Belgian chemical producer Solvay is exploring options to split into two publicly listed companies, for planning purposes to be called EssentialCo and SpecialtyCo. If all goes as expected, the spinoffs will take effect in the second half of 2023.
Belgian chemicals and plastics giant Solvay is expanding its US portfolio of sulfone products to meet growing demand from what it says is a growing global base for polymer solutions for various in critical life science applications.
Reacting to the comet-like rise in demand for lithium oxide batteries used as separators and cathode binders in electric and hybrid vehicles, Solvay is expanding production of its Solef-branded polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) at its site in Tavaux, France.
Perstorp has appointed Patrice Pinsard as EVP Strategic Markets & Innovation, effective Oct. 18, 2021.
Leading global chemical companies and the World Economic Forum (WEF) have announced that they are entering an agreement to formalize the Low-Carbon Emitting Technologies (LCET) initiative into a stand-alone entity by the end of 2023, to share early-stage risks and co-invest in developing and upscaling low-carbon emitting technologies.
Solvay and Taiwan’s Shinkong Synthetic Fibers have agreed to create a joint venture for the development, production and marketing of electronic-grade hydrogen peroxide. The companies aim to close the transaction in the second half of 2021, pending regulatory approvals in Taiwan and other countries.
Solvay has announced that the International Chamber of Commerce’s arbitration tribunal has found Edison liable for breaching environmental representations and warranties in the sale of the Spinetta Marengo and Bussi sul Tirino sites in Italy to the Belgian group in 2001.
Verdant Specialty Solutions, Solvay’s former amphoteric surfactants business, has acquired DeForest Enterprises and ParaFlow Energy Solutions from Chemical Services Group for an undisclosed sum.
Solvay has appointed Pascal Chalvon Demersay to chief sustainability and government affairs officer, effective July 1, 2021, integrating the new responsibilities to his current role as chief sustainability officer.
Solvay has appointed Carmelo Lo Faro, previously president of the company’s composite materials business unit, as president of the materials segment, effective immediately.
Belgian chemical company Solvay is investing an undisclosed sum in Invizius, a UK biotech start-up that is developing a proprietary anti-inflammatory solution for hemodialysis. The spin-out of Edinburgh University will use the funds to complete a First-in-Man safety study of its H-Guard Priming anti-inflammatory product, which is designed to address the side effects of dialysis and other extra-corporeal treatments.
As a step toward meeting the targets of its One Planet roadmap and at the same time contribute to China’s carbon neutrality goals, Solvay has reached agreement with Engie China to build its first solar power plant at its Zhenjiang site. The facility due to start up in April 2022 will have solar power capacity of 891 kw and is expected to cut emissions by 550 t of CO2 equivalent annually.
Germany’s Federal Court of Justice has this time ruled in Solvay’s favor on a patent invalidation case brought by Neo Chemicals & Oxides Europe in a dispute that has raged for several years. The ruling reverses a decision made in January 2019 that revoked the German designation of a key Solvay patent on a cerium oxide-based product that is used to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in diesel engines.
Solvay’s transformation to a specialties company has taken another step forward with an agreement to sell its European and North American amphoteric surfactant business to US private equity firm OpenGate Capital.
Solvay has agreed to sell its technical-grade barium and strontium business in Germany, Spain and Mexico, as well as its sodium percarbonate business In Germany to French private equity group Latour Capital. Financial terms of the deal, which is set to complete in the first quarter of 2021, were not disclosed.
Solvay has announced it will reshuffle its hydrogen peroxide manufacturing network in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) to meet a shift in demand, which has been accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic.
Global chemical company Solvay and specialty chemicals distributor Oqema have entered into a distribution partnership for phenol and phenol derivatives. The partnership covers Solvay’s products hydroquinone, methylhydroquinone, TBC and PTZ for the monomers market, alongside other phenol derivatives for the agrochemicals and pharma markets.
