The France-based chemicals company Rhodia has acquired amines manufacturer Feixiang Chemicals in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province, for US$489m. The move is expected to help Rhodia expand in the specialty surfactants market, reported China Daily, and reinforce its presence in the home and personal care, industrial cleaning, agrochemicals, oilfields and coatings sectors.

Although Feixiang has experienced rapid growth in recent years, considerable funds are needed to expand production capability and improve environmental protection facilities. According to Wang Weiyu, general manager of the renamed Rhodia Feixiang, an estimated Rmb200m will be invested annually into the new factory over the next decade.

In October this year, Rhodia spent €20m transferring its Wuxi plant to a new facility in Zhenjiang, also in Jiangsu province, to produce chemicals for the perfumery industry.