Rhodia new Shanghai-based R&D center to lead innovation in Asia Pacific

24-Nov-08

French chemical group, Rhodia has recently opened its new International Research & Development Center located in Shanghai which will lead the Group's innovation in the Asia-Pacific zone. The Chinese center is an addition to Rhodia's already established R&D centers in Aubervilliers (France), Lyon (France), Bristol (United States), Paulinia (Brazil). The Shanghai-based center will be dedicated to the Asian market, and focus on high technology innovations in line with principles of sustainable development. China is an integral market for the group which accounted for 27% of total sales in 2007 and houses 13 out of the total 22 industrial sites. The center aims to provide cost-effective solutions in the following areas: - Support for Rhodia's industrial activities, based on its expertise in chemical engineering and its work on process improvement, - The specific development of engineering plastics for the electricals, electronics and automotive markets, - The design of high performance formulations to serve the detergence, cosmetics and industrial applications markets, - The design of rare earth-based products for the low energy consumption lamps and for the high precision polishing of electronic components such as LCD screens, glass hard disks.