SolVin, a joint venture between Solvay and BASF, announces today that it is planning to build a second production unit of Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) latex in response to growing global demand. PVDC latex is a specialty barrier material used as coating in packaging applications where the integrity of the goods is critical – essentially in the food and pharmaceutical sectors.
SolVin currently serves PVDC latex clients out of its production unit in Tavaux (France). SolVin is now considering the creation of a new unit with an annual production capacity of 10,000 tonnes, to be located possibly in Asia – for instance on Solvay’s site in Map Tha Put, Thailand. SolVin is expecting to make a decision by the third quarter of 2007 and to start construction work subsequently.
“The unique properties of polyvinylidene chloride latex, which SolVin markets under the Diofan® brand name, make it the preferred choice of the food and pharma industry to match the highest barrier requirements,” observed Vincenzo Morici, General Manager of the Specialty Polymers Strategic Business Unit, Solvay. “SolVin intends to uphold its commercial and technological leadership as well as its global reputation of excellence for this class of products. We will be in a position to continue serving our clients’ expansion, while feeding Solvay’s strategy of sustainable and profitable growth in the Specialty Polymers business,” Morici added;
SolVin is a joint venture of which Solvay owns 75% and BASF, 25%. It is a leader on the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) market in Europe and on the PVDC market worldwide.
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:
The unique set of properties of polyvinylidene chloride with combined water vapor and oxygen barrier properties, impressive barrier to oils, greases, chemicals, and to other gases and odors, transparency and printability, excellent thermoforming performance and machinability makes it effective in protecting foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals. These properties allow processors to limit the volume of material needed to manufacture safe and effective packaging.
