The investment addresses the surging demand for this critical material used in the manufacturing of advanced integrated circuits.
Chemical giant Solvay has officially announced a significant expansion of its facility in Zhenjiang, China, effectively doubling its annual production capacity of electronic-grade hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The strategic move is a direct response to the escalating global demand from the semiconductor industry, where this ultra-pure chemical is a fundamental component for producing cutting-edge integrated circuits.
This expansion solidifies Solvay's position as a key supplier in the high-stakes electronics market. Electronic grade H2O2 is essential for critical cleaning and etching processes in chip production, where even the slightest impurity can lead to device failure. The required purity is so extreme that contaminants are measured in parts per trillion, a level of precision that few companies worldwide have the capability to achieve.
The company's investment builds upon its initial foray into electronic-grade H2O2 production at the Zhenjiang site in 2018. The decision to expand comes at a time when the semiconductor industry is experiencing rapid growth, fueled by the continuous miniaturization of integrated circuits, a trend often described by Moore's Law, which predicts the number of transistors on a chip will double approximately every two years.
According to Carlos Silveira, President of Solvay's Peroxides business, the capacity increase highlights the company's agility and dedication to its customers in the fast-paced electronics sector. "Thanks to Zhenjiang's well-established business environment and specialized support, this expansion strategically positions us to continue supplying critical materials for the next generation of technological innovation," Silveira said.
Solvay's INTEROX® Pico grades are renowned for their industry-leading purity and uniformity, with manufacturing processes that are consistent across its global network of facilities. This worldwide consistency is a crucial factor for semiconductor producers who require a reliable and uniform supply chain regardless of their location.
The inauguration event on September 15, 2025, was attended by key figures from the Zhenjiang Economic and Technological Development Zone, as well as Solvay CEO Philippe Kehren and Carlos Silveira. This new investment in China joins other recent expansions in the United States, Europe, and Taiwan, further cementing Solvay's leadership in the electronic chemicals market. The company serves a wide range of critical applications beyond just semiconductors, including flat panel displays, photovoltaics, and MEMS/LED fabrication.
