By David Reed, UT EditorLyon, France-Rhodia Polyamide has increased the price of its adipic acid by €130/tonne in Europe and $150/tonne in Asia, to counterbalance unprecedented steep rises in energy (gas) and raw material costs (benzene, cyclohexane and ammonia). Although primarily used to make nylon polymers, the material is also widely used to make polyester poloyols in the urethanes sector. Rhodia Polyamide is among the industry's pioneers in its approach to sustainable development. It proactively strives to reduce energy consumption while consistently maintaining the highest industry standards," said Gilles Grenier, vice-president, Rhodia Polyamide,in a 4 Jan statement. However, his statement added, "given the economic climate, this effort alone is not sufficient to overcome the current, persistent, energy and transport cost pressures." There is a need for margin recovery along with a stronger world demand in both polyamide and polyurethane markets, the Rhodia statement concluded."
