Belgium's Solvay to enforce glycerine patent

23 October 2007 23:07  [Source: ICIS news]

BRUSSELS (ICIS news)--Belgian chemical major Solvay is taking actions against a Chinese epicholorohydrin (ECH) producer for allegedly infringing on its patents for Epicerol, the firm's glycerine-based production process, a company executive said on Tuesday.

Solvay’s business manager for chlorinated organic products, Bruno Jestin, did not disclose the Chinese producer’s name. However, he said Solvay's intellectual property specialist has already sent a warning letter to the Chinese producer. 

Jestin spoke about the company’s Epicerol investments at the ICIS Global Oleochemical Conference in Brussels, Belgium. The two-day conference ends on Wednesday.

“We are not sure if we will be able to shut down this plant, but we are taking actions, and it will take time,” Jestin said. Solvay currently has 22 patents regarding its Epicerol technology.

The company said demand for ECH has been strong - especially in Asia, which has projected growth of 8.5%. ECH’s major application is as an intermediate for the production of epoxy resins.

In April, Solvay started up its first Epicerol plant in Tavaux, France, which has a capacity of 10,000 tonnes/year. The company is currently building a 100,000 tonne/year Epicerol plant in Map Ta Phut, Thailand.

“The plant will require 100,000 tonnes/year of refined glycerine, and we are currently on the lookout for possible suppliers,” Jestin said.

The plant is expected to start up at the end of 2009.

By: Doris de Guzman
+1 713 525 2653

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