Solvay SA history, profile and history video
Solvay SA engages in the manufacturing and distributing of chemical and plastic products. The company operates through five business segments: Consumer Chemicals, Advanced Materials, Performance Chemicals, Functional Polymers and Corporate & Energy. The Consumer Chemicals segment offers specific products to consumer products and to advanced industrial applications through its divisions Novecare, AromaPerformance and Coatis. The Advanced Materials segment offers aerospace, high-speed trains, health, low-energy tires, automotive emission control, smartphones and hybrid vehicle batteries through its Specialty Ploymers, Silica, Rare Earth Systems and Special Chemicals. The Performance Chemicals offers chemical products through Essential Chemicals, Acetow, Eco Services and Emerging Biochemical’s. The Functional Ploymers segment offers the chlorovinyls and the polyamide products to serve construction, infrastructure, automotive and electrical and electronic markets. The Corporate & Business Services segment offers Energy Services and other corporate functions. The company was founded by Ernest Solvay in 1863 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.“
“Solvay History
150 years of a distinctive history
150 years ago, Ernest Solvay discovered a new process for manufacturing sodium carbonate using sea salt, ammonia and carbonic acid. In 1863, the young chemist filed his first patent and, with his brother Alfred Solvay, built the first plant near Brussels.
Beginning in 1870, Solvay embarked on rapid international expansion, building plants in England, Germany, Russia, and the United States. In 1900, the Solvay process represented 95% of the world soda production.
The Group survived both World Wars, thanks to its family shareholder base and jealously guarded manufacturing secrets. And by the early 1950s, Solvay diversified and resumed our global expansion.
Come 2008, Solvay divested its Pharmaceuticals branch to focus on two areas: Chemicals and Plastics.
In 2011, Solvay launched a successful friendly takeover bid for Rhodia, a French chemical company.
In 2013, the Group, now radically transformed, began a new chapter in its history.”
*Information from Forbes.com and Solvay.com
**Video published on YouTube by “Solvay Group“
