Solvay inaugurated its new large-scale alkoxylation plant in Singapore, the largest plant of its kind in Asia, as part of its global strategy to expand the growth of its specialty surfactants in the region. The nearly SGD 50 million (USD 37 million) “on-pipe” investment will help meet that demand, complementing existing India and China facilities and joining Solvay Novecare’s seven other alkoxylation plants in Europe and North America.

Located in the world-class integrated petrochemical hub of Jurong Island, the plant receives a key raw material, ethylene oxide, via a dedicated pipeline, and fatty oleochemicals from nearby countries, providing a safe and sustainable source of supply for the near and long term.

“Reinforcing our presence in fast growing countries and proposing innovative solutions to our customers in our key strategic market segments in the region are the key principles driving Solvay Novecare today. The addition of this new asset in Singapore continues the execution of this strategy and will be pivotal to Solvay’s growth strategy,” said Emmanuel Butstraen, president of Solvay Novecare.

The unit produces specialty alkoxylate formulations for the agrochemicals, coatings, home & personal care, industrial and oil & gas markets in Asia, especially for those in key South East Asian countries such as Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. The plant bolsters Solvay’s competitive position in the region, ensuring the development of alkoxylate solutions for customers who will be supported by strong technical teams from the R&I center located near the plant.

“We are delighted to have companies like Solvay who continue to invest in Singapore’s chemical industry. Their new facility attests to Singapore’s attractiveness as a location for companies looking to capture growth opportunities in the region,” said Cindy Koh, director, Energy & Chemicals, Singapore Economic Development Board. “We will continue to build upon our existing strengths in logistics and infrastructure to bolster integration across the chemical value chain on Jurong Island to deliver greater value to companies.”

The plant opening coincides with Solvay’s announcement of its expansion of the oil & gas research lab unit at its research and innovation centre in Singapore. The Singapore laboratory focuses on leading global innovation projects in the fields of coatings and home & personal care. It also serves as a regional hub in the development of new sustainable solutions in the agrochemical market. The new oil & gas lab unit confirms the strategic ambition of Solvay Novecare for Asia.

Solvay Novecare is a worldwide leader in specialty surfactants and a major player in polymers, amines, guar and phosphorus derivatives. Solvay Novecare engineers and develops formulations that provide consumer products and state-of-the-art industrial applications with specific functional qualities designed to modify fluid behavior and deliver cleansing, dispersal, gelling, moisturizing, penetrating, softening or texturizing properties. These formulations are used in shampoos, detergents, paints and lubricants as well as in crop protection, mining and energy production and stimulation.