26 Oct 2007
Rhodia Automotive: a global offer to reduce the C02 emissions of passenger cars by more than 20 grams per kilometre
Düsseldorf, Germany – October 24, 2007 – Rhodia announces that its overall technologies dedicated to Automotive and Transportation contribute to reducing the C02 emissions of a passenger car by over 20g per kilometre.
Chemist and partner of major car-makers, Rhodia has developed a global automotive offer to address three main environmental issues: clean air, energy savings and C02 emissions reduction.
Rhodia is deeply committed to sustainable development, consequently, combating global warming is a priority concern of this specialty chemicals group. In the battle to lower C02, in addition to all the possible advancements that can be brought to car engines themselves, the main improvement axes lie in reducing rolling resistance, enhancing aerodynamics and lowering car weight.
“By 2012, the emissions target imposed on car-makers will have toughened down to 120g of C02 per kilometre, which represents on average an extra 40g reduction to be achieved per vehicle,” explains Jean-Claude Steinmetz, Rhodia Group Vice-President in charge of Automotive and Transportation. “A chemist such as Rhodia has the expertise to offer key technologies to help car-makers reach this objective, which is beyond the mere technical constraints imposed on powertrain.”
Rhodia has developed a high-performance silica, which is the key ingredient of energy efficient tires aimed at reducing rolling resistance by up to 25% and C02 emissions by 5%, giving an average gain of 10g/km.
Polyamide technical plastics are used for body parts, structural parts and under-the-hood applications, in which they are able to replace traditional metal parts. The potential weight reduction is significant as an average 100kg of plastics is equivalent to 300kg of metal. Due to the technological progress embodied in these materials, they offer car-makers the possibility to reduce car weight by another 10%, which translates into a further 10g reduction in C02 emissions per kilometre. Moreover, the high flexibility brought to automotive design by plastics in exterior parts can also enable the optimisation of aerodynamics, which contribute to more than 30% of total vehicle C02 emissions.
Rhodia catalytic materials are developed not only to help eliminate the main pollutants, but also to minimise the impact on C02 emissions. As an example, Rhodia’s Eolys™ technology for Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) regeneration require the lightest over-consumption of any DPF system on the market. This makes it the best solution available today in terms of C02.
To better address current and future challenges of sustainable mobility, Rhodia is presently strengthening its automotive team. Based in Lyon, this transintegrated organisation provides the necessary interlinking support to the high performance silica, engineering plastics and catalytic materials businesses, in which the Group holds leadership positions.
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Notes for editors
Rhodia is a global specialty chemicals company recognized for its strong technology positions in Performance Materials, Functional Chemicals and the Organics and Services clusters. Partnering with major players in the automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, consumer care, tires, and paints and coatings markets, Rhodia offers tailor-made solutions combining original molecules and technologies to respond to customers’ needs. Rhodia subscribes to the principles of Sustainable Development communicating its commitments and performance openly with stakeholders. Rhodia generated sales of €4.8 billion in 2006 and employs around 16,000 people worldwide. Rhodia is listed on Euronext Paris.