Solvay plans to double the production capacity of Solef® PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), a high-performance polymer at its Changshu production base in China, to consolidate Solvay's leading position in the lithium battery market.
The project is a concrete manifestation of the Solvay Group ’s recently announced G.R.O.W. strategy, which emphasizes investment in high-growth, sustainable solutions in the materials sector. Currently, the project is scheduled to be put into production in the first half of 2022.
Augusto Di Donfrancesco, a member of Solvay ’s Executive Committee, said: “After our recent announcement to increase production capacity in Europe, Solvay ’s decision to increase the capacity of Solef® PVDF in Changshu demonstrates our continued commitment to meeting the needs of customers worldwide.”
Driven by the development of sustainable transportation, the demand for PVDF in the application of lithium batteries for electric vehicles has reached double-digit growth, and Asia is its largest market. Solvay Solef® PVDF innovative products and solutions help customers improve the efficiency of energy storage systems by increasing the energy density, safety and power of the battery. Other application growth areas of PVDF include offshore oil and gas pipelines and liners, high-purity semiconductors, and filter membranes for water purification.
Recently, the World Efficient Solutions Alliance, created by the Solar Impulse Foundation, has recognized Solef® PVDF as a profitable and sustainable solution with a clean environment value.