May 19, 2025 – Solvay, a global leader in advanced materials, has announced a major strategic coup with the signing of multi-year supply agreements worth over €150 million. Teaming up with renowned automotive manufacturers and battery producers, the company will supply its flagship battery-grade Solef® polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) starting from the first quarter of 2025. This move is set to fortify Solvay’s dominant position in the battery materials market and capitalize on the exponential growth of the electric vehicle (EV) industry.
Solef® PVDF, a high-performance thermoplastic fluoropolymer, plays an indispensable role in lithium-ion batteries. By enhancing the adhesion and binding properties between electrodes and separators, it significantly boosts battery durability, efficiency, and safety, making it a preferred choice for both electric and hybrid vehicles. Beyond PVDF, Solvay offers a comprehensive suite of lightweight, high-performance, and energy-efficient materials tailored for automotive applications, covering everything from EVs and hybrids to conventional combustion engines—an testament to its versatile technological prowess and market reach.
AsiaMB has learned that Solvay is making substantial strides in capacity expansion and localizing its supply chain. On April 25, 2024, the company broke ground on its largest North American PVDF production facility in Augusta, Georgia. Backed by a massive $178 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, the plant aims to meet 45% of the U.S. PVDF demand by 2030, with an annual output sufficient to support over 5 million EV batteries. Operated as a joint venture with Orbia, the facility leverages both partners’ raw material and technological strengths to establish a domestic battery supply chain. Additionally, the project is expected to generate over 600 local jobs, injecting significant economic stimulus into the region. Meanwhile, Solvay’s PVDF capacity expansion at its Tavaux plant in France is slated for completion by the end of 2025, further bolstering its global production and supply capabilities.