Solvay has launched a project to build a specialty polymers production plant for SOLEF Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) TECNOFLON Fluoroelastomers (FKM) and their essential monomer VF2 in China to satisfy the growing demand for these high value-added specialty polymers in Asia.

The plant will be built at Solvays industrial site in Changshu in the province of Jiangsu and is scheduled to become operational at the beginning of 2014. It requires the investment of EUR 120 million and will significantly boost Solvays global production capacity for these specialty polymers.

The TECNOFLON FKM product family is used for demanding sealing applications in aggressive chemical and high heat environments where high purity and long service life are essential such as those found in the automotive, aerospace, oil & gas and energy markets. Typical end use products include O-rings, seals, gaskets and complex molded parts. Demand growth for TECNOFLON is markedly driven by the buoyant China automotive market.

SOLEF PVDF can withstand heat and pressure, aggressive chemicals, mechanical stress and abrasive particles in varied applications and is widely used in Lithium-ion batteries, the chemical industry, membranes for water purification and oil & gas extraction.

The new plant in Changshu will be built next to the compounding plant under construction for Amodel polyphthalamide (PPA) Ixef polyarylamide (PARA) and Kalix (modified PARA) which is scheduled to become operational in the last quarter of 2012.

"This new production plant will enable Solvay to capture a part of the huge growth potential in this exciting and dynamic region. Well bring our customers more high value-added polymers which will help them improve their environmental footprint and sustainability profile," comments Jacques van Rijckevorsel, Group General Manager of Solvays Plastics Sector and member of the Executive Committee.

"The plant in Changshu will transform the site into a strong industrial base for fluorinated polymers and their essential strategic feedstock in China. We can this way leverage the Chinese Fluorine supply chain, be closer to our customers and diversify our supply basis by adding a new production base for both SOLEF PVDF and Fluoroelastomers TECNOFLON," adds Augusto Di Donfrancesco, Senior Executive Vice President and General Manager of Solvays Global Business Unit Specialty Polymers.