Rhodia commissioned its new 72 KTPY high performance silicas unit in Qingdao, China on October 20, the company announced in a press release. The event also marked Rhodia’s 30th anniversary in China. The Asia-Pacific zone currently accounts for 28% of the Group’s sales and 21% of its workforce.
“China benefits from one of the highest potentials for economic growth. With 30 years’ experience in this market, an efficient industrial network and a dedicated research & development hub, Rhodia has all the key assets it needs to take full advantage of this source of new growth”, said Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, Chairman and CEO of the Rhodia Group.
The Group’s activities in China are concentrated in three sectors: automotive, with silicas for tires, engineering plastics and catalysis technology; cosmetics and detergents, with specialty surfactants, a market segment where the Group’s front-ranking positions will be further strengthened by the acquisition of Feixang Chemicals; electronics, with rare earth-based formulations. The Group is also developing its expertise in China in the field of renewable sources of energy.
Rhodia operates 13 production sites in China with a total of 2,000 employees, as well as a worldwide R&D center in Shanghai employing 100 research scientists.