Solvay to Enhance its Adipic Acid Manufacturing Process by Launching an Energy Efficiency Program

Lyon -- Solvay Polyamide & Intermediates is investing in the adipic acid production line at its industrial plant in Chalamp茅, France. The intended capital investment aims at reinforcing cost leadership by significantly reducing the sites energy consumption.

The investment will result in a further improvement of the Adipic Acid manufacturing process contributing to Polyamide & Intermediates strategic positioning. It demonstrates the Groups commitment to operational excellence through energy efficiency programs and carbon footprint reduction initiatives.

"This new process will result in an 8MW reduction of energy consumption per year as well as 11,000-ton reduction in CO₂ emissions," points out Christophe Bertrand, Industrial Director of Polyamide & Intermediates. The intervention, which will require a complete shutdown of the manufacturing process, will take place in the fourth quarter of 2013 and will last about one month.

This project is part of Solvay Groups initiative to achieve a ?00M REBITDA improvement of its polyamide business by 2014. It marks the first major investment in productivity and efficiency, targeting business leadership and profitability as well as Sustainable development in line with the Group Solvay Way target.

About POLYAMIDE & INTERMEDIATES

SOLVAY POLYAMIDE & INTERMEDIATES is a major global producer of polyamide 6.6 intermediates and polymers focused on being a reliable partner to customers worldwide. P&I develops and provides polyamide 66 intermediates from HMD, Adipic acid, Nylon Salt down to polymers through its 7 industrial plants, 3 research & development centers and 7 sales offices in the world. Thanks to its fully integrated value chain, P&I is a major player on engineering plastics, textile, industrial yarns and performance fibers markets with its long lasting polymer range Stabamid® and its new intermediates product offer: Rhodiamine™ & Rhodiacid™ stretching the limits of its customers imagination.