HOUSTON, Dec. 22, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Solvay Chemicals Inc. will implement Solvay's new unique high productivity technology at Solvay Chemicals' hydrogen peroxide production unit in Deer Park, Texas, in the second quarter of 2005.
The implementation of this award-winning innovation is scheduled to increase the annual production capacity of the unit by 60%. Hydrogen peroxide production capacity at Deer Park after expansion will be 260 million pounds (118 kt) per year in a single line. The high productivity technology gives Solvay the ability to significantly increase production capacity with minimal capital investment.
In parallel, Solvay Chemicals will permanently deactivate the mothballed capacity at the Deer Park site that was taken off line in 1999.
At the same time, Solvay is planning new investments in Chile to satisfy fast-growing market demand in South America, including the creation of a new hydrogen peroxide plant, where the Group would implement its high productivity technology and could also transfer some equipment from Deer Park.
"We have developed a proprietary technology that is making our competitiveness leap forward," commented Eric Mignonat, Solvay Managing Director for Hydrogen Peroxide. "In addition, the Group is expanding on markets which experience strong growth. In South America, this growth is fueled by the impressive performance of the local pulp and paper industry as well as by important applications in the mining industry," Mignonat said.
Hydrogen peroxide is used for its oxidizing properties in applications such as bleaching paper and textile, the treatment of effluents, in pharmacology and as an intermediate in the chemical industry. It breaks down into water and oxygen, and therefore its utilization generates no by-products and no residue, except water.
Solvay (www.solvay.com) is an international chemical and pharmaceutical group with headquarters in Brussels. It employs more than 30,000 people in 50 countries. In 2003 its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 7.6 billion generated by its three activity sectors: chemicals, plastics and pharmaceuticals. Solvay is listed on the Euronext 100 index of top European companies.
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