positions. We are looking forward to working with its excellent teams. This acquisition will create value for our stakeholders and will support our ambition to become a leader in sustainable chemistry. This transaction will lead us to further accelerate our transformation.”

“We are excited to be joining with Solvay, a leading player in the chemical industry with over 150 years of success. Their strategic focus is perfectly aligned with our businesses, while the technology synergies with their specialty polymers and formulations expertise should accelerate our growth. Our customers and our employees should expect to see continuity and strong support of our current strategy,” said Shane Fleming, CEO of Cytec.

Headquartered in New Jersey with 4,600 employees across the globe, Cytec generated sales of US$ 2.0 billion and a 20% REBITDA* margin in 2014. It sources almost half of its sales from North America, nearly a third from EMEA and the remainder from Asia Pacific and Latin America.

Cytec is among the world leaders in composite materials and in mining chemicals, recognized by its customers as a consistently successful innovator and provider of high-performance and value-added solutions. In the fast-growing composite materials sector, which represents two thirds of its sales, its principal market is primary and secondary structures for aircrafts. It is also developing new technological applications for composites in automotive. Cytec is the leader in tailored specialty chemical formulations to enhance mining separation processes.

Through the acquisition of Cytec, Solvay will gain critical scale and immediate customer intimacy in aerospace. In the automotive market, Solvay’s strong positions with original equipment manufacturers and tier-one suppliers will help bolster Cytec’s growth.

Moreover, Cytec will significantly reinforce Solvay’s sustainability profile as its offerings are addressing planet’s challenges. With Cytec, Solvay will stand out stronger in reducing CO2 emissions through its lightweighting solutions and in dealing with the increasing scarcity of resources through more efficient and cleaner mining technologies.

Cytec’s composites businesses will be integrated into Solvay’s Advanced Materials operating segment. Its mining chemicals as well as its niche additives and phosphine specialty chemical businesses will become part of Solvay’s Advanced Formulations segment.

This transaction will underpin Solvay’s REBITDA growth momentum, by driving top line growth and margin expansion. Solvay expects annual synergies of more than € 100 million, to be substantially realized within three years chiefly through cost savings and excellence. Significant cross-selling opportunities have been identified with Specialty Polymers, both in aerospace and automotive, as well as with Novecare in oil & gas, agrochemicals and electronics. The non-recurring implementation costs are estimated at €75 million. The acquisition of Cytec will be accretive to Adjusted EPS after the first year and to CFROI in the mid-term.

Solvay has arranged committed bridge financing for the transaction which it plans to fund with a
€ 1.5 billion rights issue, € 1.0 billion of additional hybrid instruments and a senior debt issuance. The intended financing structure will help Solvay maintain its financial flexibility and strengthen its capital structure. This will allow the Group to sustain its long-standing policy of growing its dividend over time, while preserving its investment grade credit rating.

Solvay will convene, in due course, an extraordinary general meeting of its shareholders to vote on the proposed rights issue. The Board of Directors of Solvac, Solvay’s main shareholder, has unanimously confirmed its support for the transaction and its intention to vote in favor of the capital increase. It plans to exercise its rights as part of the capital increase to maintain its 30% stake in Solvay’s shareholding structure.

This acquisition is structured as a cash merger between Cytec and a subsidiary of Solvay. The merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and Cytec shareholders’ approval. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2015.

ーーー

Cytec Announces Merger Agreement with Solvay

Cytec Industries Inc. announced today it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Brussels-based Solvay. The total cash consideration will amount to US$5.5 billion, corresponding to an enterprise value of US$6.4 billion. The transaction price per share of $75.25 represents a premium of 28.9% compared to our closing price of $58.39 on July 28, 2015 and a premium of 26.9% compared to the volume weighted average closing share price over the last three months.

Shane Fleming, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, “We are excited to be joining a preeminent global chemical company with leading market positions and a similar growth strategy to Cytec’s. This union will enhance our businesses ability to drive their strategy of value creation through strengthening and leveraging our market and technology leadership positions in high growth end markets.”

Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, CEO of Solvay, commented, “This merger marks a major step toward Solvay’s portfolio upgrade and enables us to strengthen our technology offerings to include advanced materials technology for the aerospace and automotive industries as well as integration of Cytec’s specialty chemical portfolio into our existing line of advanced formulations. We look forward to working with Cytec’s excellent teams and to creating additional value for all our stakeholders.”

Our company is now comprised of four business segments: Aerospace Materials, Industrial Materials, In Process Separation and Additive Technologies.

March 16, 2016

Solvay and INEOS intend to advance Solvay's exit from INOVYN joint venture

Solvay and INEOS today announce their intention to end their 50/50 chlorovinyls INOVYN joint venture earlier than originally foreseen, with INEOS to become the sole shareholder.

Solvay and INEOS formed INOVYN in July 2015, with Solvay's exit originally planned in July 2018.

Upon exit, Solvay would receive a final exit price payment of €335 million.

“Thanks to the fast and efficient integration of its teams and assets, INOVYN is now a sound and sustainable chlorovinyls player. This allows us to bring forward Solvay’s exit and to further focus on its portfolio transformation, while achieving a first step in de-leveraging the balance sheet,” said Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, CEO of Solvay.

"INEOS is very comfortable with the proposed early acquisition of the full shareholding of the INOVYN joint venture. Chlorovinyls businesses are core to large petrochemicals companies such as ours and through this planned acquisition INOVYN will have an owner with a long term vision that provides stability for its business and employees,” comments Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman of INEOS.

Closing of the transaction is likely to occur in the second half of 2016, subject to finalizing definitive legal agreements and customary regulatory approvals.

　

Company	Brand
Solvay Benvic	BENVIC^®	PVC Compounds (Polyvinyl Chloride)
Solvay Engineered Polymers	DEXFLEX^® SEQUEL^®	PP Compounds (Polypropylene) PP Compounds
Solvay Advanced Polymers	IXEF^®PRIMEF^®	Polyarylamide PPS (Polyphenylene Sulfide)
Solvay Fluoro Polymers	SOLEF^®	PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride)
Solvay Polyolefins Europe	ELTEX^®	HDPE (High-density Polyethylene)
Solvay Polymers	FORTIFLEX^®	HDPE
Solvin	SOLVIN^® IXAN^® DIOFAN^®	PVC Resins PVDC (Polyvinylidene Chloride) PVDC
Padanaplast	POLIDAN^®POLIDIEMME^®COGEFILL^®COGEGUM^®	PE Compounds (Polyethylene) PE Compounds PE Compounds PE Compounds
Dacarto Benvic		PVC Compounds
Solvay Indupa	INDUVIL^®	PVC
Vinyloop	VINYLOOP^®	Recycling Process
Vinythai	SIAMVIC^®	PVC

対象工場	当初の両社提案	最終決定	各工場の由来
PVC	Beek, Geleen （蘭）		Tessenderlo Groupから買収
PVC	Mazingarbe （仏）		Tessenderlo Groupから買収
PVC	Schkopau （独）	－	旧EVC（BSLのプラントを買収、増設）
PVC/VCM	ー	Wilhelmshaven（独）	旧EVC（当初 ICI）
電解/EDC/VCM	Tessenderlo （ベルギー）		Tessenderlo Groupから買収
EDC	ー	Runcorn （英）	旧EVC (当初 ICI)
《電解》	ー	Runcorn （英）	旧EVC (当初 ICI)