Rhodia has announced investments at Halifax (UK) and University Park (US) industrial sites as part of the group’s profitable growth strategy in specialty surfactants.
The investments at the two sites, formerly part of the McIntyre Group acquired by Rhodia in 2009, are to optimise and increase production capacity. In the UK, Rhodia plans to consolidate surfactants production lines currently at Leeds and Halifax on a single platform to reinforce its long-term competitive position in Europe. It is hoped the phased transfer of assets from Leeds to Halifax and accompanying investments will generate new business opportunities for the business as a whole. Rhodia Novecare president, Emmanuel Butstraen commented: “Eighteen months after the acquisition of McIntyre, we have successfully integrated the business and are delivering the expected synergies. To leverage these achievements and take advantage of the potential offered by the surfactants market, we are boosting the competitiveness of our sites as well as investing in the long term.”
