Chicago Heights manufacturing plant expands

CHICAGO HEIGHTS | Specialty chemical producer Rhodia Inc. unveiled the expansion of its south suburban plant Wednesday along with a new environmentally engineered greenhouse conference room designed by students from Garfield Elementary School.

The seven-acre plant at 1020 State St. produces highly dispersible silica, a mineral found in quartz and sand used primarily in the production of fuel-saving tires. Rhodia's silica also is used in a variety of other markets such as industrial applications, personal care products and nutrition.

This expansion increases the output of silica by 16,000 tons and boosts Rhodia's North American capacity by 33 percent, said Mike Quinn, vice president and general manager. It is the international company's largest expansion project in Chicago Heights since the plant was built in 1995, he said.

Rhodia's highly dispersible silica is used in tire treads to lower rolling resistance by about 25 percent so vehicles use 5 percent to 7 percent less fuel and emit 5 percent to 7 percent less carbon dioxide, Quinn said.

Tom Benner, president of Rhodia Silica, flew from headquarters in Lyon, France, to attend the ribbon-cutting and tour the facility.

"One year after commissioning our new plant in Qingdao, China, this additional increase in production capacity confirms our continued commitment to leadership in highly dispersible silica," Benner said. "We are also in the construction phase of a similar expansion at Collonges au Mont d'Or, France, that will be completed in 2012."

These three investments will increase Rhodia's global capacity in silica more than 40 percent, "ensuring that we are prepared now to meet long-term growth expectations associated with demand for fuel-saving tires," he said.

"We chose to invest here because we believe the Chicago Heights plant can make us competitive on a global stage," Benner said.

The sustainable energy theme of the event also was showcased in the greenhouse. Rhodia invested $60,000 to build the greenhouse from designs and specifications provided by seventh- and eighth-grade students from the District 170 elementary school.

Students participated in the project-based learning experience, researching topics such as how to design and construct a greenhouse, what plants to feature and what fish should be in the pond, said Kathleen Evans, the resource teacher who worked with the students.

"Your spirit and creativity have given our teams here a lot of energy," Benner told the students during the greenhouse debut. "Maybe some of you will become chemists and engineers and work for Rhodia."

Rhodia also has a facility in Hammond.