News | April 27, 1999

Solvay Picks Stone & Webster to Build PVDF Facility

Solvay Advanced Polymers, Inc. (Houston), has awarded Stone & Webster, Inc. (Boston) a lump-sum contract to engineer, procure, and construct (EPC) a grassroots fluorinated polymers plant in Decatur, AL. The unit will produce 5 million lb/yr of Solef polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) using Solvay's proprietary technology. When it opens at the end of 2000, it will be Solvay's first PVDF plant in the United States.

Solvay has already begun construction of vinylidene fluoride monomer (VF2) plant in Decatur, AL, that it will build and operate with joint-venture partner Dyneon LLC. It will use monomer from the facility for the new PVDF plant.

PVDF is widely used for plenum electrical cables because of its exceptional dielectric strength, light-weight, and flame resistance. Solvay will begin producing the fluoropolymer when its new plant opens in 2000.

Stone & Webster received full notice to proceed in February 1999, and projects a 21-month schedule through final construction completion. The company will manage EPC activities from its Houston Operations Center, with support services from its Decatur, AL, engineering center. Belmont Constructors Co., Inc., a wholly- owned Stone & Webster subsidiary, has been contracted to handle construction.

Stone & Webster is a major engineering, construction and consulting firm in the process, power, environmental/infrastructure, and manufacturing industries.

Solvay Advanced Polymers, Inc., part of Solvay America, produces chemicals, plastics, and pharmaceutical-related products. PVDF may be the second-most widely used fluoropolymer after PTFE. It has excellent chemical stability and aging resistance. Unlike PTFE, whose properties it approaches, PVDF is melt-processable and can be formed on the same machines used to convert commodity PVC. In addition to Solvay, other PVDF producers include Ausimont, Daikin, Elf Atochem, and Kureha.

For more information: Solvay America, Inc., 3333 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77098. Phone: 713-525-6000. Fax: 713-525-7887.