Solvay to build region's largest bicarbonate plant in Thailand

With a total capacity of 100,000 tonnes per year, it should help it meet the growing demand for such products from the region’s healthcare and food markets.

The Belgian chemical company will invest 20 million euros (nearly Bt850 million) in the plant due for start-up in the first half of 2015 to supply its Bicar product range throughout the region. The plant will be located on Solvay’s existing site in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong province and will consequently benefit from strong synergies in infrastructure, utilities and supply chain, the firm says. 

This new investment project will be managed by Solvay Peroxythai, the first Solvay entity installed in Thailand 25 years ago. 

The plant will use Solvay’s new-generation Bicar production technology, which minimises waste, optimises energy recovery and maximises yield. The project is fully supported by the Board of Investment of Thailand, which granted full privileges to the new investment by Solvay Peroxythai in June.

“This project is the latest illustration of Solvay’s sustainable-growth strategy in Asia and reinforces our global leadership in sodium bicarbonate and soda ash. The new plant will provide a fast, secure and reliable supply of our Bicar products to the healthcare and food industries within the region,” said Pascal Juery, Solvay president for essential chemicals.