30 Mar 2009

Rhodia and Inoplast break new ground by creating the first polyamide reinforcement beam for truck radiator grilles

Lyon, France – 30 March 2009 – Rhodia and Inoplast break new ground by creating the first polyamide reinforcement beam for truck radiator grilles. This project, which has gone into production on a well-known range of trucks, is aimed at reducing costs and overall vehicle weight, without interfering with the function of this key structural element required to maintain the grille’s rigidity. Rhodia’s new-generation polyamide, Technyl Star™ AFX, proved to be the only material able to meet project specifications, thanks to its unequalled mechanical strength, combined with its exceptional fluidity.

The use of Technyl Star™ AFX resulted in a cost saving of 30% compared with an equivalent metal beam, as well as a reduction of over 10% in the part’s weight, contributing to a lighter vehicle and consequently to a reduction in CO₂ emissions.

Technyl Star™ AFX once again demonstrated that it outperforms standard polyamide, due to its exceptional rigidity, coupled with its remarkable surface appearance regardless of its high glass fiber content (up to 60%). The fluidity of this material also contributes to the incredible ease of injection processing, while achieving a previously impossible degree of rigidity for polyamide.

The close cooperation between Rhodia Polyamide, Inoplast and the truck manufacturer also contributed to the success of this project. In addition to its product Technyl Star™ AFX, Rhodia contributed its new MMI* technology, a new-generation simulation tool, which can more accurately predict the behavior of polyamide parts by taking glass fiber orientation into consideration in structural calculations. This enabled Inoplast to more precisely define the ideal part design needed to meet rigidity and vibratory control requirements for the beam, while optimizing its weight.

“With this success, Rhodia has once again demonstrated its capacity for innovation in its efforts to help manufacturers produce lighter, more cost-effective vehicles,” affirmed Cyril Primat, Rhodia Polyamide’s structural parts manager. “Technyl Star™ AFX is an innovative material offering some truly promising new perspectives in this field, particularly as regards the replacement of metal in structural parts.”

* MMI: Multi-scale modelling, Mechanical calculation, Injection moulding simulation

Reader enquiries

Rhodia Engineering Plastics
Avenue Ramboz
F-69192 Saint-Fons Cedex
France

+33 4 72 89 29 24

jerome.pisani@eu.rhodia.com

www.rhodia.com

Notes for editors

Rhodia Polyamide is Rhodia's fully integrated enterprise focusing on Polyamide 6.6. Its strategy rests on three pillars: a high worldwide competitiveness of intermediates & polymers along with strong development of the industrial footprint in fast growing regions; the strengthening of engineering plastics as a growth engine; and a focus on Asia and Brazil as priority regions for expansion beyond our European base. In South America, Rhodia Polyamide also holds strong positions in phenol and adiponitrile route, industrial yarns and fibers.

For further details about Rhodia Polyamide visit the website at www.rhodia.com.

Rhodia is an international 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 six Enterprises, Rhodia is the partner of major players in the automotive, tire, electronics, perfume, health & beauty and home care markets. The Group employs around 14,500 people worldwide and generated sales of €4.8 billion in 2008. Rhodia is listed on Euronext Paris.

For further details about the Group, visit Rhodia’s website at: www.rhodia.com.

iNoPLAST designs and manufactures parts and complete functions made of composite and thermoplastic materials and primarily destined for the automobile and truck industry. Since its inception in 1976, our company has become a first-tier automotive equipment manufacturer. We have gained world-recognized expertise in the areas of transformation of composite materials as well as for their painting applications. Iincorporated into the Plastic Omnium group, iNoPLAST is now a full member of the automotive pole of Plastic Omnium. iNoPLAST generated sales of €256 M in 2007 and employs around 2,900 people worldwide iNoPLAST want to mobilize its competencies to combat global warming through technical innovations for our products that enable reducing the weights of vehicles and the energy consumption.