The French speciality chemicals producer, Rhodia, has opened a silica laboratory adjacent to its Paulinea production plant in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

According to Walter Cirillo, Rhodia's President for Latin America, the facility represents an investment of some R$1 million ($285,000).  It also forms a central part of the company's strategy to offer innovation to its customers on a regional level, including those operating in the shoe industry.  In the last few years, Rhodia has launched a range of high-dispersibility silicas in Brazil for the production of rubber compounds, including those for shoe soling materials.

Mr. Cirillo explained that at current levels, Rhodia was investing 2% to 2.5% of its turnover on Research and Development.  "This investment policy has shown good results,” he said, pointing to the fact that in 2001, approximately 12% of the company's turnover came from new products (i.e. those less than 5 years old).   "This type of investment is key to the growth of the company", he said.

Headed by Paulo Garbelotto, the laboratory is capable of replicating the various stages involved in the manufacture of shoe soles.  It is also geared to identifying new applications for silica and solving specific customer problems. “The fact that we can do the tests and show our customers how the work is done means we are now ideally positioned to develop new products and increase levels of customer productivity.” Garbelotto says.

Summarising the significance of the laboratory, manager of Rhodia Silica Systems, Jose Luiz Redondo, said:  "Now we can offer more than just products to our customers. We can offer complete  solutions to their problems".

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