Rhodia technologies for sustainable mobility plans to contribute to lower automotive emissions, lighter vehicle weight and improved fuel economy — priority challenges for the newest generation of vehicles from Detroit and around the world. Rhodia recently demonstrated its innovations that allow lighter-weight engine components, cleaner engine performance and improved fuel economy. Rhodia’s new engineering plastics reduce vehicle weight by substituting for metal components under the hood, even under high temperatures. The company’s expertise and newly-expanded offering in rare earth catalyst technology can measurably reduce automotive emissions, while its newest grades of silica dramatically improve tires’ rolling resistance, thus improving fuel economy, states the company. The global specialty chemicals company demonstrated its latest automotive innovations at the World Congress of the Society of Automotive Engineers in Detroit. A significant portion of Rhodia’s global sales are derived from engineering plastics, rare earths and silica production. Across all three technologies, Rhodia’s research and development programs have produced a steady stream of innovations that directly address increasingly stringent standards for automotive emissions, economy and performance. “Automotive applications are a clear priority focus for some of Rhodia’s strongest technology expertise,” according to Jean-Claude Steinmetz, vice president for Rhodia’s automotive group. “We are world leaders in polyamide 6,6 for engineering plastics. Likewise, we are leaders in rare earth catalysts for emissions controls and we invented some of the most important silica grades for improved tire performance." | 
