- This article deals with the company named Solvay. For other meanings see Solvay.
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| Type | Public (Euronext: SOLB) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1863 |
| Founder(s) | Ernest Solvay |
| Headquarters | Brussels, Belgium |
| Key people | Aloïs Michielsen (Chairman of the board), Christian Jourquin (CEO) |
| Industry | Chemicals |
| Products | Pharmaceuticals, chemicals and plastics |
| Revenue | €9.490 billion (2008)[1] |
| Operating income | ▲ €965 million (2008)[1] |
| Profit | ▲ €405 million (2008)[1] |
| Employees | 29,433 (2008)[1] |
| Website | www.solvay.com |
Solvay S.A. is a Belgian chemical and pharmaceutical company. It was founded in 1863 by Ernest Solvay to produce sodium carbonate by the solvay process. Since then the company has diversified to three major sectors of activity: pharmaceuticals, chemicals and plastics.
In 2008, the group’s consolidated sales amounted to € 9 490 million generated by its three activity sectors. Solvay is listed on the NYSE Euronext in Brussels.
The company has more than 400 units spread over 50 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and Australia and it employs about 30,000 people, 2,650 of them in research.
Solvay is main partner of Solar Impulse and has contributed to the airplane in particular, with important R&D resources, which is scheduled to make maiden test flights in 2010.[2]
Fuel cell technology:
SolviCore, a joint venture by Umicore and Solvay in the field of fuel cells is already pre-marketing membrane-electrode assemblies for different types of batteries for portable or mobile use.[3]
New generation lithium batteries for hybrid vehicles components make use of Solvay fluorinated polymers. Compared to conventional vehicles the hybrids reduce CO2 emissions by 30%. [4]
Pope John Paul II worked for Solvay during World War II to avoid deportation to Germany.[5] Solvay was the main shareholder in Sucreries Raffineries Bulgares (1897–1916), once the largest industrial enterprise in the Principality of Bulgaria.[6]
In September 2009 the firm agreed to sell its entire pharmaceuticals division to Abbott Labs for $6.6 billion.[7]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Annual Report 2008". Solvay. http://www.solvay.com/static/wma/pdf/1/5/0/3/0/RA08_EN.pdf. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
- ^ http://www.solarimpulse.com/en/documents/partner.php?lang=en&group=partner
- ^ Présentation SolviCore
- ^ http://www.solvaysolexis.com/static/wma/pdf/1/6/3/3/5/Solef_Liion_20090827EN.pdf Lithium batteries for hybrid vehicles
- ^ Holy See Press Office. ""His Holiness John Paul II: Short Biography"". Holy See Press Office. http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/documentazione/documents/santopadre_biografie/giovanni_paolo_ii_biografia_breve_en.html. Retrieved 2007-01-14.
- ^ Костов, Александър (2004). България и Белгия. Икономически, политически и културни връзки (1879-1914). София: Арт Медиа Комюникейшънс. ISBN 978-954-91634-1-4.
- ^ Gray-Block, Aaron; Blenkinsop, Philip (28 September 2009). "Abbott buys Solvay's drugs unit for 4.5 bln euros". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/mnaNewsIndustryMaterialsAndUtilities/idUSLS42647120090928?sp=true. Retrieved 2009-09-28.
External links
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