Solvay's Thai unit invests 160 million euros to build new plant

Belgian chemical and plastics company Solvay SA said that its Thai unit Vinythai PCL is investing 160 million euros (US$231.98 million) to build a plant and use Solvay’s Epicerol technology. The new plant is scheduled to be operational in the first quarter of 2012, with an annual production capacity of 100,000 metric tons. The Epicerol technology is based on the transformation of glycerin obtained as by-product from the production of biofuels out of vegetable oils. Epichlorohydrin is an essential feedstock for the production of epoxy resins, increasingly used in applications such as corrosion protection coatings as well in the electronics, automotive or aerospace industry. (January 7, 2010)