Strong demand for high-performance sealing applications has prompted Belgium’s Solvay to expand capacity of its Tecnoflon fluoroelastomers in Changshu, China, and Spinetta Marengo, Italy.

The Brussels-based group will increase production of specific peroxide curable and bisphenolic terpolymer grades by 30% in total (at current product mix) by the fourth quarter of 2019.

Mike Finelli, president of Solvay’s Specialty Polymers global business unit, said the company’s unique fluoroelastomer footprint, which stretches from Europe to the US and Asia, allows it to strategically manage and interchange manufacturing so that it can focus on increasing production where it is most needed.

Solvay said the major drivers of growth are hybrid and low emission internal combustion engines along with applications in the semiconductor industry.  Typical uses include O rings, seals, gaskets and complex molded parts.

Last month, Solvay also announced that it would raise output of its Solef polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) high-performance polymers in Tavaux, France, by more than 35% to meet strong global demand growth in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. The additional output should be available by the end of 2019.

Other growing applications include offshore oil and gas pipes, and liners and membranes for water purification.

Separately, Solvay has extended its distribution agreement with Germany’s Biesterfeld. From January 2019, Biesterfeld will distribute the Belgian group’s sulfone polymers in Switzerland. The portfolio includes the Udel, Radel and Veradel brands.