Supplying the Chemical industry with a wide range of Peroxide solutions
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) plays an essential role in creating some of the objects we use in our everyday lives ౼ from the mattress you sleep on at night, to the car seat that travels with you on every journey, to the four walls that insulate and protect your home. Solvay works closely with the biggest players in the chemical industry to supply the H2O2 necessary to sustainably, safely and efficiently develop products.
Market snapshot
Today, the push towards more sustainable products and processes and more energy-efficient technologies touches nearly every industry on the planet. For example, energy efficiency regulations in the construction sector now drive the use of polyurethane foam ౼ known for its incredible insulation performance. With proper building insulation, maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures requires less energy. The same concept of efficient insulation applies to refrigerators, freezers and other home appliances as well.
In the automotive industry, car makers rely on H2O2 to produce polyurethane through the propylene oxide (PO) process. These professionals use polyurethane to manufacture low density seating foam (30-40% less dense) that can reduce fuel consumption while still maintaining the same mechanical properties as well as a high level of comfort.
We also observe continuing efforts in several industries to use H2O2 to improve chemical processes and in turn, reduce by-products and employ overall cleaner practices.
Our promise
Solvay’s hydrogen peroxide is a key intermediate chemical widely used for the production of bulk or specialty chemicals. It is a mild oxidizing agent and therefore it can lead to highly selective chemical reactions while minimizing waste and the formation of by-products. We apply our extensive know-how and R&I to produce the purity levels necessary to run several different processes.
Our concept of integrated chemical plants completely eliminates the once extensive supply chain ౼ thereby reducing CO2 emissions and positively impacting the air quality around chemical plants. For our HPPO projects (Hydrogen Peroxide to Propylene Oxide technology) the hydrogen peroxide is produced, supplied by pipe and used on the same site as propylene oxide (PO) production unit.
Over the past several years, we have doubled our H2O2 production capacity with the construction of three mega plants based on high productivity technology. Our mega plant in Antwerp (Belgium) was our first ever mega plant, followed by a second one in Map Ta Phut (Thailand) and most recently a third one in Jubail (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). Our global presence and ability to meet high volume demands give our customers peace of mind when it comes to security of supply.
To ensure the security of process, our teams on the ground also provide safety training to teach our customers how to handle and use products. Through close collaboration with our experts and R&I team, our customers get the support they need to develop new chemical applications.
Our chemical solutions
HPPO - Hydrogen Peroxide to Propylene Oxide
Our customers, including big industry players such as BASF and Dow Chemicals, rely on our expertise to produce high quality hydrogen peroxide for propylene oxide (PO) processes, or in other words, on our Hydrogen Peroxide to Propylene Oxide technology (HPPO). When used as an oxidizer, Solvay’s H2O2 is a major raw material to produce PO ౼ a key building block for PU materials ౼ with water as the only by-product and no co-product. Other traditional methods of producing PO, generate by-products that need to be eliminated or co-products that need to be valorized on markets with different dynamics that the PU materials. When using H2O2, producers can focus on PO with an “on purpose” technology and they do not need to take care of by-products of co-products.
Caprolactam
H2O2 is also used as a raw material in the production of Caprolactam, the monomer used for nylon 6 (PA6) production. Nylon 6 is used in the textile industry to produce fibers for clothing and home furnishings; in the fishing industry to produce nets; and in the automotive sector to manufacture external mirrors, accelerator pedals, thermal parts, cylinder head covers, charge air coolers and engine covers. The use of H2O2 can help reduce the amount of by products formed in the reaction ౼ therefore also minimizing waste.
ESBO
Hydrogen peroxide can also be used for the epoxidation of soybean oil that leads to ESBO, a biosourced additive used in the formulation and transformation of softer, flexible PVC. PVC, a very cost-competitive product, is used in piping, flooring, fims and stationary, automotive and car interiors.
ESBO can also be used as an extender and rubber substitute and results in improved ozone resistance and flow properties. When used as a rubber plasticizer, ESBO can potentially increase tread life by 10% while also reducing the use of petroleum-based oil. Rubber compounds made with ESBO blend more easily with the silica used in tires. In general, the use of ESBO leads to improved efficiency, less greenhouse gas emissions and reduces the need for fossil fuel.
Solvay, your unique and reliable HPPO partner
Our customers, including big industry players such as BASF and Dow Chemicals, rely on our expertise to produce high quality hydrogen peroxide for propylene oxide (PO) processes.
Peroxygens
Solvay, the industry leading peroxygens supplier, delivers on its promise of effective, clean products that meet the highest quality standards across several markets.