Brussels, 5 April 2012, at 7:30 am
SOLVAY DEVELOPS COST-EFFECTIVE SMALL SIZED HYDROGEN PEROXIDE UNITS FOR ON-SITE PRODUCTION AT ITS CUSTOMERS' SITES
Solvay's proprietary and innovative technology for HP production at the customers' sites in remote areas complements its HP production technology
Solvay announced today it is jointly developing with Peróxidos do Brasil a new concept of small cost-effective hydrogen peroxide (HP) production units for installation at its customers' sites. This on-site HP production concept is based on Solvay's new proprietary and innovative technology developments, which will allow it to operate cost-effective production units of sizes between 5,000 and 15,000 metric tons HP per year in safe and reliable conditions. This concept is well-suited for pulp and paper production plants in remote areas. An industrial pilot plant will soon be built at the Peróxidos do Brasil site in Curitiba, Brazil. Peróxidos do Brasil is a HP joint venture of Solvay and Produtos Quimicos Makay.
This new HP production technology complements Solvay's portfolio of HP production technologies, ranging from the typical HP plant with a capacity of 50,000 metric tons per year to the HP mega plant with a capacity that can exceed 300,000 metric tons per year. Two such mega plants have been erected by Solvay in joint projects with large chemical groups for downstream production of propylene oxide. A third one is projected to become operational in 2015. Solvay is developing this new breakthrough technology with many innovations in its HP R&D Center in Brussels, Belgium, and Peróxidos do Brasil's HP plant in Curitiba, Brazil.
"Solvay, the global hydrogen peroxide market and technology leader, is clearly committed to develop new cost-effective production technologies which allow competitive hydrogen peroxide use at remote sites where the cost of logistics is substantial. Remotely located pulp and paper producers in the fast growing markets of Latin America and Asia will benefit from this technology", commented Eric Mignonat, Senior Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Strategic Development Unit Essential Chemicals of Solvay. "Using on-site produced hydrogen peroxide as a bleaching agent will bring major benefits to these customers as it ensures reliable and cost-efficient supply of hydrogen peroxide," he added.
SOLVAY (http://www.solvay.com/) is an international chemical Group committed to sustainable development with a clear focus on innovation and operational excellence. Its recent acquisition of specialty chemicals company Rhodia (http://www.rhodia.com/) created a much larger player, which is realizing over 90% of its sales in markets where it is among the top 3 global leaders. Solvay offers a broad range of products that contribute to improving the quality of life and the performance of its customers in markets such as consumer goods, construction, automotive, energy, water and environment, and electronics. The Group is headquartered in Brussels, employs about 29,000 people in 55 countries and generated EUR 12.7 billion in net sales in 2011 (pro forma). Solvay SA (SOLB.BE (http://www.euronext.com/trader/summarizedmarket/stocks-2593-EN-BE0003470755.html? selectedMep=3)) is listed on NYSE Euronext (http://www.euronext.com/) in Brussels and Paris (Bloomberg: SOLB.BB (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/quote?ticker=SOLB%3ABB) - Reuters: SOLBt.BR (http://www.reuters.com/search?blob=SOLBt.BR)).
For further details, please contact:
| LAMIA NARCISSE (mailto:lamia.narcisse@eu.rhodia.com) | ERIK DE LEYE (mailto:erik.deleye@solvay.com) | MARIA ALCON-HIDALGO (mailto:maria.alcon-hidalgo@eu.rhodia.com) | PATRICK VERELST (mailto:patrick.verelst@solvay.com) |
| Corporate Press Officer | Corporate Press Officer | Head of Investor Relations | Head of Investor Relations |
| +33 1 53 56 59 62 | +32 2 264 1530 | +33 1 53 56 64 89 | +32 2 264 1540 |
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Source: Solvay S.A. via Thomson Reuters ONE
