Solvay Solexis announces today that it has decided to double the production capacity of an innovative, unique family of perfluoropolyether (PFPE) polymers, whose outstanding technical performance is matched by improved environmental sustainability. The production capacity for this category of products will be lifted substantially at the fluorinated polymers manufacturing plant of Solvay Solexis in Spinetta Marengo (Italy). The expansion plans include a very large capacity increase for the PFPEs sold under the Solvera® and Fluorolink® brand names, to be progressively implemented during 2008.
The Solvera® and Fluorolink® product lines are primarily implemented as water and grease repellants for grease-proof paper packaging, textiles and carpets. Solvera® was approved for food contact by Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BfR) in Germany and by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States.
Solvay Solexis is currently developing a whole range of new applications for its Fluorolink® product line in a variety of high-end markets, including new materials, additives for polymers and high performance coatings, among others.
The expanded plant will also produce hydrofluoropolyether (HFPE), which Solvay Solexis markets as high-performance heat transfer fluid with improved environmental impact, under the H-Galden® brand name.
“This investment for a further expansion of Solvay Solexis’ new and unique class of PFPEs creates a tremendous opportunity for sustainable and profitable growth,” commented Vincenzo Morici, General Manager of the Specialty Polymers Strategic Business Unit, Solvay. “Our strategy is placing the company in a position of excellence with strongly differentiated products,” Morici added.
“We are the only producers in the world for this class of products, which we believe has impressive market potential,” stressed Pierre Joris, Chief Executive Officer of Solvay Solexis. “Firstly, we are capturing a substantial part of existing markets such as water and grease repellant coatings. Secondly, we have the opportunity to enter into a whole range of cutting-edge applications, which are still embryonic today but hold considerable promise,” Joris added.
SOLVAY SOLEXIS is a fully-owned subsidiary of the Solvay group. Visit www.solvaysolexis.comfor more information.
SOLVAY is an international chemical and pharmaceutical Group with headquarters in Brussels. It employs some 29,000 people in 50 countries. In 2006, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 9.4 billion, generated by its three sectors of activity: Chemicals, Plastics and Pharmaceuticals. Solvay (Euronext : SOLB.BE - Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLBt.BR) is listed on the Euronext stock exchange in Brussels. Details are available at www.solvay.com
Notes to the Editors:
Fluorolink®/Solvera® PFPE:
Fluorolink® is a line of versatile fluorinated products based on perfluoropolyether (PFPE) technology. The chemistry of these products, when applied to a substrate or incorporated into a formulation, enables exceptional properties.
Substantial modification of surface properties of common polymers, typically their oleo-hydro repellence, antistick, stain release and coefficient of friction, can be obtained using small amounts of Fluorolink®. Higher amounts can lead to modification of bulk properties, for example mechanical properties (lower glass transition temperature, which improves processability), lower refractive index and gas permeability, and exceptional chemical resistance.
For water and grease repellant paper and paperboard applications, a special portfolio of PFPE grades was launched under the brand name Solvera®.
H-Galden® HFPE:
H-Galden® are hydrofluoropolyether (HFPE) fluids with a lower global warming potential which were developed to be implemented as heat transfer medium (i.e. coolant) in critical conditions. HFPE is used in front-end semiconductor manufacturing tools such as dry etchers, ion implanters, lithography steppers, etc.
