HOrIzON - Solvay

PVDF SOLeF ®
new
inveSTmenT
at the tavaux plant
Solvay is investing EUR 26 million to increase
by half its PVDF SOLEF ® production capacity
at Tavaux (France). Demand for this high
added value polymer is rising by more than
10% a year. SOLEF PVDF ® production capacity
was already increased by some 30% in 2009.
Solvay’s SOLEF ® polyvinylidene fluoride
(PVDF) is used for demanding oil and gas
drilling applications, as a binder or in the
separators of lithium-ion batteries, in
photovoltaic panels, semiconductors and
water treatment membranes. The PVDF
SOLEF ® technology used at Tavaux
complements the HYLAR ® PVDF technology
developed at West Deptford in the United
States, while giving Solvay the flexibility
to meet the specific needs of demanding
industries. The new PVDF SOLEF ® production
capacity at Tavaux will become operational
in the second half of 2012. ●
PRODUctION
Vertical integration of f luorinated products
By purchasing the fluorite mine at
Chiprovtsi in Bulgaria, Solvay has
secured at a competitive cost the
vertical integration of its high added
value specialty fluoropolymers as
well as its production of specialty
fluorochemicals. The Bulgarian
cOOPeRAtION
KOrEA
Solvay partners with
Womans University
company employs 107 people in mining
and other activities near Chiprovtsi on
the border with Serbia. The production
of acid grade fluorite is expected to be
increased to at least 50 000 tons/year
by the end of 2011. Fluorite (or fluorspar)
is an essential raw material in the
Solvay has entered into an agreement
with the EWHA Womans
University in Seoul, Korea for setting
up a Center for research,
Development and Technology
(rDT) as well as the headquarters
of its Specialty Chemicals Global
Business Unit on the university
campus. The support from Solvay
amounts to EUr 13 million for the
research Center and EUr 3.8 million
for various collaborations with
the university. The research Center
will focus on the high growth
markets – electronics, lithium-ion
batteries and photovoltaic cells –
to which Solvay provides specialty
polymers and high added value
chemicals. The Solvay researchers
will undertake research in cooperation
with the EWHA’s Center for
Intelligent Nano-Biomaterials, the
Institute of Nano and Biotechnology
and the New and renewable
Energy research Center. ●
production of hydrofluoric acid, which is
in turn used downstream in chemicals
and fluoropolymers. This new source
of raw materials will serve as a basis
for the growth of the Group’s fluorinated
specialties, mainly in the Asian
market. ●
Solvay live - september 2011 - 07