Brussels, May 7, 2018 --- Solvay is celebrating the opening of Solvay Solar Energy-Jasper County, South Carolina’s largest solar farm, which helps meet the increasing demands from customers to source products manufactured with renewable energy.
Last year Solvay agreed to buy all the renewable energy certificates (RECs) produced by the 71.4-megawatt farm for 15 years, with more than 250,000 solar panels covering an area as large as 500 soccer fields. Owned by Dominion Resources, Inc., the farm was commissioned in December 2017.
“This agreement is part of Solvay's plans to expand its renewable energy sources to reduce our own greenhouse gas intensity as well as those of our customers, including Apple, which uses renewable power for its own operations,” said Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, CEO of Solvay.
“We’re thrilled to work alongside our suppliers like Solvay to transition to cleaner energy sources. Renewable energy investments are good for the environment and good for business. This is why Apple is now powered by 100 percent renewable energy and 23 of our suppliers, including Solvay, have committed to using 100 percent renewable energy,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives.
Solvay’s Specialty Polymers Global Business Unit has pledged to use 100 percent renewable power for all Apple production, currently across 10 manufacturing facilities in six countries. Solvay supplies materials used in Apple devices, such as the iPhone’s antenna band.
Solvay is an advanced materials and specialty chemicals company, committed to developing chemistry that addresses key societal challenges. Solvay innovates and partners with customers worldwide in many diverse end markets. Its products are used in planes, cars, batteries, smart and medical devices, as well as in mineral and oil and gas extraction, enhancing efficiency and sustainability. Its lightweighting materials promote cleaner mobility, its formulations optimize the use of resources and its performance chemicals improve air and water quality. Solvay is headquartered in Brussels with around 26,800 employees in 61 countries. Net sales were €10.1 billion in 2017, with 90% from activities where Solvay ranks among the world’s top 3 leaders, resulting in an EBITDA margin of 22%. Solvay SA (SOLB.BE) is listed on Euronext Brussels and Paris (Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLB.BR) and in the United States its shares (SOLVY) are traded through a level-1 ADR program. Financial figures take into account the announced divestment of Polyamides.
