Solvay’s Changshu, China, site has significantly increased production capacity for its Solef polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) resin. The rapid growth of electric and hybrid vehicles is driving record demand for PVDF. This thermoplastic fluoropolymer is used both as a binder and separator coating in lithium-ion batteries.

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. The group now has more than doubled the onsite production volume of its high-performance polymer Solef polyvinylidene fluoride since mid-May 2022. Solvay also recently announced significant investment in Solef PVDF production at its site in Tavaux, France, which will transform it into the largest PVDF production site in Europe.

“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.”