Bollate, Italy, September 22, 2011 – Solvay Solexis, a Solvay Specialty Polymers company, announces today the development of Solef® 41308 PVDF, a new series of Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) for special use in the Oil & Gas industry.

This new generation of Solef® PVDF is designed for direct adhesion onto metals and allows the construction of multilayer coating systems. While a first layer is applied with conventional Electrostatic Powder Coating techniques for providing corrosion protection, a second layer of a compatible Solef® PVDF grade is extruded on the pipe and adds thermal insulation and mechanical strength.

In comparison with existing Polyolefin-based coating systems, Solef® PVDF offers direct adhesion to metal (no need for tie layers), higher thermal stability, higher chemical and permeation resistance, excellent weatherability, higher mechanical strength and better thermal insulation properties at lower thickness. A two-layer system for use up to 150°C.

The main targeted market is the Oil & Gas industry, in which piping systems moving hot crude oil are typically buried, laid in open constructions or in deep ocean waters and must operate safely for many years.

Solef® PVDF has a very long track record in high-temperature unbonded flexible risers and flowlines and is widely recognized as a high performance thermoplastic with an outstanding balance of properties, from excellent thermal resistance to superior chemical and very good mechanical resistance.

Solvay Specialty Polymers offer the Oil & Gas industry today's largest and highest performing portfolio of polymers: fluoropolymers and cross-linkable compounds for anticorrosion coatings and for fluid and gas transport, fluorinated fluids for drilling operations, fluoroelastomers for seals, polyaryletherketones for longer lasting compressor valve plates, polyamide-imides for replacing metal in high-temperature friction and wear applications.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alberta Stella
+39 02 3835 6671
Alberta.Stella@solvay.com