Solvay to build SE Asia's largest bicarbonate plant in Thailand

Solvay, a manufacturer of soda ash and bicarbonate, is planning to build South-East Asia's largest sodium bicarbonate plant in Thailand. With a total capacity of 1,00,000 tonne per year, this new facility will help meet the growing demand for high quality products from the region's dynamic healthcare and food markets.
 
Solvay will invest Euro 20 million in the plant due for start-up in the first half of 2015 to supply its high-quality BICAR® product range throughout the region. BICAR is a high-quality range of products used in a variety of industries, including food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and in industrial applications. The plant will be located on Solvay's existing site in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate (Rayong province, Thailand) and will consequently benefit from strong synergies in infrastructure, utilities and supply chain.
 
ALSO READ: Chinese pharma intermediates may become uncompetitive compared to India: Ashwin Shroff, Excel Industries Ltd

The plant will use Solvay's new generation BICAR production technology which minimises waste generation, optimises energy recovery and maximises yield. The project is fully supported by the Board of Investment in Thailand. “This project is the latest illustration of Solvay's sustainable growth strategy in Asia and reinforces our global leadership in sodium bicarbonate and soda ash. The new plant will provide a fast, secure and reliable supply of our BICAR products to the healthcare and food industries within the region,” says Pascal Juery, President of Solvay Essential Chemicals.
 
ALSO READ: Solvay and Sadara JV begins construction of hydrogen peroxide plant

Further to this expansion in Asia, Solvay continues to reinforce its manufacturing network in Europe with recent investments in Dombasle (France) and Torrelavega (Spain). Both factories received GMP Pharma and CEP certifications according to recent changes in European Pharmaceutical legislation.