Solvay Group, the Brussels, Belgium-headquartered chemicals giant, has opened its first fully dedicated industrial biotechnology laboratory in Brazil to boost the development of innovations and solutions based on sustainable chemistry.
The fully integrated laboratory in Paulinia will chiefly focus on researching new processes and molecules derived from biomass, which is mostly plant or vegetable based and abundantly available in Brazil with its favorable climate and vast surface.
Solvay research and innovation group general manager Louis Neltner said: “With this laboratory Solvay can further nourish its innovation portfolio, using renewable resources, with tailored solutions to meet sustainability demands from customers in multiple end-markets.
“Thanks to Brazil's wide variety of biomass, competitive agricultural businesses and biotech expertise the country has all the required conditions to develop and grow products and solutions based on renewable resources.”
Research programs in place include projects in flavors, fragrances, surfactants, cellulose derivatives and solvents.