Rhodia (Paris / France; www.rhodia.com) inaugurated its new international research and development centre in Shanghai / China, one of five the company operates worldwide, in November. The centre will be dedicated to the Asian market, and according to Rhodia, will focus on "high technology innovations which respect the principles of sustainable development" and provide "cost effective solutions" in its principal fields of activity. One of the focal points of R&D in China will be the development of engineering plastics for the E&E and automotive sectors, the French company said.

At the outset, the Shanghai facility will employ 70 research staff, who will work in a pilot hall designed on a modular basis allowing them to "extrapolate their laboratory work more rapidly." By 2010 it is planned to employ 150 research staff.