Solvay to raise FKM capacity in Italy by 30% 

Brussels - Solvay SA is expanding production capacity for fluoroelastomers (FKM) at its manufacturing site in Spinetta Marengo, Italy, the company has announced.

The Belgian chemicals company is increasing the plant’s output by 30% to serve the “ongoing strong demand” for high performance sealing applications in the automotive, oil & gas and semiconductor industries.

Marketed under Tecnoflon, the grades manufactured at the Italian plant are peroxide curable with high resistance to chemicals and a fluorine content range from 67% to 70%, according to Solvay. 

The materials are designed to produce O-rings, shaft-seals, turbo charger hoses and complex shapes for the automotive and chemical process industry. 

Set for commissioning by May 2021, the new capacity follows recent expansions at the same site as well as a at the company’s production plant in Changshu, China. Solvay also manufactures Tecnoflon FKM in the US.

Solvay has improved its position in the supply of FKM fluorelastomers in recent years, through expanding its manufacturing footprint in Europe, the US and China. 

This most recent investment enables the company to supply materials for advanced applications such as turbocharger designs that reduce fuel consumption and CO? emissions, according to Augusto Di Donfrancesco, member of Solvay’s executive committee.