In Thailand, Solvay has inaugurated what it says is Southeast Asia's largest sodium bicarbonate production facility.

The €20 million plant built at the Belgian chemical group’s site in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Rayong province, has capacity to produce 100,000 t/y and is designed to meet growing demand for high-quality products in Asian healthcare, food and other consumer goods markets.

Solvay said its new Bicar process technology minimizes waste, optimizes energy recovery and maximizes yield. The plant itself, which received financial support from Thailand’s Board of Investment, is said to benefit from strong synergies in infrastructure, utilities and supply chain.

“The addition of Southeast Asia's largest sodium bicarbonate plant complements our existing presence in Europe and in the United States and creates a new platform to further grow our business in Asia,” said Christophe Clemente, president of Solvay's Soda Ash & Derivatives business unit.

Clemente added that Solvay’s “unique” global industrial network of nine sodium bicarbonate plants takes it closer to global and local customers and brings them high-quality products and services and best certification standards, along with a reinforced security of supply.