MOSCOW (MRC) -- Solvay will invest to double the capacity of its Technology Solutions global business unit’s high molecular weight (HMW) hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) production facility in Willow Island, West Virginia, USA, as per the company's press release.
The core HALS products currently produced at the site are the foundations for the CYNERGY and CYXTRA polymer additive product families that enable Solvay customers to transform the performance characteristics of polyolefin plastics into advanced polymers for specialty applications in building and construction, agricultural films and a host of consumer and industrial uses.
"As the leading global specialty HALS supplier, this investment is a commitment to our customers, giving them the peace of mind that comes with surety of supply and added confidence to continue to innovate new and novel solutions for their own customers," explained Domenico Romanino, Senior Vice President, Additive Technologies.
The investment is for a second, fully independent HMW HALS manufacturing unit to complement the existing line at Willow Island and is slated to be operational by mid-2019. Solvay will leverage the site’s technological and operational talent and expertise, as well as the raw material and supply chain already in place to accelerate the unit’s build out.
Specialty HMW HALS technology provides UV light stabilization and other properties to extend the life and performance of plastics in outdoor conditions and applications, offering the opportunity to lightweight parts by successfully replacing metals, glass, wood and other less efficient and versatile materials.
As MRC informed before, in late 2016, Solvay completed the sale of its 70.59% stake in Solvay Indupa to Brazilian chemical group Unipar Carbocloro, following the approval earlier this month of the Brazilian antitrust authority CADE.
Besides, in early July 2016, Solvay completed the divestment of its shareholding in Inovyn (London), bringing to an end Solvay's chlorvinyls joint venture with Ineos. Solvay received exit cash proceeds amounting to EUR335 million (USD370.7 million). The dissolution of the jv follows regulatory clearances from the relevant authorities.
Inovyn was formed on 1 July 2015 as a jv between Ineos and SolVin, a subsidiary of Solvay. Solvay and Ineos signaled their decision to end their chlorvinyls jv in March this year.
Solvay is headquartered in Brussels with about 27,000 employees spread across 58 countries. It generated pro forma net sales of EUR10.9 bn in 2016, with 90% made from activities where it ranks among the world’s top 3 players.
MRC