Introduction

In his authoritative history on The Chemical Industry 1900-1930, the economichistorian L. F. Haber summed up the role of the Solvay company:"Solvay’s own enterprises were relatively small, but their interests and connectionswithin Belgium as well as outside were extensive." He continued: "Acomprehensive history of Solvay is badly needed and would fill a major gap inour knowledge of the development of the European chemical industry."1 Thisbook fills that gap.Solvay and its history stand out for several reasons. During most of its 150years of existence Solvay remained one of the leaders in its fields, but, moreinteresting, it also was one of the earliest multinational, or "polynational,"2groups, as well as being a family-controlled firm up to the present time. Thesetwo features taken together make the company unique in the chemical industry,and perhaps even among businesses more generally.Moreover, the influence ofthe Solvay family - as well as the company - extends far beyond the realm ofbusiness. Solvay has lent its name to a number of initiatives in the field of scienceand education, particularly to the famous international conferences on physicsand chemistry that have been organized since 1911. In its home country Solvayis an icon, being one of the last independent crown jewels from when Belgiumwas the second most industrialized country in the world. The large numberof institutes, schools, and streets named after Solvay in Belgium illustrates theenduring impact of Solvay’s legacy to that small nation. Paradoxically, theresilient tradition of secrecy that lay at the core of the company’s technologicalsuccess has long hindered a better understanding of its multiple lives. Thepresent book aims to end that obscurity