Financial Statements - Solvay

production capacities have been
increased in Brazil from 220 to
275 kt/year, in line with the VCM
production capacities, in order to
keep pace with the rapid growth of
this market.
In Asia-Pacifi c
Vinythai has increased its annual PVC
production capacity at its Map Ta
Phut (Thailand) plant by 70 kt to
280 kt/year. This expansion will
enable it to support its customers’
growth projects in the dynamic southeast
Asian markets.
Pipelife (50/50 joint venture
with Wienerberger in pipes and
fi ttings)
Pipelife was confronted in 2008
with building construction and civil
engineering markets struggling with
the fi nancial crisis, especially in
certain countries like the USA, the
United Kingdom and Spain. Despite
this diffi cult environment, Pipelife
managed to maintain sales at 2007
levels.
Pipelife has a three-pronged strategy
of:
Operating excellence;
Geographic deployment in central
and eastern Europe in particular;
and
innovation.
2008 saw major restructurings in
Ireland and Spain, the countries
hardest hit by the crisis. In other
western European countries,
measures were introduced to
reduce overall cost levels. Pipelife’s
competitiveness is also benefi ting
from the restructuring efforts
undertaken since 2001.
To further increase plant safety,
Pipelife introduced in 2008 the
STOP ® (Safety, Training, Observation,
Prevention) process. This approach
makes every employee responsible
for eliminating the risks of accidents.
Instaplast was acquired in the Czech
Republic. Several extrusion lines were
started up in Russia and Hungary.
These investments are enabling
Pipelife to strengthen its presence
in the hot & cold market (plumbing
piping using special polymers) and
the vital waste water management
market. Geographically, central and
eastern Europe is a fast-growth
zone, already representing 40% of
European sales volumes in 2008.
Pipeline extended its product range in
2008, with for example:
the STORMBOX ® system for
managing fl ash fl oods in urban
environments. The system collects
the rain water and redistributes it at
an environmentally more absorbable
fl ow rate.
ECO 1, an oil separation system for
treating waste water from smallsized
restaurants. This system can
prevent pollution of the soil by oil
residues mixed in with the water.
3
Plastics Sector
43
1. Strong growth for Pipelife in
central & eastern Europe.
2. Wood PVC composite pontoon
combining wood appearance
and SOLVIN ® (PVC) durability.
3. A wide range of sport fl oorings
are made of SOLVIN ® (PVC).
Solvay Global Annual Report 2008
Plastics Sector