[March 25, 2015]

Solvay to Expand Peroxides Production to Serve Growing North American Markets

Solvay, the world's largest producer of hydrogen peroxide, plans to expand its production facility in Longview, WA., to meet growing demands from pulp and paper producers in the Pacific Northwest and other industrial markets around the United States.

Solvay expects to increase its North American production capacity by about 20 percent, supported by a multi-million dollar investment in Longview. This investment will help to ensure that Solvay can continue to supply key markets that rely on Solvay to support their own growth projections.

The investment will be in two stages. Longview construction is expected to begin later in 2015 and completion of stage one is expected in late 2016. Stage two of the expansion will take place in the near future as market conditions require. Plant employment will remain stable, augmented by contract workers during the construction stages.

Solvay's investment plans signify another substantial commitment to the Longview plant and to the region's industrial markets including the neighboring North Pacific Paper Corporation's (NORPAC) production facility. The expansion of Solvay's North American peroxides capacity will also support internal demand growth for electronic grade peroxide serving the electronics market.

Paul Hogan, Solvay's North American senior vice president for peroxides, explained, "We have seen tightening market conditions in recent years, conditions that should continue for the near future, and this investment is needed to suport our customers' significant growth. Additionally, our electronic grade hydrogen peroxide is experiencing strong growth and this investment will help secure our position in this important market segment."

"Solvay is the global peroxides market leader," he said, "and we remain committed to serving customers who, in turn, expect us to support their growth ambitions."

Since the Longview plant opened in 1989, Solvay has more than tripled its local production in a longstanding partnership with the forest products industry. In addition, Solvay's Longview employees have worked without a lost-time accident for almost the entire history of the site. Capping that commitment to safety, Solvay, since 2002, has consistently earned VPP Star Status from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), one of the first manufacturing sites in Washington State to do so.

As an international chemical group, Solvay assists industries in finding and implementing ever more responsible and value-creating solutions. Solvay generates 90% of its net sales in activities where it is among the world's top three players. It serves many markets, varying from energy and the environment to automotive and aerospace or electricity and electronics, with one goal: to raise the performance of its clients and improve society's quality of life. The group is headquartered in Brussels, employs about 26,000 people in 52 countries and generated 10.2 billion euros in net sales in 2014. Solvay SA SOLB.BE is listed on Euronext in Brussels and Paris (Bloomberg (News - Alert): SOLB.BB - Reuters (News - Alert): SOLB.BR).

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