Rhodia strengthens in China with new diphenol plant

16 November 2007 10:14  [Source: ICIS news]

By Yuki Wang and Andy Brice

 

SHANGHAI (ICIS news)--Rhodia strengthened its presence in China on Friday when it inaugurated Asia’s biggest diphenol unit in Zhenjiang, built for an investment of  €30m ($44m) and completed in just one year.

 

The 12,000 tonne/year plant is the first to produce hydroquinone (HQ) flake, an alternative to powder which reduces exposure to dust but has the same purity and whiteness.

 

During the event, CEO Jean-Pierre Clamadieu also announced plans to build a plant in Qingdao, Shandong province, to produce highly dispersible precipitated silica.

“For Rhodia, diphenols represent a key high-growth area in which we hold a strong market share,” said Clamadieu.

 

“This position has been built on our technology leadership and an international manufacturing presence that now extends to China,” he said. 
 

The first batch of on-spec products were delivered to customers in September, said Clamadieu.

 

Looking ahead, the company said it hoped to strengthen its leadership position in the diphenols market and achieve 10% year-on-year growth in the near term.

 

Rhodia said it would mainly target the local market but had not excluded exports depending on global supply and demand.

 

The French company, the world's largest diphenols producer with almost 50% market share, also has plants in Saint Fons, France, and Baton Rouge in the US.

Diphenols and their derivatives are used as polymerisation inhibitors, anti-oxidants, biocides, intermediates for pigments and dyes, and in catalysis. Applications include crop protection and fragrances.

 

($1 = €0.68)

By: Yuki Wang
+65 6780 4359

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