e-Business

The underlying principle of SOLVAY’s e-Business approach is close collaboration with our internal and external customers. We want to create win-win-situations in which our business relationships are easier, faster and better managed through our e Solutions. Before launching an e-Initiative we evaluate our customers’ needs for an “electronic relationship”. The main goal is to deliver superior customer service through our e-Solutions, but cost reduction on both sides is also an important issue.

Three main development axes form the groundwork for our e-Activities:

• SOLVAY Websites as THE Information Channel.
• Integration with our customers via the SOLVAY Extranet.
• Market- and transactional places for comprehensive e-Solutions.

We think that e-Business allows us to…

• reduce mistakes and discrepancies,
• communicate quickly and easily with our customers,
• provide easier access to up-to-date information and documents,
• provide more personalized and high value services to our customers,
• lower the supply chain costs at both sides,
• attract new customers.

e-Initiatives

By applying e-Business solutions SOLVAY is adding new Business Channels to our traditional customer channel portfolio.

We use e-Solutions to improve our service to customers and our collaboration with our suppliers in order to reduce costs at both sides; in other words to “get more for less”:

• Elemica™ Network - ERP-integration with business partners

Elemica is a neutral, global Network for contractual buying and selling of chemicals.
Founded in August 2000 by SOLVAY and 21 other leading chemical companies Elemica focuses on the ERP-integration of standardized messages between customers and suppliers. This allows the simplification of the order to cash process and as a consequence helps to reduce supply chain costs.
As with a phone company having just one connection to the network you gain access to all your connected trading partners – anywhere in the world and in real time.
Visit Elemica on the web: www.elemica.com

• SpecialChem™ – marketing and customer services for specialty chemicals

Founded in April 2000, SpecialChem is a knowledge and service provider in the domain of specialty chemicals. Using Internet, e-Marketing tools and knowledge management systems, SpecialChem has developed a range of services responsive to the needs of specialty chemicals users and producers.

Visit SpecialChem4adhesives on the web:  www.specialchem4adhesives.com
(A platform developed specifically for the needs of Adhesives & Sealants industry)

Visit SpecialChem4polymers on the web:  www.specialchem4polymers.com
(SpecialChem4polymers offers services related to Polymer Additives and Colors: industry knowledge, technical information, technical assistance, articles from experts…)

SOLVAY partners with SpecialChem and other companies in those market segments to increase knowledge and service to our customers.

• Transwide™

Transwide has developed a suite of technology solutions to connect shippers and logistics providers to enable the electronic communication and visibility of transport orders, transport documents, tracking, and signatures.
Visit Transwide on the web:  www.transwide.com

• CC-Hubwoo™

CC-Hubwoo is the leading global provider in "Source-to-Pay" electronic solutions and supplier network management. Connecting buyers and suppliers of different industries, CC-Hubwoo guides the development of cross-industry standards and collaborates with companies in implementing e-procurement strategies, resulting in procurement process automation and transactional costs reduction.
Visit CC-Hubwoo on the web: http://www.cc-hubwoo.com/index.php?lang=en

• SOLVAY Extranet – Online ordering and tracking for our customers

SOLVAY’s Extranet, a web-based on-line system for customers, completes the existing traditional SOLVAY business channels in our customer channel portfolio.

Several specialized functionalities make it possible to…

• re- / order and track orders,
• download customer statistics,
• share documents related to orders,
• view the financial account status.
• For further information on SOLVAY’s e-Initiatives please refer to the dedicated website of each of the operating sectors.
• There you can also find further information on how to get connected to a SOLVAY Extranet solution.

If you do not find the information you need please do not hesitate to contact one of the e-Business representatives mentioned on the section “e-Business Contacts”

• e-Billing

The e-billing solution allows to validly send the invoice to the customers by e-mail.
Every e-bill is accompanied by an advanced electronic signature that is compliant with the provisions of the European Directive 2001/115/EC. It therefore meets the requirements of European Member States legislation which already transposed such directive.
This allows to guarantee the authenticity of the invoice’s origin and the integrity of its contents. It has the same value as the handwritten signature of a physical person, which ensures its validity.

The solution is based on a software licensed from AuthentiDate AG www.authentidate.com, a German company, enabling the authentification process through advanced electronic signature.