Rhodia’s Automotive Offer: more innovation, less CO₂

IAA, Frankfurt – September 15, 2009 – Rhodia, a chemical company working in partnership with automotive manufacturers, showcases a range of innovative solutions for reduced greenhouse gas emissions at the Frankfurt Motor Show. These new technologies expand Rhodia’s current portfolio of solutions for reducing CO₂ vehicle emissions by more than 20 grams per kilometer.

Catalysis materials – more emissions control for less CO₂

Rhodia’s catalysis materials have been developed to minimize the environmental impact of CO₂ emissions, beyond the elimination of primary pollutants. The new Eolys PowerFlex™ technology has been designed to fully eliminate soot particles from engines running on bio-fuels, whatever the type of fuel mix. This technology enables fast regeneration of particulate filters at low temperature, resulting in a 3 to 5% higher CO₂ reduction compared with other technologies.

In addition, Rhodia’s Acilys™ product line, a joint development with MEL, is used to formulate efficient catalysts for NOx reduction systems with urea injection technology, that enables diesel engines to run at very low rpms, thereby emitting little CO₂. For gasoline engines, Rhodia’s Actalys™- OPtalys™ mixed oxides and its Stabilys™ range of aluminas enable the development of high durability catalyst formulations with a low content of precious metals, which are ideally suited for downsized engines that have a low CO₂ impact.

Engineering plastics – less weight for less CO₂ emissions

The fuel consumption of a vehicle is directly related to the vehicle’s weight, thereby making it the primary factor of CO₂ emissions. A vehicle’s weight can be reduced by using engineering polyamide plastics to replace metals in body, structural and under-the-bonnet applications. The new generation of Rhodia’s Technyl Star™ AFX polyamides exhibit unique mechanical performance combined with outstanding high-flow properties, thereby reducing weight by more than 10% in applications submitted to the most stringent performance requirements. Technyl Star™ AFX polyamides open up new opportunities in the production of lightweight cars with reduced CO₂ emission levels.

Silica Technology – less rolling resistance for less CO₂ emissions

High performance silica, invented by Rhodia, is the key-component in energy-efficient tires, reducing rolling resistance by 25% and CO₂ emissions by 5% (equivalent to a reduction of approx. 5 g/km). Partnering with manufacturers in the tire-making industry, Rhodia’s expertise has already helped to save 20 billion liters of fuel and reduce CO₂ emissions – the primary cause of climate change – by 50 million tons. With Zeosil™ Premium, its new generation of high-surface silica, Rhodia is taking mobility to new levels of sustainability: each ton of CO₂ emitted to produce Zeosil™ Premium prevents the emission of 40 tons of CO₂ into the atmosphere.

Green house gas reduction – a strong corporate commitment for Rhodia

The Rhodia Group began its process of reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as early as the 1990’s, with a continuous focus on the reduction of energy consumption. The Group’s resources and operations in R&D and innovation are geared to reducing the environmental impact of its products and production processes. In July 2009, Rhodia announced its first investment in bio gas technology, thereby strengthening its expertise and industrial know how in the renewable energy sector. In 2008, the Rhodia Group achieved a reduction in emissions of 37 million tons of GHG, through emission cutting programs implemented in the late 1990’s in France and in 2007 in Brazil and in Korea.

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