Solutia

Solutia Inc. (NYSE|SOA) is a chemical production company. It was formed in 1997 as a spin-off of Monsanto Company.

History

Monsanto's core business was chemicals, and so Solutia traces its antecedents back to the foundation of Monsanto in St. Louis in 1901. Following growth and diversification, and then significant litigation surrounding various products, Monsanto changed its character through mergers and spin-offs. This included the creation of Solutia as an independent company on September 1, 1997, after shareholders approved the spin-off of the chemical businesses.

Bankruptcy

Solutia filed for bankruptcy in early December 2003.Solutia emerged from bankruptcy on February 28, 2008.

Current operations

Solutia's 2007 product line includes:

Polyvinyl Butyral resins and films (trade names Saflex and Butvar)

Aqueous Dispersions of Polyvinyl Butyral (trade name Butvar Dispersions)

Ultra low VOC, low odor coalescing solvent (trade name Solusolv 2075)

nylon6,6 polymers and fibers (Trade names Vydyne and Ultron)

nylon6,6 intermediate chemicals, including Adipic acid, Hexamethylenediamine, and

Nitrilotriacetic acid.

Aviation hydraulic fluids (trade name Skydrol)

Heat transfer fluids (Trade name Therminol)

Precision coated films (Trade names Llumar and Gila)

Antimicrobial pesticide products (used in mold remediation)

Rubber chemicals, including antioxidants, stabilizers, and crosslinking agents.

2004 figures:
*Headquarters: St. Louis
*Turnover: $3 billion
*Assets: $4 billion
*Employees: over 9,000
*Manufacturing plants: 35
*Presence in 30 countries.

Prior to the formation of Solutia, Monsanto spun off its rubber chemicals business into Flexsys, a 50:50 joint venture with Akzo Nobel. This included a plant at Cefn Mawr, near Ruabon, in north-east Wales. In early 2007, Solutia announced the intent to acquire all of Flexsys, including Akzo's portions. This acquisition was completed on May 2, 2007 * [http://investor.solutia.com/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=soluq.pk&script=418&layout=-6&item_id=994619] . This acquisition added 19 manufacturing facilities worldwide to Solutia.

Solutia Announced in March 2007 the intent to sell its Dequest water treatment chemicals business to Thermphos.* [http://investor.solutia.com/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=soluq.pk&script=418&layout=-6&item_id=972786] This is expected to be completed in mid-2007.

Solutia emerged from bankruptcy on February 28, 2008.

External links

* [http://www.solutia.com/pages/corporate/ Company website]