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Paulínia (SP), Brazil, September 22, 2022 - About to celebrate 80 years since its establishment in Paulínia (SP) next December, Rhodia, a company of the Solvay Group, continues to invest in its chemical complex there in projects that combine industrial development and sustainability.
Investments in the chemical complex of Paulínia, which in 2022 are expected to total approximately R$ 135 million, are directed towards projects involving new technologies, processes, and products to increase the company's competitiveness, aligned with the sustainability advancement goals, according to the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) targets established by the Solvay Group.
"We have many growth ambitions and we will continue to apply the recipe we used to make Rhodia, in Paulínia, reach 80 years as one of the largest industrial complexes of the Solvay Group worldwide, as a reference in ESG, and as a star that shines increasingly bright for green chemistry. Our recipe includes constant investments, a lot of innovation both in products and processes, internationally assessed sustainability practices, a deep relationship with our customers and other partners, and with the communities," says Daniela Manique, President of the Solvay Group in Latin America.
Investments – Among the projects developed by Rhodia in Paulínia in 2022, the expansion of HGL - Hexylene Glycol production stands out. HGL is widely used as a wetting and emulsifying agent in formulations for skincare and cosmetics, indicated for micellar water, body oil, moisturizers, makeup, and for hair care in shampoo, dyes, conditioners, and hair tonics formulations. With this expansion, which involves an investment of R$ 27 million, the company consolidates its global leadership in the supply of this solvent, which is even being used in vegan products, following the registration with the Vegan Society - the oldest and most respected vegan institution in the world. Rhodia is the only HGL producer in the world to have this registration, which is an important differentiation in the market, showing customers the commitment to offering solutions aligned with this new lifestyle.
Over the past three years, even in a scenario of pandemic that affected many industrial activities, Rhodia has made several investments in increasing capacity to meet its customers' needs. In 2019, before the pandemic, the industrial plant for butyl acetate was expanded, and in the following two years, bottlenecks in various installations were removed.
At the same time, the company is developing new molecules that replace imported products and meet the reality of the regional market, that is, competitive and high-performance solutions, always focusing on customers as the central focus of each of these developments.
Sustainable Innovations - Rhodia's growth strategy also includes the development of bio-renewable, biodegradable, and carbon-neutral products, leveraging the potential for innovation research and the company's industrial complex in Paulínia, Brazil, in line with the sustainability enhancement goals of the Solvay Group, following the global Solvay One Planet program.
"We have a series of products in the renewable line that we should launch from next year to serve customers in the different markets we operate in," says Antonio Leite, Global Vice President of Phenol and Derivatives, Solvents, and Polyamide Intermediates at the Solvay Group.
Among the innovations presented in 2022 and developed from the Research and Innovation Center in Paulínia, highlights include products for the paints and coatings sector and for the textile industry.
In the area of paint solvents, the company launched Solsys® Coat MA, a new molecule with high solubilization performance and high leveling capacity, which provides excellent film formation with increased productivity at a lower cost. It is a differentiated alternative for industrial paint formulations in general, particularly for the Automotive Repainting, OEM, and Wood segments.
For the textile sector, Rhodia's main innovation is the new Amni Soul Eco®, its first textile fiber with accelerated decomposition in marine environments. The new textile polyamide, which will be produced at the company's industrial unit in Brazil, will reduce impacts on oceans by approximately 40 times compared to traditional fibers. The development of the new product follows the global trend of increasing demand and market movement for more sustainable textile products.
Over the past years, Rhodia has developed a series of genuinely Brazilian innovations, leveraging the potential and expertise of researchers and scientists working in the company's laboratories in the country. These innovations are already incorporated into a wide range of products applied by industries in different markets, such as automotive, home and personal care, healthcare, textiles, paints, and varnishes, among others.
Industry 4.0 – Rhodia is also developing several projects focused on the digitization of its operations at its industrial complex in Paulínia, where about 1.2 million tons of various chemicals are produced, with the adoption of processes and technologies related to the so-called Industry 4.0, including the use of artificial intelligence, robots, and drones, which increase the reliability of its activities.
"These projects and initiatives have helped modernize the facilities and have made our industrial units state-of-the-art in the chemical sector, contributing to the company's increased competitiveness," says Guilherme Faria Silva, Director of Industrial Operations at the Solvay Group.
Sustainability and Future Vision - With several projects in development, Rhodia in Paulínia continues to march towards the future inspired by the ambitious purpose of being a reference in sustainability and biodiversity. Regarding emissions, in addition to the gains from its greenhouse gas abatement unit, there is a study to transition the energy matrix of the boilers, replacing natural gas with renewable sources such as biomass. This is the main project to transform the site, which already reduces 95% of its emissions, into carbon-neutral.
Regarding water capture, reducing continues to be the watchword at the Paulínia industrial complex. From 2010 to 2021, the site reduced the volume captured by 26%. Now, it invests in a project to implement new closed-loop equipment. With completion scheduled for 2023, it will contribute to a reduction of approximately 10% more. It is important to note that, of the total volume of water captured, 92% is returned to the river after treatment. The other 8% evaporate and/or are consumed in the production process.
After achieving the Gold WHC certification obtained in 2021, new steps have been taken to further advance biodiversity preservation. One of them was the hiring, in 2022, of a specialized company to conduct a new and more detailed inventory of the species that inhabit the Rhodia complex in Paulínia, generating valuable information to guide other initiatives aimed at their preservation.
Another equally relevant front aligned with global trends is circularity. An example is the polyamide chain, which starts at the Paulínia site, where nylon salt is produced, and continues at the Santo André unit, where this raw material is used in the production of polyamide polymers and fibers. In Santo André, industrial process residues undergo chemical recycling and repolymerization, generating recycled polymers that give life to new products.
In Paulínia, an important project is Zero Landfill, which, in addition to environmental benefits, aligns with circular economy principles. The site has continuously minimized waste generation. The generated waste passes through the Effluent Treatment Station, which has an efficiency level of 98%. This process results in non-toxic sludge, which currently goes to a landfill. The goal is to eliminate this disposal. To this end, Rhodia has launched an open innovation call, seeking solutions for using this sludge in applications such as brick manufacturing or agriculture, for example.
In terms of circularity, another focus opportunity is the use of raw materials from the recycling of plastic waste that could replace some of those directly derived from petroleum, helping to save non-renewable resources.
Communities - Just as it has ensured a healthy coexistence between the chemical industry and nature, the company also nurtures its relationship with the neighboring community, contributing to its development.
Rhodia maintains differentiated programs in Paulínia, such as mentoring for academic work of young students and updating of teachers from technical schools in the region. Both are led by Rhodia professionals who share their knowledge and experiences, contributing to the quality of education. In addition, guided tours, cultural projects sponsored by the company, donations, and activities of the Paulínia Volunteer Group are other actions through which we engage in community life.
As part of the celebrations of Rhodia's 80 years in Paulínia, a new social project is being launched: the Rhodia Dream Workshop Laboratory, which offers free courses in carpentry and design for 80 young people aged 16 to 24 from Paulínia and the surrounding region. In this project, which will run until March 2023, preference is given to young people of both genders from families enrolled in CadÚnico or income transfer programs. The project's mission is to impart technical knowledge with the aim of generating employment and income for young people and adults, revealing new talents, and acting as an incubator for innovative design projects for the wood industry.
"For 80 years, Rhodia started in Paulínia as a farm for sugarcane planting and alcohol production for our factory in Santo André. Today it is fertile ground where sustainable chemistry and a harmonious coexistence of industry with nature are cultivated," concludes Daniela Manique, President of the Solvay Group in Latin America.
