Speciality chemicals manufacturer Solvay (Brussels / Belgium; www.solvay.com) has integrated the activities of its performance polymer business units to form Solvay Specialty Polymers (Bollate / Italy www.solvayspecialtypolymers.com). Solvay Advanced Polymers, Solvay Padanaplast, Solvay Solexis and SolVin PVDC have been brought together in the global business unit Solvay Group, representing around 15% of the company’s total sales (about EUR 1.1 bn in 2010). The newly formed unit has 2,500 employees across 26 locations in North and South America, Asia and Europe.

The reorganisation is expected to be completed by the end of 2011. Augusto Di Donfrancesco, general manager of Solvay Specialty Polymers, said: “Looking to the future, we expect the global high-performance speciality polymers marketplace to continue to present complex challenges and opportunities. Through this transformation, we are well positioned to capitalise on growth in the high-performance speciality polymers market while providing more value to our customers, business partners, employees and communities.”

Solvay said the new unit strengthens its global manufacturing and supply chain capability and leverages global research, development and technology (RD&T) expertise. The unit will further strengthen its RD&T capabilities through a reinvestment of 6% of its sales.