Update on the situation of the Solvay site in Salindres
The Salindres industrial site has existed since the 1850s and has been home to a number of companies over the years. It is now occupied by several operators. Solvay’s connection to Salindres began in 2011 following its acquisition of Rhodia.
Closure of the site
Notably, Solvay produced trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a chemical component essential to various industrial sectors. Due to a substantial reduction in demand for TFA and after several revitalization plans conducted in an increasingly difficult economic context, the company decided to stop production and presented employee representatives a plan to do so on September 24, 2024.
Until last year, the site employed around one hundred people. A Plan for Safeguarding Employment (PSE), negotiated with employee representatives, was signed on December 20, 2024 by Solvay's three trade unions: CFDT, CFE-CGC and CGT. It provides for personalized support for each employee affected by the 65 job cuts (including 4 vacancies), including internal redeployment measures, training and reinforced support in the search for new professional opportunities. The Plan was validated by French public authorities (DDETS - Direction Départementale de l'Emploi, du Travail et des Solidarités) in January 2025.
The clean-up and final shutdown operations will continue until at least October 2025.
Emissions reduction, remediation and restoration plan
Solvay places compliance at the heart of its operational priorities and makes every effort to comply with regulations regarding its industrial emissions. As such, Solvay’s Salindres site is regularly inspected by the public environmental authority (DREAL – Direction Régionale de l’Environnement, de l’Aménagement et du Logement). The Salindres site has always complied with evolving regulations applicable to its industrial activity.
Solvay has adapted its practices and processes as scientific knowledge evolved. The company worked with local authorities for fifteen years to define emission limit values as well as a programme for the progressive and significant reduction of its emissions. Solvay for instance invested in a reverse osmosis treatment pilot which achieved a 70 % reduction of its emissions.
Despite stopping production of the site, Solvay continues to implement this project and, if it proves to be effective, will fully implement it in the context of the site’s remediation further to closure.
This site closure will entail the cessation of emissions linked to industrial production, as well as the implementation of a detailed remediation and restoration plan.