Belgian chemicals and plastics producer Solvay is teaming up with Indian specialty chemicals producer Anthea in a new joint venture dedicated to the supply of catechol derivatives to the worldwide flavors & fragrances, agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals market.

Through the new jv, which scheduled to be in place by Q1 2020 and trade under the name CATàSYNTH Speciality Chemicals, the two producers said they intend to establish an additional, reliable supply for a range of products including methylenedioxybenzene, heliotropin (piperonal) and helional, all key ingredients for the targeted applications.

A joint production facility is currently under construction at Anthea’s Mangalore site and is planned to be fully operational by the first quarter of next year.

Peter Browning, president of the Solvay Aroma Performance global business unit, said the partnership is “fully aligned” with the Belgian group’s strategy to reinforce downstream integration, adding that Solvay is committed to continue enlarging its product offer for the relevant markets whilst ensuring excellent quality and security of supply.

Vincent Paul, founder and chairman of the Anthea group, said the link-up with Solvay will allow it to “significantly expand” production capacities of methylenedioxybenzene and heliotropin as well as enlarging its product range to address other derivatives for the agrochemicals and pharma markets.

Anthea has been producing synthetic heliotropin for the flavors & fragrances market since 2010 in Crown Chemicals, using a patented manufacturing processes, Paul noted.