Solvay merges fluoropolymer units into Solexis

BRUSSELS, Belgium (Dec. 2)—Solvay Group is merging its fluoropolymers activities with those acquired from Ausimont S.p.A. in May into a new business called Solexis, which will be launched Jan. 1. With headquarters in Bollate, Italy, Solexis will generate annual sales of about $600 million from a portfolio of fluoropolymers, fluoroelastomers—the Ausimont Tecnoflon business—and fluorinated fluids. The company will employ about 1,800 and have major bases in Italy, the U.S., France, Japan and Brazil, Solvay said. The Solexis name conveys the concepts of solutions and excellence in science, the firm said. "This is the most important investment in the history of Solvay," said Bernard de Laguiche, Solvay Solexis CEO. "Two cultures are merging, the respective winning points are reinforcing the new company, which emerges with a strong orientation toward research and development activities to meet the market needs."