Solvay has announced that it is progressively creating a cluster of three research, development and technology (RD&T) centers in India, Korea and China. The investment program will be completed before the end of 2011. They will endorse innovation and sustainable development in the region and give a boost to Solvay's growing presence in Asia. Each center will focus on customer-tailored innovation for the region by leveraging the various strengths of the Group, focusing on open innovation with the regional academic world, approaching key markets and applications and fostering Asian talent.

The Indian Research, Development and Technology center will be based near Vadodara, in Gujarat State of the Republic of India. The Korean Center will be housed in Ulsan and the Chinese center in the Shanghai region. The center in India will focus its efforts mainly on high-performance polymers, organic chemistry, nano composites, biotechnology and green chemistry. The center in Korea will be driven by high-growth markets such as electronics, lithium ion batteries and photovoltaic cells. The center in China will tailor innovative solutions for the tremendous Chinese market. All three centers will progress in parallel.

To support its strategy of sustainable growth, the Solvay Group is also reinforcing its high-level competencies in the fields of science, technology, patent, regulation and procurement in each center as well as in Thailand, where the group's regional operating headquarters are located.

"Innovation is one of the highest priorities for Solvay. We are committed to work closely with the research talent in this very promising region and we look forward to increase the intensity of the cooperation with the academic world in Asia", says Christian Jourquin, Chief Executive Officer of the Solvay Group. "The creation of the three RD&T centers and the reinforcement of the high-level competencies in the region show clearly Solvay is pursuing its strategy to develop its activities and presence in this part of Asia", adds Roger Kearns, Region General Manager Asia Pacific and member of the Executive Committee of the Solvay Group.