Creation of Bluestar Silicones

The take-over of Rhodia Silicones by Bluestar was finalized on 31 January 2007. The new entity, called Bluestar Silicones, has its worldwide operational headquarters based in Lyon directed by Olivier de Clermont-Tonnerre.

With a turnover of around 700 million dollars, Bluestar Silicones has a 400,000 ton production capacity for silicones core intermediates, with two upstream silicones intermediates production sites. One of the sites is located in Roussillon (France) using Rhodia technology and the other is in Xinguo, and today represents the largest available production capacity for core silicones intermediates in China.

Bluestar Silicones also has downstream production units throughout the world and in particular in the Rhone-Alps region (Saint-Fons) as well as leading positions on key markets such as specialty elastomers, paper and textiles coatings, dental and paramedical applications, etc.

A new silicones intermediates unit is also being built at Tianjin (China). With additional downstream business investments in Europe and Asia, the new Group’s ambition is to become one of the world leaders in the silicones industry in the next five years.

The new group will have two centers of excellence; one in Europe with a world-scale research center in Lyon and a large number of production units and one in Asia with a strong presence in the upstream business, many investment projects, a rapidly expanding sales network, technical support services and fast-growing production capacity. In time, Bluestar Silicones is set to become fully integrated for the key silicones raw material: silicon.

‘This merger with the leading silicones player in China is a unique opportunity for us to focus on our worldwide ambition based on strong positions and over 50 years’ experience in silicones. Many growth projects are either already decided, or in the pipeline, involving all of the skill and energy of our two teams. We have every confidence in the combined strengths of our two cultures, to offer the very best service to our customers,’ stated Olivier de Clermont-Tonnerre, Bluestar Silicones CEO.