Markets and Products

Our strategy is to focus our activities on those markets to which we bring value, by developing for our customers innovative and competitive solutions that are tailored to the present and future demands of their final consumers.

Through its diverse offering, Solvay seeks to improve the performance and ease of use of products employed every day. Its solutions based on specialty surfactants, its polymers and its fluorinated fluids contribute to the effectiveness of detergents and hygiene products. Its polymers, polyamide and intelligent fibers are used by the textile industry to create high-performance clothing. The range of cellulose acetates serves the cigarette filters market. For health professionals, the Group develops a wide range of products including specialty polymers for biocompatible medical implants, synthesis intermediates and sodium bicarbonate for effervescent tablets.

Solvay offers the automotive market polyamides, specialty polymers and composites that improve performance and contribute significantly to lighter vehicles. Fluorinated electrolytes and lithium salts improve the efficiency of batteries. Solvay’s solutions enable automakers to meet constantly rising global standards such as rare earth oxides for catalysis and silicas for the tire labeling. On the aeronautics market, the chemical, mechanical and thermal resistance properties of Solvay advanced solutions contribute to the performance and safety of airplanes.

Solvay products and solutions respond to the needs of players right along the food chain. Upstream, its guar derivatives, its fluorinated compounds and its solvents protect crops and improve their productivity, while respecting the environment. Downstream, its range of vanillins contributes to healthier diets, for example by contributing to reducing fats and sugars in processed foods. Sodium bicarbonate promotes a balanced diet and preserves animal health. Finally, cellulose acetate is used to produce environmentally responsible food packaging.

Solvay supports energy markets in their quest for improved performance and lower costs. Guar or surfactants provide solutions for oil and gas extraction. PVDF films improve the performance and durability of solar panels, while lithium salts increase battery performance. Solvay processes and solutions are used to produce energy from biomass. Solvay offers its industrial customers its expertise in energy optimization. Elsewhere, Solvay proposes solutions for reducing air, water and soil pollution.

Solvay products make it possible to design buildings that are at once more sustainable, healthier to live in and consume less energy. Its solutions are used in the production of flat glass and double or triple glazing window structures to stringent environmental requirements. Fluorinated products permit the production of high quality insulating foams. Biodegradable solvents are used in paints and “green” coatings. Finally, fluoropolymers and engineering plastics increase the fire resistance of electrical components and cabling.

Solvay specialty polymers opens new horizons in terms of design, safety and performance to its industrial customers, who take part in the forward march of tablets and smartphones, of OLED technology, of rigid and flexible displays, computer processors and memories and of semi-conductors based on rare earths. For the electrical connectors industry, Solvay develops specific products and fluorinated polyamides with circuit breaker and flame-retardant properties. It also offers eco-responsible solutions including the recycling of rare earths and bio-based polyamides.

Solvay provides industries with agents and intermediaries to meet their challenges of competitiveness and environmental performance.