Rhodia's Eolys Earns More Approvals for Effectively Eliminating Diesel Particulate Emissions

DETROIT--April 14, 2005--Rhodia's Eolys(TM) fuel-borne catalyst has been approved for 2005 by Europe's "VERT project" for effectively eliminating virtually all diesel particulate emissions when used with the ExoClean(TM) diesel particulate filter.

The filter and other system components were among various technologies listed by VERT, which rigorously tests particulate trap systems for retrofitting diesel engines, based on multi-year technical studies. These studies proved the components' effectiveness for addressing emissions from retrofitted diesel-powered heavy-duty construction vehicles. The studies also highlighted prospective improvement in health effects from reduced diesel particulate emissions.

This latest approval from the VERT consortium adds to a lengthening list of technical, regulatory and government policy studies that confirm the effectiveness of Rhodia's Eolys(TM) ceria-based, fuel-borne catalyst when used with a diesel particulate filter.

VERT is a collaborative effort of the Swiss and German environmental protection agencies, and the Swiss and Austrian occupational health agencies that has attracted recognition from the U.S. Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA), the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Canada's Diesel Emissions Evaluation Program (DEEP), a research consortium aimed at reducing exposure to diesel exhaust in underground mining.

Technologies accepted under the rigorous VERT testing program are authorized for applications across the heavy-duty diesel market that includes trucks, buses and construction vehicles. News of the VERT acceptance reached Rhodia during this week's World Congress of the Society for Automotive Engineers (SAE) in Detroit.

"Acceptance by the VERT authorities represents another significant milestone for Rhodia's Eolys(TM) technology," according to Chris York, general manager of Rhodia's North American fine inorganics businesses. "We've always been confident in our technology and we are especially pleased that this pre-eminent scientific and regulatory consortium has endorsed its effectiveness.

"We are likewise optimistic that our Eolys(TM) technology will attract and pass further scrutiny from U.S. environmental regulators that have clear technical and policy interests in resolving the challenges of diesel emissions," he continued. In particular, the VERT protocols are acknowledged by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and hence regulatory agencies in several other states.

More than one million diesel-powered autos emit virtually zero particulates in Europe, thanks to Rhodia's unique Eolys(TM) technology combined with a diesel particulate filter. The third generation of Eolys(TM) improvements allows maintenance-free operation for the lifetime of the vehicle (more than 155,000 miles).

"Ours is the only technology available on an industrial scale that can meet the emissions requirements for mass-produced applications," York explained. "And our products succeed through existing, proven technology that's ready for a very economical introduction here and now. Our record of one million vehicles speaks for itself--no other products compare."

Eolys(TM) is a technically advanced, rare earth-based, fuel-borne catalyst. When added to diesel fuel in trace amounts, it promotes the combustion of the soot collected by the DPF and allows its fast, complete and safe regeneration, a key feature of this best available technology. The Eolys(TM) catalyst can be premixed or added to the vehicle tank via an automatic, on-board dosing system. Engine performance and durability are not affected in the process and the fuel penalty of an emissions filter is minimized versus competing technologies.

For diesel-powered heavy-duty construction vehicles, VERT recommends the use of Eolys(TM) with an efficient filter to suppress the health impact of diesel particulates. In addition, the ExoClean(TM) filter system integrated with the Eolys(TM) Fuel-Borne Catalyst system has recently passed successfully all the standards (VFT1, VSET) and the 2000 hours durability tests (VFT2 and VFT3) complying with the criteria of the VERT specifications and verifications.

The VERT approbation completes the utilization field of Eolys(TM) in retrofit applications for diesel engines, in addition to other registrations including PTS Titan(TM) and BlueSky(TM) (DCL), SMF(TM) (HJS), DFPi(TM)/DPFiS(TM)/DPF-CRT(TM) (Johnson-Matthey). Its applications are particularly suitable for almost all diesel applications such as buses, trucks, construction site, fork lift, ship/rail, and stationary diesels.

Rhodia is a global specialty chemicals company recognized for its strong technology positions in applications chemistry, specialty materials & services and fine chemicals. Partnering with major players in the automotive, electronics, fibers, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, consumer care, tires and paints & coatings markets, Rhodia offers tailor-made solutions combining original molecules and technologies to respond to customers' needs. Rhodia subscribes to the principles of Sustainable Development communicating its commitments and performance openly with stakeholders. Rhodia generated net sales of 5.3 billion euros in 2004 ($7.2 billion using the Dec. 3, 20041, 2004 USD/Euro exchange rate of 1.3621) and employs 20,000 people worldwide. Rhodia is listed on the Paris and New York stock exchanges.