Who said a manager’s journey was boring? Definitely not us! At Solvay, 59% of our managers grew their careers from within. They started with their first position, then came the projects, the challenges, the opportunities… and the chance to shape their own exciting story. 💙 To all our managers: thank you for inspiring our teams and driving our collective success.
Solvay is taking science-based action for biodiversity! 🌎 We are thrilled to announce a foundational step in translating global biodiversity goals into verifiable, local actions with the launch of a pioneering pilot at our Dombasle, France site. In partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), we are one of six pioneers testing the rigorous IUCN RHINO (Rapid, High-Integrity, Nature-positive Outcomes) approach and the STAR metric (Species Threat Abatement and Restoration). The goal? To create a replicable, science-based blueprint that can systematically screen site impacts, set evidence-based targets, and accurately measure our contributions to nature across our wider global network. As our Chief Sustainability Officer, Jean-Charles Djelalian, notes: "As a science-based company, we value expert insights that help us move from ambition to action. We are honored to pilot the RHINO approach and STAR metric." This measured approach is essential for delivering tangible positive impacts for nature.
It all starts at K... and your next big innovation can start with Solvay! At the K-Show 2025 in Düsseldorf, we're showcasing an innovation engineered to redefine how you approach thermoplastic foaming: the Alve-One® foaming solution. Join the Solvay team at the Azelis booth to discover how this solution is helping formulators elevate products across key sectors like Automotive, Footwear, and Building & Construction. This is more than just a switch; it's a leap in performance and responsibility. We'll show you the technical benefits of making the move: 🦺 Safety Improvement: A hazardous-free alternative that enhances workplace safety. ✅ Enhanced Comfort: Deliver final products with odorless foams and zero VOCs, meeting rigorous end-user demands. 💡 Production Efficiency: Boost efficiency for faster, more cost-effective manufacturing processes. ♻️ Sustainability Goal: Drastically reduce CO2 emissions by up to 10x, directly supporting your environmental targets. Don't miss the chance to see how you can elevate your products, meet stringent safety and sustainability goals, and achieve superior performance. We'll be ready to discuss making the seamless transition.
Solvay CEO, Philippe Kehren's recent trip to Thailand was a powerful reminder of how Solvay’s global vision creates local impact. 🌴 Restoring Ecosystems: A highlight was the formal inauguration of our Mangrove Reforestation Project in Map Ta Phut, a crucial initiative to protect coastlines and absorb carbon. Philippe joined local leaders to celebrate this commitment to environmental and social progress. 🦺 Reinforcing Safety: Philippe also connected with teams in Bangkok and Map Ta Phut for our Global Safety Week. Employees challenged him with a crucial question: "What is my personal reason for wanting to go home safe every day?" This direct engagement shows the strength of our safety culture. As Philippe said: "These trips re-energize me and reinforce my conviction that Essential Chemistry benefits our world." Thank you to the team in Thailand for your dedication!
We are so inspired by the incredible engagement we saw during our first-ever Solvay Global Safety Week! Our teams from around the world came together with a renewed commitment to our shared goal of zero accidents. From our global executive leadership team actively participating in site activities to over 1,500 people playing the online Safety Game, the week was a powerful reminder that safety isn't just a policy - it's a core part of our culture. The heartfelt reasons shared on our Safety Wall, from family to walking the dog, showed that our commitment as an organization to safety is deeply personal. This event reinforced that safety is essential and a conversation we must keep alive every day. Thank you to everyone who made this week a resounding success.
👷No protection = no innovation. In our production sites, research centers, and corporate offices, nothing starts without the right equipment. Safety Week started at Solvay this Monday like every other week here - with safety and integrity at the heart of everything we do. Stay tuned as we share an inside look at the powerful lessons learned from next week!
A safe and efficient workplace is built on more than just rules. We believe it's about the power of Operational Discipline. We spoke with Massimo Fedeli, Peroxides Industrial Operations & Innovation Director, to learn how this approach is protecting our teams, the environment, and infrastructure: ✅ A new standard for safety: This is about consistently applying robust standards from start to finish. It's the driving force behind manufacturing excellence, improving safety and efficiency. ✅ Safety is personal: Operational discipline means strictly following the rules - no exceptions. For leaders, this means "walking the talk" and making our Solvay Life Saving Rules a personal commitment. ✅ Beyond the rules: When a safety issue arises, we stop the unsafe work immediately. Then, we perform a deep root cause analysis to ensure the problem never happens again. What are your thoughts on making safety a personal commitment?
During the second edition of "UFABC for Girls" at our Santo André unit in Brazil, we brought together bright, young students with our engineers to inspire the next generation of STEM. The day was filled with hands-on experiences and powerful conversations. Here's what we learned: Lessons in leadership and innovation: The highlight was a panel of six engineers who shared their personal journeys. They spoke about overcoming obstacles and the importance of resilience. Their message was clear: women can not only succeed in male-dominated fields but also lead and innovate, creating real solutions for a better future. The power of practical experience: Behind-the-scenes look at our factory and labs demystified the chemical industry. This immersive tour showed participants the practical application of their academic knowledge and the variety of career opportunities available. It's one thing to learn about engineering; it's another to see it in action! This event reinforced the importance of empowering young women. We believe that by investing in the next generation, we're building a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone.
🌱 From sparking scientific curiosity to launching careers, we're passionate about opening doors for the next generation. Do you know all of our initiatives that help young talents learn and find their path? Whether it’s through immersive camps during the CERN x Solvay program, international awards for young chemists with the IUPAC, as well as our summer internships, summer camps or our graduate program, we are all in for STEM education. A big thank you to all the mentors and young minds involved in each edition, you make the future look bright!
We are happy to share an update on our second quarter results. In Q2, we delivered an underlying EBITDA of €230 million and €54 million in free cash flow. Our underlying EBITDA margin remained solid at 21%. We're pleased to report that our cost savings initiatives are progressing well, and we now anticipate exceeding our initial indication of €200 million in cumulated savings by the end of 2025. As previously communicated with our 2025 guidance update, the soft market environment continued into the second quarter. This was influenced by ongoing global tariff discussions, forex movements, and heightened geopolitical tensions, which led to a reduction in demand and a slowdown in order books, particularly visible in some soda ash end-markets and our Coatis business unit. It's important to note that our other businesses are performing in line with our expectations, despite current market pressures. We have what we need to navigate the current landscape and will continue to accelerate the transformation of the company.
