Rhodia wins the Potier prize for its innovation in favor of the environment
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Paul-Joël Derian, Rhodia Vice President, Research & Development, today received from François Loos, Minister Delegate for Industry in the French Government, the Pierre Potier Prize in the "Process" category in recognition of the CAPUCINE initiative developed by Rhodia for the synthesis of caprolactam, an intermediate used in the production of polyamide 6. The Potier Prize, created by the Minister Delegate for Industry, the French Federation of Chemical Companies (FCC) and the UIC French chemical industry association, was organized in 2006 on the theme of "Innovation in chemistry in favor of the environment" in order to promote industrial success stories achieved recently (2004-2005) or in the final stages of completion. This prize, awarded by a panel chaired by Yves Chauvin, winner of the 2005 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, in the presence of Armand Lattes, Chairman of the FCC and of the French Chemical Society (SFC), was given to Rhodia's teams as official recognition of their outstanding scientific and technical achievement in developing a new access route to caprolactam via heterogeneous catalysis. This simple, original and flexible process leads to this intermediate without the formation of by-products and at a highly competitive production price compared with other available technologies. This patented innovation, which will allow Rhodia to develop a cost-effective process in line with the Group's commitments to sustainable development, will make it possible to eliminate the disadvantages of the traditional production process, namely: the generation of saline by-products and the use of solvents. This innovation will generate no nitrogen oxides (a greenhouse gas) and allow energy savings of 50%. "The success of this project demonstrates the Group's ability to include environmental considerations in its innovation programs in order to find solutions to true technological challenges," said Paul-Joël Derian, Rhodia Vice President, Research & Development.
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Topic world Synthesis
Chemical synthesis is at the heart of modern chemistry and enables the targeted production of molecules with specific properties. By combining starting materials in defined reaction conditions, chemists can create a wide range of compounds, from simple molecules to complex active ingredients.
Topic world Synthesis
Chemical synthesis is at the heart of modern chemistry and enables the targeted production of molecules with specific properties. By combining starting materials in defined reaction conditions, chemists can create a wide range of compounds, from simple molecules to complex active ingredients.