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Brussels, September 14, 2018 --- Solvay today unveils its ambitious project to turn its research center, located in Lyon’s renowned ‘Chemical Valley’, into the Group’s largest Innovation & Technology Center. The Center’s integrated approach to innovation, combining scientific skills and market proximity, will enhance Solvay’s customer focus as a key enabler of the Group’s strategy.
The open and agile I&T Center, connected to the region’s rich academic and industrial ecosystem, will develop innovative solutions for the Group’s growth engines Advanced Materials and Formulations. Over time, it will bring about 1,000 people together.
“Solvay’s new Innovation & Technology Center, embedded in France’s birthplace of chemistry, is ideally placed to optimize our research capabilities in Europe. From this site, our teams will be able to partner with our customers and accompany them from generating ideas to their development and subsequent industrialization, thereby driving our innovation capacity,” said Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, CEO of Solvay.
David Kimelfeld, President of the Métropole de Lyon, said: “The creation of its largest Innovation & Technology Center in the region confirms Solvay’s commitment to the Lyon metropolitan area. This major project is core to the economic vitality of the Chemical Valley, epitomizing its role in the industrialization and internationalization of advanced chemistry. I am particularly proud of this innovation hub anchored in Lyon and of our relationship of trust with Solvay.”
Solvay has selected a French consortium of seven companies lead by architecture firm Patriarche to reimagine the use of the 17 hectare-site in Saint-Fons.
With this ambitious project, Solvay reinforces its anchorage in the Lyon region, where all in all it will employ 2,100 people. Its strategic importance is further underlined by plans to house its business and support functions teams from Paris, Aubervilliers and Lyon in a new business center in the city by 2021.
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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.
