Belgian chemicals producer Solvay (Brussels; www.solvay.com) is joining forces with Chinese fluorochemicals company Shanghai 3F New Materials Co (SH3F; www.sh3f.com/en_about.asp) to create a PTFE JV in China. Located in Changshu in Jiangsu province, the JV will produce fluoromonomer TFE and PTFE polymers for the fast-growing Asian market.

SH3F will hold an 80% stake in the JV and Solvay will hold the remaining 20%. SH3F will contribute its TFE and PTFE production plant, which is under construction and is expected to be completed by the first quarter in 2014. SH3F will operate the plant, while Solvay will contribute a cash payment and license its PTFE technology.

In addition, the two companies agreed that SH3F will supply Solvay with raw materials 142b and HFP for a fluorinated polymers production unit that Solvay is building at an adjacent site in Changshu – see Plasteurope.com of 28.06.2011. Solvay said the agreement will enable its specialty polymers business to produce a larger and richer fluoropolymer product mix for use in markets such as automotive, photovoltaic, Li-ion batteries, membranes for water purification and oil and gas. Solvay’s new fluoropolymer production plant is expected to be completed in phases throughout 2015.