Solvay Sodi Gets Bulgarian Eco-Investor Award

The chemical plant Solvay Sodi received Bulgaria's annual "Investor in the Environment" award by the Bulgarian Forum of Business Leaders.

The ninth annual prize for environmentally responsible business was presented by Bulgarian Vice-Minister of Economy Julieta Hubenova.

For the 2011 edition, a record of 65 competition projects by 45 companies have been tabled for the contest.

The winners of the award will receive the right to compete for the European Environmental Award in 2014.

"Solvay Sodi is constantly striving for improvement of environmental protection via controlled use of natural resources, limiting the levels of emissions in the atmosphere, waters and soils, as well as waste reduction," said the chemical factory management in a statement.

"In view of its commitment to sustainable development, Solvay Sodi invests heavily in covering the highest international standarts, including developing its co-generative facility, worth BGN 150 M. The latter is the only reasonable way to ensure the energy needed for our industry," added Solvay

Solvay Sodi is the largest Soda Ash plant in Bulgaria and Europe for synthetic soda ash production, with a nominal capacity of 1.5 Mt/y.

The first soda ash plant was opened in 1954. In 1974, an entirely new larger factory was built near the old one.

Sodi Devnya was privatized in 1997. 98 % of the company's share capital belongs to Solvay Sisecam Holding, registered in Vienna and comprising of the Belgian chemicals group Solvay (75 %) and Turkey's chemicals group Sisecam (25 %).

In 2000, Solvay Sodi acquired ownership of some of its main suppliers of raw materials and energy – Deven power plant, the brine supplier Provadsol, and jointly with Devnya Cement – the limestone quarry of Devnya Varoviк.

Solvay Sodi is one of the biggest producers in Bulgaria, representing around 1% of total Bulgarian export.

You can read an interview by Novinite.com (Sofa News Agency) with Solvay Sodi CEO Eric Vander Vorst HERE.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!