26 Nov 2007
Rhodia To Construct New High Performance Silica Plant In China
Shanghai, China, November 23, 2007 ----- Rhodia today announced its intention to construct a new plant for the production of high performance silica in China.
The new facility will be located in the city of Qingdao where Rhodia already operates a silica plant. This world scale plant will focus on producing high performance silica notably used in low rolling resistance tires. These generate more than 5% fuel savings thus reducing emissions of CO2 from vehicles.
Using a modular design to build the plant will enable it to be easily expanded to support this rapidly growing market. A number of Rhodia’s existing major customers are supporting the project. Rhodia already operates seven precipitated silica plants around the world in France, Italy, Venezuela, Brazil, Korea, China and the USA.
“This investment will allow Rhodia to respond to rapidly growing demand in the Asian region,” said Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, CEO of Rhodia, adding “this move fits perfectly within our strategy to develop businesses in which we have a strong and sustainable leadership position and prioritize investment in China.”
President of Rhodia’s Silcea enterprise, Eric Noyrez, commented that “With this new facility, Silcea will reinforce its worldwide leadership in the production of high performance silica while demonstrating its commitment to respond to increasing customer demand for products which are more environmentally sustainable.”
Reader enquiries
Rhodia Silcea
55 avenue rené Cassin
69009 LYON
France
Notes for editors
Silcea is Rhodia's fine inorganic chemistry enterprise and the global leader in rare earth-based materials and high performance silica. Rhodia Silcea supplies major players focused on sustainable mobility with a complete range of materials for exhaust emissions control. On the electronics market, Silcea is the specialist for phosphors used in low-energy lamps, LCD and plasma flat screens. Inventor of high dispersibility silica, which in particular reduces fuel consumption, Rhodia Silcea is a key partner for the tire industry, as well as the elastomer, feed and food industries.
Rhodia is an international chemical company resolutely committed to sustainable development. 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 seven Enterprises, Rhodia is the partner of major players in the automotive, tire, electronics, perfume, health and beauty and home care markets. The Group employs around 16,000 people worldwide and generated sales of €4.8 billion in 2006. Rhodia is listed on Euronext Paris.
Present in China for more than 30 years, Rhodia's operations in the country have grown very rapidly over the last ten years and today employ 2,300 people. Rhodia’s activities in China generate around 400 million euros.
Editorial enquiries
Jérôme Pisani
Rhodia Engineering Plastics
袁吉英 - Jane Yuan
EMG China