Page 164 - CW E-Magazine (14-11-2023)

News from Abroad

ELECTRIC MOBILITY

Solvay and Orbia ink JV deal to build PVDF facility

in US

Belgium’s Solvay and US-based mobility. Our partnership with Orbia
Orbia’s Fluorinated Solutions business puts us in the driving seat to shore up
have signed a joint venture (JV) an independent, sustainable EV battery
agreement to create “the largest” poly- supply chain in North America and
vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) production create clean energy jobs.”
facilities for battery materials in the
North America region. “Our partnership with Solvay under-
scores our continued commitment to
Orbia and Solvay intend to use enabling the clean energy transition
two production sites: one in Augusta, innovations and Orbia’s raw material with our investments in energy mate-
Georgia (USA) for finished products; assets and production expertise will rials. Orbia has a unique ‘mine-to-
and one in St. Gabriel, Louisiana (USA) enable delivery of PVDF that enables market’ position with integration in
for raw material conversion to needed electric vehicles to go farther on each key battery materials needed to bolster
intermediates. Both plants are expected charge, extends battery life and im- North America’s EV supply chain and
to be operational in 2026. “This part- proves battery safety. With more than be IRA-compliant,” said Mr. Sameer
nership brings security of supply with half of US car sales projected to be elec- Bharadwaj, CEO, Orbia.
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) compli- tric by 2030, the US produced PVDF –
ant materials and leading-edge PVDF a thermoplastic fluoropolymer – will Solvay said it has also finalised an
technology together for solutions that allow supply for the rapidly growing EV agreement with the U.S. Department
are critical to the North American elec- battery market, meeting the growing of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing
tric vehicle (EV) transition,” the com- needs of US domestic energy storage and Energy Supply Chains for a $178-
panies said. markets. The new operations will pro- mn grant to Solvay to help build this
vide material for more than 5 million facility at its site in Augusta. The grant
The partnership secures the sup- EV batteries per year at full capacity was awarded to Solvay as part of the
ply by Orbia of materials for Solvay and create hundreds of jobs throughout U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
to manufacture its suspension-grade the value chain, the companies said. Act (IIJA) to expand U.S. domestic
PVDF production, which is used as a manufacturing of batteries for electric
lithium-ion binder and separator coat- Ms. Ilham Kadri, CEO of Solvay, vehicles and the electrical grid – as the
ing in EV batteries. Solvay will bring said, “We are proud of this important project will fill a significant supply gap,
its process technology and global mar- project, which is a key milestone in our building upon favourable regulatory
ket know-how to this venture. In combi- electrification strategy, emphasising conditions that promote regional pro-
nation, Solvay’s Solef branded PVDF our global commitment to sustainable duction and material security.

Noramco acquires Cambrex’s drug product

business unit

Noramco, a US-based active Purisys, additional service options “This acquisition allows Noramco
pharmaceutical ingredients (API) such as drug product formulation to provide our customers with more
manufacturer, specialising in con- development, clinical and commercial sourcing options beyond APIs. With
trolled substances, has completed drug product manufacturing, and these additional capabilities, Noramco/
the acquisition of the Cambrex drug packaging from facilities in Mirabel, Purisys customers can develop drug
product business unit previously Québec and Whippany, New Jersey. product formulations for their APIs
known as Halo Phamaceuticals. The Noramco is returning to the Halo for both clinical and commercial pur-
acquisition will provide API customers Pharmaceutical brand as part of this poses,” said Noramco’s CEO, Mr. Lee
of Noramco, and its subsidiary acquisition. Karras.

164 Chemical Weekly November 14, 2023

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