solvay_live243_p02a04 somEdito

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12 GroupStrategy S.L.: Are there lots of examples? J.vR.: Yes, from local productivity gains to strategic projects. Allow me to cite some recent examples. These are concrete and therefore a little “technical”. In Pharmaceuticals: the new cell-based vaccine production technology recently rolled out at Solvay Pharmaceuticals at Weesp (Netherlands) and shortly to be in the USA. In Plastics: new vinyl and specialty polymers technologies, thanks also to the acquisitions of Mississippi Polymer Technologies and Gharda. In Chemicals: an opening towards Organic Chemistry with the acquisition of Girindus, the new H 2 O 2 process or the new Epicerol TM process. At NBD, the advances we have made in fuel cells, like the SolviCore joint venture or our participation in Conduit Ventures, leading in turn to a new collaboration with CMR. At DCRT, the development of the Novosol ® process for stabilizing and recycling canal and lock dredging sludge. In Finance, the recasting of our financial processes in the context of the 3S project, and the Nafta factoring initiative in North America. In the Legal Department: the OCAP (1) training tool. In Communication: the new Solvay live and the dynamic adaptation to the demands of the internal and external target audiences. In Asia-Pacific: the shock team that is helping us grow. In Europe: the ideas management, emulation and replication systems in Germany, Iberia, France, Italy… And in South America, the root-and-branch updating of our industrial vision. There are many other quality examples everywhere, so please excuse me for not being exhaustive… “In 10 years’ time we may find ourselves in domains we don’t even imagine today.” S.L.: And the future direction for the Group? J.vR.: In future, each SBU will be taking charge of its own destiny, with its strategic vision examined by Comex at least once a year. Multi-SBU partnerships are also being built, such as the Solution Units promoted by the Chemical Business Deployment entity. At Group level, our New Business Board has opted to explore two of the three top strategic technologies selected by the prestigious Battelle (2) research group: innovative materials (including for electronics) and sustainable energy (including fuel cells). Solvay is the technology partner for Solar Impulse, the solar aircraft dreamed up by Bertrand Piccard, a project that will push us to the limits of what materials can and ought to deliver. Externally, several of our SBUs have signed up to InnoCentive, a world-wide network of 80 000 scientists, offering leading-edge expertise unavailable elsew h e r e . I n t e r n a l l y, t h e S c i e n c e f o r Innovation Congress brought together 140 researchers from across the Group to focus our competences around major issues like nanotechnologies… As you can s e e , t h e b e e h i v e i s b u z z i n g w i t h projects. S.L.: You have hardly mentioned global competition... J.vR.: Some people say this complicates things, and it’s true. But it can also be a source of at times unsuspected opportunities. Let us never underestimate human beings’ capacities to create and adapt. S.L.: Including those of people from emerging countries? J.vR.: We need to look at emerging countries in two ways. Yes, there is the short-term vision of low cost competition. We respond to this by choosing those professions in which we remain the best, in which we are increasingly specializing, and to which we give the resources of excellence. But alongside this relatively classical vision, I would like to juxtapose that of the opportunity that these countries offer us. First of all, they are keen for growth and we can participate in this. Second, we can also open up to their creativity, their curiosity, their spirit of enterp r i s e . T h e y i m p e l u s o n t o w a r d s a planetary view of progress. We have an enormous amount to learn from these countries. S.L.: What does the Solvay Innovation Trophy represent for you? J.vR.: Three things: A festive moment where all eyes are focused on certain achievements. An event where one is delighted at the sheer amount of energy and enthusiasm invested by those who have taken part, who have succeeded, and who have worked hard to defend their projects. A time for reflection also, to question our creative capacities and draw lessons in order to do even better. Finally, a stimulus, an impetus, a goad for the future.• (1) Online Competition Awareness Program. (2) See www.battelle.org/forecasts.
Dossier SolvayInnovationTrophy2006 Innovation is everyone’s business THE INNOVATION TROPHY BLENDS EXPERTISE, COMPETENCE AND KNOW-HOW WITH CREATIVITY, PASSION AND ENERGY. GROUP INNOVATION CHAMPION BRIGITTE LAURENT REVIEWS WITH US WHY SOLVAY ORGANIZES AN INNOVATION TROPHY, HOW IT HAS EVOLVED OVER TIME, AND THE MAIN EMPHASIS OF THE 2006 EDITION. The Solvay Innovation Trophy, a recurring landmark in the Group’s drive for Innovation, will be held this year for the fourth time. Each successive Innovation Trophy since 1999 has been larger than its predecessor and attracted growing attention, both inside and outside the Group. Organizing it is a project in itself, involving a number of employees throughout the year. Despite its potent symbolism for the entire Innovation drive, this Group event is in fact only just one of a series of initiatives. To mention trophies only, we have the Trophy and Creativity Awards in the Chemicals Sector, the Pioneer Awards in Pharmaceuticals, various site-level Innovation Trophies, Innodrive at Pipelife, and the Solvin Award for innovative PVC clients, all contributing to dynamizing our creative capacity. J U L Y 2 0 0 6 13
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