Paris (France), June 24, 2009 --- Rhodia today received the 2009 Pierre Potier Prize for “innovation in chemistry supporting sustainable development”* for its Rhodiasolv® IRIS range of a new-generation solvents that provide a more eco-friendly and safer alternative to traditional solvents.

This prize was presented today to Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, Chairman and CEO of Rhodia, by Christian Estrosi, Minister in charge of Industry for the French Government.

Rhodiasolv® IRIS – which is biodegradable, non-toxic, non-flammable and low volatile – is one of the latest innovations to emerge from Rhodia’s R&D laboratories designed to respect the natural environment and the health and safety of its users. Combining high performance with eco-friendly properties, this solvent is used in a wide range of applications such as paint stripping, removal of graffiti, cleaning of resins and industrial degreasing.

As part of the project, Rhodia has also designed a new production process that makes it possible to use a by-product created in the company’s polyamide chain that, until now, was simply burnt. The conversion of this product into a useful raw material helps to optimize the use of petrochemical resources and reduce the Group’s environmental footprint.

“This project demonstrates the ability of Rhodia’s teams to include concern for sustainability in their initial product design work as well as in the development of the related production process. Rhodiasolv® Iris is an excellent illustration of our vision of sustainable development, as a moral imperative for social and environmental responsibility and as a driver of new economic growth,” explains Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, Chairman and CEO of Rhodia.

* An initiative of the French Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industry in association with the French Federation of the Chemical Sciences (FFC, Fédération Française des Sciences de la Chimie) and the Union of Chemical Industries (UIC), this scientific and technological prize is presented every year to chemical manufacturers who engage in innovation to support sustainable development. Yves Chauvin, winner of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2005, and Professor Armand Lattes, jointly chair the selection panel.

Rhodia is an international chemical company resolutely committed to sustainable development. As a leader in its businesses, the Group aims to improve its customers’ performance through the pursuit of operational excellence and its ability to innovate. Structured around six Enterprises, Rhodia is the partner of major players in the automotive, electronics, flavors and fragrances, health, personal and home care markets, consumer goods and industrial markets. The Group employs around 14,500 people worldwide and generated sales of €4.8 billion in 2008. Rhodia is listed on NYSE Euronext .

For further details, please visit our institutional website at www.rhodia.com and Rhodiasolv® IRIS webpage.

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