Solvay Energy Services aims to optimize the energy costs and CO₂ emissions both of the Group and on behalf of third parties. It also manages projects to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change.
 
Solvay Energy Services makes use of the expertise of Solvay, Rhodia and Orbeo to optimize the energy purchases of the Solvay group, which amount to EUR 1.2 billion per year, as well as helping the Business Units and production sites manage their energy requirements and CO₂ emissions. In addition Solvay manages energy co-generation facilities worldwide with an installed production capacity to date equivalent to 1000 MW. These various resources will contribute toward the Group’s objective of a 20 percent reduction in its energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
Solvay Energy Services also develops activities to help external customers reduce their environmental footprint. These will mainly focus on energy services, CO₂ management and the development of renewable energy and biofuels.

CO₂ and energy activities include the purchase and supply of energy for the needs of the Group (mainly electricity and gas), the management of projects to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) and the optimization of the sale of CO₂ credits through the ORBEO offer.

Control of energy costs is largely dependent on the adaptation of an integrated approach to purchasing, industrial processes and market optimization. Solvay Energy Services was one of the founders of Exeltium, a consortium comprising some of France’s most electro-intensive companies. Exeltium has signed a 15-year electricity supply contract with EDF, with prices indexed to nuclear energy prices.

In Brazil, Solvay Energy Services has partnered with Paraiso, a privately-held company, to develop its first bagasse-based biomass project. Paraiso has a plant that produces ethanol and sugar from sugar cane. Solvay  Energy Services will upgrade and operate the cogeneration unit using the plant’s biomass as a raw material to produce electricity, while Paraiso has committed to supply Rhodia with all bagasse and other sugar cane solid waste on an exclusive basis. Most of the electricity generated by the cogeneration unit will be sold to the grid, while the Paraiso site will also be supplied with electricity and steam by the new unit.