Producer
Solvay S.A. (Specialty Polymers / HFAs)
Belgian specialty chemical company (Euronext: SOLB; post-2023 split Solvay entity; HQ Brussels); Specialty Polymers division produces HFA refrigerants and fluoropolymers. Solvay produces HFA-134a at European facilities as part of its fluorine chemistry chain. For pharmaceutical applications, Solvay competes with Koura in European pharma-grade HFA-134a supply. Solvay is also developing HFC alternatives for the EU F-gas phase-down. Solvay's HFA-134a European production was subject to F-gas quota restrictions, which have tightened annually since 2015.
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HFA-134a (pMDI Pharmaceutical)
20%PVDF & Fluoropolymers
30%Soda Ash & Basic Chemistry
30%Specialty Polymers (Post-2023 Solvay)
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Did you know2023
Solvay produces HFA-134a for European pMDI inhaler production (pharmaceutical supply chain) AND Solef PVDF for EV battery electrode binders (clean energy supply chain) AND Solvay process soda ash for European glass and chemical manufacturing (industrial supply chain). The same Belgian chemical company's fluorine chemistry serves asthma medication delivery, electric vehicle batteries, and commercial glass production -- three supply chains with entirely separate procurement monitoring. EU F-gas regulations that restrict HFA-134a supply affect the pharmaceutical inhaler supply chain while simultaneously not affecting PVDF battery binder supply (PVDF is not subject to F-gas restrictions). Solvay must navigate EU fluorine regulation policy that affects its pharmaceutical business while not affecting its EV battery business -- and its soda ash business is unaffected by fluorine regulation entirely. Three regulatory environments affecting three of its divisions with no cross-regulatory coordination.
Solvay SA ↗Origin2023
Solvay SA is the company named after Ernest Solvay, who invented the Solvay process for synthetic soda ash in 1861 -- one of the most significant chemical engineering innovations of the 19th century that enabled mass-market glass, soap, and chemical production. In 2023, Solvay split into two publicly-listed entities: Solvay (retaining soda ash, hydrogen peroxide, and basic chemistry) and Syensqo (the high-performance materials and specialty chemicals spinout). The HFA-134a pharmaceutical propellant and PVDF fluoropolymer businesses remained with Solvay in the 2023 split. Solvay's HFA-134a production for European inhaler manufacturers places the 162-year-old soda ash invention company at the center of the EU pharmaceutical inhaler transition -- the same company that invented soda ash to make 19th century glass also makes the propellant being phased out of 21st century asthma inhalers.
Solvay SA ↗