Solvay, through its Solvay NOvecare subsidiary specialising in specialty surfactants, plans to build a new plant in Genthin, Germany, close to Berlin. The unit will develop and produce surfactant solutions for Solvay’s home and personal care and industrial customers serving Central and Eastern Europe.

"This investment advances the successful execution of our growth strategy, expanding production and development capabilities close to our markets and customers," said Emmanuel Butstraen, President of Solvay Novecare.

Workers in a Solvay production site (Tavaux, France) - Photographer: Bernard Foubert, © Sovay 2012

The plant will produce specialty surfactants that aid in the delivery of functional performance attributes such as cleansing, dispersal, moisturizing and texturizing qualities. The unit is scheduled to be operational by the first quarter of 2014 and initial operations will add more than 30 new jobs to the existing industrial platform in Genthin.

This announcement follows several recent strategic investments by Solvay Novecare, including the completion in January of two major production expansions at its derivatized guar facilities in North America and Asia.