Solvay S.A. (Brussels, Belgium) announced that its Changshu, China site has significantly increased production capacity for Solef PVDF, demonstrating the Group’s commitment to meeting the needs of customers worldwide.
Solvay continues to extend its leadership position in the global lithium-ion battery market with the early completion of its PVDF capacity increase in Changshu, China. The Group has now more than doubled the onsite production volume of its high-performance polymer Solef polyvinylidene fluoride since mid-May 2022.
The rapid growth of electric and hybrid vehicles is driving record demand for PVDF. This thermoplastic fluoropolymer is used both as a binder and a separator coating in lithium-ion batteries. It plays an essential role in ensuring that batteries perform better, last longer and operate safely. Developed using Solvay’s research and innovation expertise in fluorinated chemistry and polymerization technology, Solef PVDF is an industry-leading product, inspiring the continuous development of new solutions that will help meet customers’ needs both now and in the future.
Solvay also recently announced significant investment in Solef PVDF production at its site in Tavaux, France, which will turn it into the largest PVDF production site in Europe. The increased production capacity in China serves as further evidence of the Group’s deep commitment to ensuring that material is readily available to customers worldwide.
“Demand for lithium-ion batteries is undergoing massive growth,” said Francescantonio Azzariti, Head of Commercial for Solvay’s Battery Platform. “We are inspired both by the environmental benefits as we transition to cleaner mobility and by the commercial opportunities these new technologies offer.”