Solvay plans new production facility in Taixing

Solvay is studying the construction of an epichlorohydrin production plant in Taixing, China, with an initial capacity of 100,000 tonnes yearly. The plant, which is expected to start producing in 2013, will be based on Solvay’s innovative Epicerol technology. The company has already reserved a construction site in Taixing Economic Development Park.

 The plant is set to serve the rapidly growing Chinese epichlorohydrin market, which currently represents 29% of the world market. Epichlorohydrin is an essential feedstock for the production of epoxy resins, increasingly used in applications such as corrosion protection coatings as well in the electronics, automotive, aerospace industry or wind turbine industry. The Epicerol technology is based on the t ransformation of glycerin obtained as by-product from the production of biofuels out of vegetable renewable oils. Production of biofuels and thus glycerin as byproduct is expected to continue to show strong growth. In order to secure supply of other raw materials for the plant, Solvay has signed a letter of intent with SP Chemicals Taixing, a large chemicals producer, to study the feasibility of a chlor-alkali supply by SP Chemicals.