At its site in Changshu, Jiangsu / China, Belgian chemicals and polymers producer Solvay (Brussels; www.solvay.com) is more than doubling production capacity for its high-performance polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) sold under the “Solef” trademark. The size of the increase, expected to be onstream by the first half of 2022, was not disclosed. Solvay said the upgrade supports its recently announced “G.R.O.W.” strategy, which focuses investment in high-growth sustainable solutions in materials.

According to the group, sustainable mobility is driving double-digit growth demand for PVDF in applications such as lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, and Asia is the largest market. Solvay said its solutions and innovation pipeline in PVDF will help customers optimise energy storage efficiency by increasing the battery’s energy density, safety and power. Other growing applications for the high-performance polymer include offshore oil and gas pipes and liners, high-purity semiconductors and membranes for water purification.