RHODIA INVESTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF CYCLOPENTANONE AT ITS MELLE FACILITY IN FRANCE

Lyon, France, March 2, 2011 ---- Rhodia invests in its cyclopentanone* production unit and confirms its leadership position in the fragrance markets.

This major investment at the Melle facility is aimed at improving and optimizing the reliability of the plant’s production equipment and at boosting customer service, thus reinforcing the group’s capacity to win market share and new customers in this growing business segment.

This decision has important ramifications for the preservation of jobs in the region and strengthens the long-term viability of Rhodia’s Aroma Performance global business unit, a major global player in the production of this key intermediate.

“This investment project in our production shops will make our processes more robust and secure, and ensure that we can provide a higher level of service to our customers worldwide,” affirmed Vincent Lajotte, director of the business segment.

*Cyclopentanone is a key intermediate in the production of methyl di-hydrojasmonate (MDJ) and the source of a jasmine floral note with a fresh lemon scent widely used in fine fragrances.

The Aroma Performance global business unit includes the Rhodia group’s diphenol and fluorine intermediates operations comprising three main product segments: flavorings and fragrances for the food and perfumery markets (with its flagship vanillin and ethyl-vanillin product line sold under the Rhovanil® and Rhodiarome® brand names); intermediates and molecules for the crop protection, pharmaceutical and electronics markets; as well as monomer stabilizers and polymerization control agents for the petrochemical industry and for polymers intended for such end markets as the construction, automotive and consumer care markets.

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. 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. The Group employs around 13,600 people worldwide and generated sales of €4.03 billion in 2009. Rhodia is listed on Euronext Paris.

For more information, please visit our www.rhodia.com.

EMG
Paulien Boumans
Lelyweg 6
4612 PS
Bergen op Zoom
The Netherlands
0031164317015

This release was published on openPR.