Solvay to build alkoxylation facility in Singapore

Solvay Novecare has announced that it is to build a large scale alkoxylation facility in Singapore connected to Shell’s new high purity ethylene oxide (HPEO) unit, located in the petrochemical hub of Jurong Island. The new plant is projected to start operations by 2015 and will produce specialty alkoxylate surfactants, which deliver targeted cleansing, dispersing, de-foaming and emulsifying performance attributes in formulations for a range of industries including home and personal care.

The on-pipe facility will be supplied by an ethylene oxide pipeline from Shell to feed the alkoxylation activities, which Solvay Novecare says highlights its long term commitment to sustainable production and the growing demand from its end markets.

Commenting on the project, Emmanuel Butstraen, President of Solvay Novecare, said: “This project is aligned with our aggressive growth strategy in Asia and solidifies our specialty surfactant production. In addition to greatly expanding our alkoxylation footprint in Asia the facility also demonstrates Novecare’s ambition to be the world leader in delivering innovative surfactant solutions to our customers on a global basis.”

"We are very pleased to forge this strategic relationship with Solvay,” added Fang Yea Yee, General Manager, Ethylene Oxide and Glycols at Shell Chemicals. “By connecting our operations with ours it allows for both companies to strengthen our value offerings to our customers and to take advantage of the many growth opportunities across our global businesses.”

Solvay is already Asia’s largest specialty surfactant supplier with 11 production sites and two R&D centres in Singapore and Shanghai and the company hopes its newest facility will enable it to penetrate further into key southeast Asian markets such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.