Having originally announced plans to produce EVA encapsulants in China that would come on stream by June 2011, Solutia has said that its new manufacturing facility in Suzhou was ready to supply commercial-grade Vistasolar EVA encapsulant. This is Solutia's first new EVA production facility to be developed after the acquisition of Etimex Solar GmbH of Germany.
“The industry requires reductions in cost per watt for solar energy,” noted Christopher Reed, Solutia photovoltaic business director. “By investing directly into China, our ability to reduce the total cost of production and enhance our service levels to Chinese module manufacturers is greatly improved.”
Solutia also produces ‘Saflex’ polyvinyl butyral (PVB) films at its Suzhou facility.