solvay_live243_p02a04 somEdito

Dossier
105021
64
SOLVAY IS OPENING THE GROUP’S
LARGEST R&T CENTER TO START-UPS
GIVING START-UPS
A KICK START ON THE
BELGIUM-NOH R&T SITE
SolvayInnovationTrophy2006
Start-ups have to find their way in a very
competitive world that is calling out both
for the rapid emergence of new and high
performance technologies and for drastic cuts
in research costs. These start-ups, which grow
around an initial idea, often find it difficult
to cope with the scientific, technical, legal and
administrative demands placed upon them.
In line with its tradition of offering support
to science, Solvay Research & Technology wants
to encourage the spirit of innovation of the
start-ups and welcomes them into its rich universe
of research laboratories, resources and skills
without it costing the earth for them. The young
companies can thus focus their efforts on their
core business in a stimulating environment that
encourages the cross fertilisation of several
disciplines, such as chemicals, engineering,
materials research, etc. With this initiative, Solvay
R&T is becoming an incubator for start-ups
whose fields of activity are close or
complementary to those of the Group.
It is also for Solvay a means of making
its contribution to the construction
of the knowledge society. A first company,
Artelis, active in the field of biotechnology, set up
on the site in December 2005 and has decided
to continue to grow under the protective wing
of Solvay R&T (20 persons are set to be taken
on in 2007). Applications from other start-ups are
currently being examined.
> Carine Demeyer; Paul Baekelmans; Michel Driesen;
Geneviève Fauville; Alfred Hoffait; Bernard Poulin.
> BSC BELGIUM
105191
LUVOX ® /FLUVOXAMINE IN JAPAN
ONE FIRST AFTER ANOTHER
Before the launch of the LUVOX
(fluvoxamine) in 1999, only traditional antidepressants
were commonly used
in Japan, leading to the following situation:
• too many adverse side effects;
• uncertainty as to the possibilities
of developing and finding a potential market
for the SSRI (“Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors“);
• a shortage of drugs to treat Obsessive
Compulsive Disorders and SAD (Social
Anxiety Disorders);
• difficulty in finding the appropriate treatment
for children.
Solvay Seiyaku (Japan) therefore came up with
innovative solutions to all of these issues,
by being the first in Japan:
• to successfully launch fluvoxamine in 1999 to
treat depression and obsessive compulsive
disorders, quadrupling this market between
1999 and 2005 warding off reputed
competitors;
• to obtain approval for this drug to treat SAD
and to successfully launch the drug in 2005;
• to launch the paediatric clinical study at the
beginning of 2006.
The sheer quality of the approach, from the
clinical studies to the market entry, including
the risk taking, the rapid decision-making, the
creation of a standardised diagnosis scale,
recognised and used by the entire profession,
attracted partners to these projects (Meiji
Seika) and was applauded by the authorities.
The result, yet again a first in Japan
in the pharmaceutical industry, was the
awarding of a maximum extension
of marketing exclusivity for these drugs.
This, of course, to the benefit of the patients
who, thanks to fluvoxamine, can look forward
to an improvement in their quality of life.
> Toshiki Tsuji; Guenter Krause; Koji Ohiwa.
> PHARMACEUTICALS SECTOR
101500
USE OF PURIFIED BRINE INSTEAD OF SOLID
SALT TO FEED ELECTROLYSIS PLANT WITH NaCI
A DOUBLE ECONOMY
The salt used to feed the membranes of the
electrolysis plant needs to be purified. This
is traditionally carried out via drying
operations through the evaporation of the
brine transported by pipe in its liquid form.
However, the evaporation operations are high
consumers of energy.
The aim of this project is twofold:
• to reduce the total quantity of salt purified
by evaporation, leading to energy savings;
• to feed the Antwerp (Belgium) electrolysis
plant with our salt instead of buying it from
external suppliers, at times of strong demand,
leading to purchasing savings.
To do so, in Jemeppe (Belgium)) we directly
feed the electrolysis plant with saturated
brine without going through the
crystallisation stage. However, it is still
necessary to purify this brine via a new
nanofiltration technology.
The capacity of purification by crystallisation
that is thus freed up in Jemeppe, allows us to
purify the salt for the Antwerp electrolysis.
The budgetary impact can be directly felt,
both in Jemeppe and Antwerp.
> Pol Henry; Fabrizio Aversa; Vittorio Benso;
Alain Hanneuse; Pierre Mauroy; Stéphane Pestiaux.
> SBU VINYLS