21 Nov 2011
Rhodia and Endura join forces for the production of eco-friendly Piperonyl Butoxide
Lyon, France, November 21, 2011 ---- Rhodia Aroma Performance, world leader in the production and sale of Catechol, and Endura Fine Chemicals, worldwide Iargest producer and market leader of Piperonyl Butoxide (PBO), have signed a supply agreement that will guarantee a viable alternative to the production of PBO that was previously made from limited natural raw material.
PBO is a well-known synergist used in household insecticide formulations. It was traditionally produced through a sassafras* oil-based route. This production process is highly demanding in terms of natural resources, as roughly 70 kg of sassafras wood are required to make only 1 kg of PBO. Considering the amount of PBO used yearly in the world, its production would require the equivalent of about 100 football fields of trees translating into devastating deforestation.
Both committed to Responsible care®**, Rhodia and Endura have decided to join their expertise to maintain the only completely synthetic route for PBO, thus avoiding depletion of resources. Endura has developed a patented process based on its core competency in chloromethylation which makes PBO from Catechol.
“On our side, we are very pleased to partner with Endura on our Catechol feedstock; this demonstrates our commitment to accompany our customers in their eco-friendly initiatives”, says Alessandro Chiovato, Business Director CPHS for Rhodia Aroma Performance.
“Thanks to this alliance between Rhodia and Endura, this synthetic PBO is by far the most sustainable insecticide synergist available on the market and opens new opportunities in the agro-chemical sector“, says Cosimo Franco, Managing Director of Endura Fine Chemicals.
* Sassafras is a deciduous tree of the Lauraceae family, native of Eastern North America and Eastern Asia.
** Responsible Care® is a voluntary initiative created by the global chemical industry through ICCA to promote the continuous improvement of products, processes and behaviors in the Safety, Health and Environment fields.
Reader enquiries
Rhodia Aroma Performance
Etoile Part-Dieu, 190, avenue Thiers
69457 LYON Cedex 06
France
Notes for editors
About Rhodia Aroma Performance:
The Aroma Performance company (GBU), part of Rhodia's "consumer chemicals" cluster, is the world leader in the production and sale of Catechol. Through its Crop Protection, Health and Specialties division, Rhodia offers intermediates and molecules for the agri-food, pharmaceuticals and electronics markets.
About Rhodia:
Rhodia, member of the Solvay group, is a specialty chemical company resolutely committed to sustainable development. As a leader in its businesses, the Group aims to improve its customers’ performance through the pursuit of operational excellence and its ability to innovate. Structured around 11 Global Business Units, Rhodia is the partner of major players in the automotive, electronics, flavors and fragrances, health, personal and home care markets, consumer goods and industrial markets. Rhodia employs around 14,000 people worldwide and generated sales of €5.23 billion in 2010.
For more information, please visit our website: www.rhodia.com.
About Endura
Endura SpA is a privately owned Italian Company specialized in the production of synergists and of a wide range of active ingredients for the production of household insecticides. Endura is by far the largest worldwide manufacturer of the synergist Piperonyl Butoxide (PBO) and sells its products in over 60 countries worldwide though an extensive Sales Network. The Company’s main manufacturing site is located in Ravenna (Italy). Endura operates according to the Responsible Care principles and is UNI ISO 9001 2008, UNI EN ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007 certified.
The synthetic process used for the production of PBO has led to more extensive applications in a number of fields, among which vector control and agriculture as a resistance breaker and the product is also available in GMP to allow for its use in veterinary and human applications. Endura continues to invest a large part of its turnover in R&D and patent protection and conducts research both in its own laboratories and through several prestigious University and Research Centres both in Italy and abroad. As a result, it has developed know-how of some of the more complex chemical technologies, allowing the Company to enter in the field of fine chemicals and specialties such as fragrances and key pharmaceutical intermediates. Endura has received numerous Business Awards for Innovation and for its commitment to sustainable development. The Company is listed in Who’s Who Sutter’s International Red Series.
Please visit Endura’s website for further information: www.endura.it
Editorial enquiries
Maud Joassard
Rhodia Aroma Performance
Josina van der Velden
EMG