Solvay SA operates as an advanced materials and specialty chemicals worldwide. It operates through four segments: Materials, Chemicals, Solutions, and Corporate & Business Services. The Materials segment offers specialty polymers, including aromatic polymers, high barrier polymers, and fluoropolymers for the electronics, automotive, aircraft, and healthcare industries; and composite materials for civil and military aircraft manufacturers, as well as various industrial markets. The Chemicals segment produces and sells soda ash and sodium bicarbonate primarily to the flat and container glass industries, as well as for use in detergents, agro, and food industries; hydrogen peroxide for use primarily in the paper industry to bleach pulp, as well as chemicals, food, textiles, and environment; and glycerin-based solvent solutions and specialty phenols for use in the production of synthetic resins employed in foundries, construction, and abrasives. This segment also offers dispersible silica used primarily for tire manufacturers. The Solutions segment develops and produces formulations that alter the properties of liquids for the oil and gas industry; and offers specialty solutions for home and personal care, agriculture, and coatings markets. This segment also provides specialty mining reagents, phosphine-based chemistry, and solutions for stabilization of polymers; offers fluor and rare-earth formulations for automotive, semi-conductor, and lighting applications; and produces vanillin for the flavors and fragrances industries, as well as synthetic intermediates used in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and electronics. The Corporate & Business Services segment provides energy and other business services. The company was founded in 1863 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.