Alpharetta, Ga. – Solvay Advanced Polymers, L.L.C., has completed its previously announced plans to expand the production capacity of its sulfone polymers plant in Marietta, Ohio, and its sulfone monomer plant in Augusta, Ga.

In Marietta, the capacity to produce UDEL® polysulfone resins has been increased by 15 percent while the capacity to produce sulfone monomer has been increased by 10 percent at the Augusta plant.

George Corbin, Solvay Advanced Polymers’ global business manager for the sulfone polymers business, said this is the second year in a row that the company has completed significant projects to expand production capacity at these two plants.

"Approximately a year ago we completed projects that increased the Marietta plant’s production capacity for RADEL® R polyphenylsulfone and RADEL® A polyethersulfone resins by 40 percent, and the capacity of the Augusta plant to produce 4,4’ dichlorodiphenylsulfone by 15 percent," Corbin said.

"These expansions testify to the ongoing commitment we are making to support our customers’ continued growth," Corbin added.

The plant expansion announcement comes on the heels of a new product, UDEL P-3700 HC, that Solvay Advanced Polymers unveiled recently at two major trade shows.

UDEL P-3700 HC is an extension of Solvay Advanced Polymers' UDEL polysulfone product line. This product offers near water white clarity, allowing flexibility in designs that require high clarity or a range of bright colors that were not possible previously with polysulfone. "It is the lowest-color, highest-clarity grade product produced commercially to date," Corbin said.

"About three years ago, seeing a rising unmet need for lower-color polysulfones in several markets, our company decided to commit a sizable portion of its research and development efforts to meeting this need," Corbin added.

Typical applications for this new polysulfone include food and beverage service and tableware, appliance components, dairy equipment, face shields, and lighting components such as lenses and covers for automotive or residential/commercial lighting where temperature requirements approach 300 °F (149 °C).

UDEL P-3700 HC was introduced to the market at PlastecWest in late February, and National Manufacturing Week in early March.

About Solvay Advanced Polymers

Solvay Advanced Polymers, L.L.C., is an indirect subsidiary of Solvay America, Inc., the U.S. holding company of Solvay S.A. The company produces high-performance polymers that are used in a wide range of demanding applications in the automotive, aerospace, industrial, food service, medical and electronics industries worldwide.

Solvay Advanced Polymers products include IXEF® polyarylamide and PRIMEF® polyphenylene sulfide product lines of Solvay S.A. combined with a portfolio of materials that had comprised BP Amoco’s engineering resins business. For more information about this and other Solvay Advanced Polymers products and services, visit www.solvayadvancedpolymers.com.

SOLVAY is an international chemical and pharmaceutical Group with headquarters in Brussels.  It employs more than 30,000 people in 50 countries.  In 2002 its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 7.9 billion, generated by its four sectors of activity: Chemicals, Plastics, Processing and Pharmaceuticals. Solvay is listed in the Euronext 100 index of top European companies.  For further information please see www.solvay.com. Solvay is listed in the Euronext 100 index of top European companies. Details are available at www.solvay.com.

For further information please contact :

Kelly R. Pinkerton ,
Solvay Advanced Polymers, L.L.C.
Tel: 770.772.8495
Fax: 770.772.8460
E-mail : kelly.pinkerton@solvay.com