Rhodiantal IBCH is a key ingredient in the formulation of the sandalwood note, which is used in incense products, fragrances and home and personal care products, according to Rhodia.
Sandalwood is a very popular ingredient in Asia, a Rhodia spokesperson told CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com, adding that its widespread use in this region is “a question of cultural and religious habits”.
Asia is the strongest market for sandalwood worldwide, with India being the number one country for the fragrance ingredient, the spokesperson added, and it is also very popular in China.
Operations to begin in 2011
The increase in production comes as part of the transfer of Rhodia’s Wuxi plant to its new industrial platform located in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province, which according to the spokesperson, operates several of the group’s activities, including those related to Guaiacol.
“Guaiacol, which is obtained from catechol, is one of the two key raw materials used to manufacture Rhodiantal IBCH,” the spokesperson said. In terms of production capacity of Rhodiantal IBCH, the spokesperson said the Rhodia "enjoys a satisfactory level of capacity so as to sustain market growth [In Asia] which we evaluate at 10%.”
Operations at the new plant are expected to begin in 2011, and the industrial platform in Zhenjiang also produces the intermediates used in the production of Vanillin, which is also a major growth driver for the Aroma Performance business unit in Asia, according to Rhodia.
Asia represents the largest market worldwide for the business unit, with a share of more than 30%, and it experiences the highest level of growth, particularly in the fragrance segment, the spokesperson explained.
Rhodia’s Aroma Performance business unit includes the group’s diphenol and fluorine intermediates activities, and supplies flavourings and fragrances to the food and fragrance markets in addition to other application areas.