Innovation in speciality chemicals Rhodia

INNOVATION IN

SPECIALITY CHEMICALS

Rhodia, a member of the Solvay Group, is a global leader in the development and production of speciality chemicals. Rhodia provides added-value products and high-performance solutions to diversified markets, including automotive, electronics, consumer goods and industrial. One of its global business units is located in Gorzów in Poland, where the factory focuses on the production of polyamide materials. Piotr Sadowski reports.

Rhodia, founded in 1998, today leads the world in the production of mild amphoteric surfactants, phosphorous chemistry and guars and derivatives, as well as in high-performance silicas, rare earthbased formulations and diphenols. It is number two in polyamides and the number three producer of cellulose acetate. Established in 25 countries worldwide, with manufacturing facilities and R&D centres in all four major regions of the world – Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific – Rhodia is dedicated to bringing the very best in innovation and service to its customers, as well as providing a vibrant and fulfilling working environment for its staff.

In 2011, Rhodia became the third sector of the Solvay Group following a successful friendly bid for the company. Solvay is a major global industrial company with annual sales reaching €12 billion. “The common strategy is now being worked on and implemented across the Group,” says Jacek Bobrowicz, who heads the Rhodia polyamide division in Poland, which focuses solely on the manufacturing of products derived from polyamide 6. “In 2008 the production of polyamide-6-based compounds was moved entirely from Italy to Poland; back then the annual output was around 30,000 tonnes, while 2011 was closed with a total production of 50,000 tonnes, with our operations focusing predominantly on exports reaching western europe as well as supplies to other factories within the Group. Our flagship brands include the TECHNYL STAR polyam-

VELOX

VELOX GmbH is a European leader in the marketing and supply of raw material specialities for the plastics, rubber, paints and coatings industries. Established in 1993 by Bernard Goursaud and N. Max Schlenzig, VELOX’ Head Office is in Hamburg, Germany. The company offers an extensive product range and specific market know-how right across the European continent. As a strongly customer-orientated company, VELOX understands the value of building personal relationships to provide its customers and business partners with rapid, tailored advice and technical support in all aspects of their projects.

VELOX currently has 16 offices and over 130 experienced staff in motion supporting customers in most European Union countries including Turkey.

For further information please contact the VELOX webpage: www.velox.com

Owens Corning

“Long-term partnerships with customers like the one we have with Rhodia provide us with great insight about current and future needs as well as trends in the markets they serve,” said Simon Bos, Owens Corning global account manager for thermoplastics. “As a result, our products meet the mechanical performance Rhodia requires and they work well in the company’s manufacturing processes.” One of the many benefits of forging a long-time relationship is working side-by-side with a customer to develop innovative solutions. Currently, we are exploring potential applications using our broad portfolio of glass fiber products. Owens Corning also understands that supply security is critical for manufacturers. The company is a leading global producer of glass fiber reinforcements and engineered materials for composite systems and residential and commercial building materials. This includes composites plants in 15 countries, enabling the company to produce its product globally and supply locally.

ide 6.6 family of products, used in the automotive, electrical and electronics, industry and processing, and other sectors. We are also constantly working on introducing new, highly innovative products into our offer.”

TECHNYL eXten and other novelties

As Mr Bobrowicz explains, the drive to obtain green, eco-friendly solutions is one of the most visible tendencies, in all areas of industrial manufacturing, including the production of polymers. One of the novelties in Rhodia Polyamide Poland’s product offer is the TECHNYL eXten, which is a polyamide 6.10 version obtained from castor oil. “It is an important and affordable alternative to the expensive polyamide 12,” explains Mr Bobrowicz. “It is also difficult to buy – while the demand is high, the supply in 2012 has been low, with the shortages caused by production stoppages at one of the main polyamide 12 manufacturers. TECHNYL eXten is characterised by very good chemical resistance, including against fuel permeation. It is also easily used in further processing.”

Key sub-products within the TECHNYL eXten family include D 458P and D 437P, specially developed for semi-finished and rapid prototyping automotive and other applications, such as extruded pipes and tubing applications, where a long-term hightemperature usage is required. In addition, D 218 V30 and D 238 V30 formulations are reinforced with 30 per cent glass fibre and are impact modified, which makes them suitable for injection moulding. These products are used in various applications in fastening devices in industry and processing and offer excellent chemical resistance, low water absorption, very good mechanical properties and mouldability. “Thanks to the hard work

of our R&D team, this range of products has very quickly become a major hit with clients across Europe as well as other crucial markets, including Brazil,” adds Mr Bobrowicz.

The company has also prepared a diverse offering of polyamide 6 and 6.6 for the electrical and electronics markets, which are halogen free but contain red phosphorous, and are therefore perfect for appliance and industrial controls, such as control switchgears, rotary switches and timers. “Our investments in innovations in polyamide 6.10 and products containing red phosphorous were worth €2 million,” says the CEO of Rhodia Polyamide Poland. “In addition, our R&D unit is constantly working on new developments, one of which includes products based on polyamide powders which can be used for the 3D creation of elements: polyamide powder is glued together and made ready for printing, which is an excellent solution for the creation of prototypes.”

Ongoing growth and expansion in new markets

The automotive sector accounts for around 50 per cent of Rhodia Polyamide Poland’s sales, closely followed at around 30 per cent by the electrical and electronics market, for which the products containing red phosphorous have been especially developed. In addition, the company’s clients also include those in the consumer industrial goods sector, distribution and others. “We are known to be a very flexible producer, capable of answering the needs of customers and responding to trends such as the ongoing lowering of the overall weight of vehicles and improved recycling, hence the use of composite materials, just to mention the automotive industry,” explains Mr Bobrowicz. “We are also working on a possible strategic move, to locate our automotive production in Russia, as this is a market where the automotive industry is expected to boom and where there is no significant producer of polyamide 6. However, this is a very long-term issue and in the meantime we need to engage in the consolidation of our production capabilities in the plant in Gorzów. It is also important to note that in addition to Russia, we expect a lot of potential to grow our sales across all BRIC countries, as the example of Brazil with our polyamide 6.10 products is proving already.” n