Financial Statements - Solvay

future) reacts with atmospheric
oxygen in an electrochemical
reaction (the reverse of electrolysis);
developing hydrogen storage
solutions by investing on the
Conduit Ventures Fund (UK).
In the fi eld of hydrogen-based
energy production, Solvay Solexis is
developing AQUIVION perfl uorinated
proton exchange membranes
for PEMFCs (Proton Exchange
Membrane Fuel Cells).
For its part, the SolviCore 50/50 joint
venture with Umicore is developing
and manufacturing on a pilot scale
membrane-electrode assemblies
(MEAs) that combine Solvay’s
expertise in membrane polymers with
Umicore’s in precious metals used as
catalysts. SolviCore maintains close
contacts with certain players in the
hydrogen and fuel cells chain.
At the end of 2008, Solvay invested
GBP 1.25 million in ACAL Energy
(UK), which is developing an original
fuel cell concept in which the platinum
cathode is replaced with a circulating
of an aqueous solution of a more
stable and less expensive liquid
catalyst.
The Nanotechnologies
platform
These technologies for structuring
the infi nitely small have at times
already led to specifi c products.
Examples include the development
and marketing of nanostructured
fl uorinated polymers and the launch
of NANOLIPANTHYL ® , a new
formulation of an existing drug that
facilitates assimilation.
The platform was launched in mid-
2008 with the mission of gathering,
constructing and disseminating
expertise in a multidisciplinary
context, fi nding and supporting
specifi c projects, and undertaking
a scientifi c and technology watch in
nanotechnologies. Four programs
were activated in 2008.
The Renewable Chemistry
and Industrial Biotechnology
platform
This new platform has the mission
of exploring Solvay’s development
potential in these fi elds. It will also
cover the different “renewable
materials” chains. The fi rst concrete
results in this area are the production
of epichlorohydrin by the EPICEROL ®
process and the project for a fi rst
ethanol-based ethylene unit for PVC
production in Brazil.
For Renewable Chemistry, an initial
series of partnerships were put
together in 2008:
membership in Europabio,
the European Association for
Bioindustries;
participation in ACDV (Association
Chimie du Végétal), a joint
partnership in France between
the UIC (Union des Industries
Chimiques) and the corresponding
agricultural industries;
New Business Development
participation in the BioHub program
in France, which is subsidized by
the AII (Agence de l’Innovation
Industrielle);
participation in the Eureka-labelled
Halobios Plastici project, with
French start-up SeaDev;
investment in Capricorn Cleantech
Fund, at Leuven (Belgium).
47
Solvay Global Annual Report 2008
New Business Development