Solvay's sustainable chemistry, a modern and innovative chemistry with a reduced environmental footprint.
Waste recuperation
In the United States, at Green River, the production of sodium bicarbonate (125,000 tons/year) from solid waste coming from production of soda ash started up in April 2010.
This process enables production of SOLVAIR® Select 300, specifically designed for the treatment of flue gases.
With this product for air pollution control, Solvay again demonstrates that innovative forces within the chemicals industry are the best placed to propose realistic solutions to certain particularly critical environmental challenges.
Energy storage efficiency
A new range of SOLEF® designed for lithium-ion batteries was recently launched. It significantly increases the energy density (by 30 to 40%) of the batteries as well as their life span.
Solvay recently launched F1EC, an electrolyte additive capable of prolonging the life cycle and increasing the safety and capacity of lithium-ion batteries. A new production unit for this product, located in South Korea, was inaugurated at the end of 2009.
Renewable energy
In September 2010, Solvay announced the construction and production, in partnership with the Chinese company Sinochem Lantian, of an installation of hydrofluoric acid, which is designed for the electronics industry, and in particular for the production of photovoltaic panels.
Energy efficiency
In the energy field, in Argentina, a power plant of 120 MW, built in partnership with Albanesi on the Solvay Indupa site, has been in operation since the middle of 2009. Its capacity will be expanded to 165 MW.
By building a power station fuelled by the non-recycled high-energy part of waste materials in Bernburg - Solvay Germany, Solvay will reduce the emissions of 350,000 tons per year of CO2. The new cogeneration plant is based on innovative technology and consequently combines the most stringent energy efficiency and environmental performances. The new plant utilizes the sodium-bicarbonate based Neutrec® technology, developed by Solvay, to cleanse the plant’s gaseous emissions.
Innovation and Sustainability
Many innovative Specialty Polymers find their application in the solar airplane Solar Impulse.
Bio sourcing and process efficiency
Advanced Biochemical Thailand, wholly-owned subsidiary of Vinythai, is building in Thailand an epichlorohydrin production unit (100,000 tons/year) based on natural glycerin : the EPICEROL® process. This unit will begin operation at the start of 2012. As well as using renewable raw materials, this process generates fewer byproducts and consumes less water.
Bio sourcing
A project of PVC production capacity extension by ethylene produced from bioethanol at Solvay Indupa in Brazil is under study.
