Solvay’s new Veradel® PESU line in India comes on-stream

Alpharetta, Ga., Oct. 16, 2019 --- Solvay has started the operation of its new Veradel® PESU (polyethersulfone) line at its plant in Panoli, India. Solvay is raising capacity to address significant demand mainly from the Healthcare and Water Treatment industries, for this high-performance thermoplastic material.

This capacity increase is a part of Solvay’s plan, announced in 2017, to raise sulfone polymers production capacity by 35 percent in five years. The plan also includes investments and process optimizations at its polymer and monomer units in Marietta, Ohio and Augusta, Georgia in the United States.

“Solvay's multi-annual global expansion of sulfone polymers means that our customers worldwide can continue to rely on us for service and security of supply in the long term and will enhance our leading position in fast-growing industries such as water purification and healthcare,” said Mike Finelli, President of Solvay's Specialty Polymers Global Business Unit. “This new capacity will boost our ability to offer a comprehensive range of sulfone polymers in Asia, Europe and the United States.”

Solvay also produces base resin for KetaSpire® polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and AvaSpire® polyaryletherketone (PAEK) at the Panoli plant. Solvay’s sulfone polymers, which include Veradel® PESU (polyethersulfone), Radel® PPSU (polyphenylsulfone), and Udel® PSU (polysulfone), are used in a range of highly demanding industries, such as healthcare, aerospace, automotive, water treatment, electronics, consumer and construction.

®AvaSpire, KetaSpire, Radel, Udel and Veradel are registered trademarks of Solvay.

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 24,500 employees in 61 countries. Net sales were €10.3 billion in 2018, 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 planned divestment of Polyamides.

Solvay Specialty Polymers manufactures over 1500 products across 35 brands of high-performance polymers – fluoropolymers, fluoroelastomers, fluorinated fluids, semi-aromatic polyamides, sulfone polymers, ultra-high performance aromatic polymers, and high‑barrier polymers – for use in Aerospace, Alternative Energy, Automotive, Healthcare, Membranes, Oil & Gas, Packaging, Plumbing, Semiconductors, Wire & Cable, and other industries. Learn more at www.solvayspecialtypolymers.com.