Solvents

Rhodia manufactures two main types of solvents, based on its polyamide technology: oxygenated solvents (acetone, acetic acid and its derivatives) and dibasic ester-based solvents, produced by diacid esterification with a number of alcohols.

Oxygenated solvents are used in the automotive industry (paints, metal cleaning), and industrial products (flexible packaging, coatings, adhesives, agrochemistry, textile, leather) or consumer goods. They have a high solvent power, low toxicity and a low impact on the ozone layer. They are biodegradable and are the primary alternative to chlorinated solvents.

Dibasic ester-based solvents are notably used in the treatment of metals and surface coatings , in paint formulations as well as in industrial cleaning. They are readily biodegradable, low VOC, non-toxic and eco-friendly; they address the strong growth in the demand for products meeting stricter environmental and use standards.

Rhodia has recently introduced Rhodiasolv® Iris, the first product emanating from a specific research program involving ecological solvents, notably for graffiti removal, paint stripping and resins foundries.