Solvay and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation seal three-year partnership to accelerate the transition to a circular economy

Solvay and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation have today signed a Global Partner agreement for three years, raising the Group’s opportunity to significantly contribute in accelerating the transition towards a circular economy in the chemicals sector.

The partnership will explore solutions aligned with the principles of a circular economy, in contrast to​ today’s linear take-make-dispose economic model.

“The circular economy is increasingly important for our businesses and our customers who are asking us to bring solutions to the table that meet their sustainability needs. Joining the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and partnering with renowned global players will make the difference in enhancing the quality of our knowledge and research to faster move towards circularity,” said Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, CEO of Solvay.

“We are delighted to welcome Solvay as a Global Partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The chemicals industry lies at the heart of the global economy, so holds great potential to spark system-level change in the move towards a restorative and regenerative circular economy,” said Dame Ellen MacArthur.

Solvay will join the Foundation’s eight Global Partners Danone, Google, H&M, Intesa Sanpaolo, NIKE, Inc, Philips, Renault and Unilever, as the only Global Partner for the chemical sector from 2018 to 2020.

Since British sailor Ellen MacArthur established the Foundation in 2010, the charity has emerged as a global leader in putting on the agendas of decision makers in business, government and academia a more rapid transition to a circular economy. 

Solvay is a multi-specialty chemical company, committed to developing chemistry that addresses key societal challenges. Solvay innovates and partners with customers in diverse global end markets. Its products and solutions are used in planes, cars, smart and medical devices, batteries, in mineral and oil extraction, among many other applications promoting sustainability. Its lightweighting materials enhance cleaner mobility, its formulations optimize the use of resources and its performance chemicals improve air and water quality. Solvay is headquartered in Brussels with around 27,000 employees in 58 countries. Net sales were € 10.9 billion in 2016, with 90% from activities where Solvay ranks among the world’s top 3 leaders. Solvay SA (SOLB.BE) is listed on Euronext Brussels and Paris (Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLB.BR) and in the United States its shares (SOLVY) are traded through a level-1 ADR program.