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Solvay has begun a process of decarbonizing the cyclopentanone unit of its Melle plant in France. Through an agreement with an agricultural cooperative for the next fifteen years, the entire cyclopentanone production will indeed rely solely on biomethane gas, a green source of energy.
The cooperative built a facility to convert waste biomass into18 GWh of renewable natural gas (RNG) per year, which Solvay has committed to purchase for its Melle plant.
“Since cyclopentanone is used as a building block for so many fragrance applications, such as jasmine, we are committed to producing it in the most sustainable way,” said Guillaume Meunier, Flavor & Fragrance Global Marketing Director for Solvay Aroma Performance. “Powering the Melle plant with biomethane gas is a part of our Solvay ONE Planet initiative, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissionsby 26% by 2030.”
Solvay commercializes two grades of cyclopentanone – one for the fragrance market and one ultra-high purity version for the electronics market, both manufactured at its Melle plant. In fragrance applications, cyclopentanone is used as a building block mainly in methyl dihydro jasmonate (MDJ) which provides a delicate floral bouquet of blooming jasmine flowers. Other aroma chemicals derived from cyclopentanone include an entire range of delta-lactones which offer a variety of delicate creamy and fruity notes.
Cyclopentanone is used as well in the electronics market as a solvent during several steps in the manufacturing process of semiconductors.
To learn more about Solvay’s portfolio of fragrance solutions please visit solvay.com.
About Solvay
Solvay is a science company whose technologies bring benefits to many aspects of daily life. With more than 24,100 employees in 64 countries, Solvay bonds people, ideas and elements to reinvent progress. The Group seeks to create sustainable shared value for all, notably through its Solvay ONE Planet plan crafted around three pillars: protecting the climate, preserving resources and fostering better life. The Group’s innovative solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices, health care applications, water and air purification systems. Founded in 1863, Solvay today ranks among the world’s top three companies for the vast majority of its activities and delivered net sales of €10.2 billion in 2019. Solvay is listed on Euronext Brussels (SOLB) and Paris and in the United States, where its shares (SOLVY) are traded through a Level I ADR program. Learn more at www.solvay.com.
About Solvay Aroma Performance
Solvay Aroma Performance is a global leading producer of diphenols, and the world’s largest integrated producer of vanillin for food, flavors & fragrances industries. Aroma Performance also produces a wide range of synthetic intermediates, used in monomers and polymers, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and electronics markets. Aroma Performance Global business unit owns manufacturing plants and sales offices on 3 continents.
