Rhodia has announced investment in its cyclopentanone production in France. 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 major investment at the Melle facility is aimed at improving and optimising 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 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: flavourings 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 stabilisers and polymerisation control agents for the petrochemical industry and for polymers intended for such end markets as the construction, automotive and consumer care markets.
