Rhodia Investment (China) Co. ,Ltd.：integrating corporate social responsibility into daily operation

Company Profile
 
Rhodia is an international industrial group dedicated to sustainable development, and a leader in chemical industry. The group aims to continuously improve its management ability and innovation ability to help customers improve their performance. Rhodia has 7 subsidiaries and has established partnerships with major companies in industries, cars, tyres, electronics, perfumes, health care, beauty and home care fields. The group is listed on Euronext Stock Exchange in Paris.
 
The development of Rhodia in China can be traced back to 1960s when China started its foreign trade. From the first joint venture company in 1993, Rhodia has invested 16 legal entities in China with 2300 employees, including 1 holding companies, 1 trading companies and 14 joint ventures or wholly owned factories.    
 
Founded in 1995, Rhodia Investment (China) Co. ,Ltd.(hereinafter referred to as "Rhodia China") is a holding company and aims to consolidate the local business interests in China. Rhodia China is a member of Executive Committee of Foreign Investment Companies (ECFIC) and China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment (CAEFI). 　　
 
Challenges
 
Rhodia keeps in mind that the operation of the chemical industry cannot be separated from a high sense of responsibility. Thus, Rhodia invested a lot of energy in the whole group and actively strengthened and promoted corporate social responsibility in the daily management and operation, so as to achieve the goal of sustainable development.
 
Solutions
 
In 2005, Rhodia made a responsibility reference frame called “Rhodia way”. This frame made the corporate social responsibility guidelines, commitments and indicators for the following six major stakeholders, namely, customers, employees, environment, investors, suppliers and local communities. In order to achieve the goal of corporate social responsibility, Rhodia listes a total of 21 commitments, involving 44 key measures. This "Rhodia way" can integrate corporate social responsibility into all links of operation process.
 
"Rhodia way" is a long-term corporate social responsibility program and targets local conditions of branch offices around the world. Its purpose is to put the corporate social responsibility into the process of Rhodia management and operation, and to get the full implementation in daily operations from management to staff without exception. "Rhodia way" includes all corporate social responsibility commitments in Beijing Declaration of its investment corporate working committee, other agreements and charters. In addition, it also reflects a regular and systematic way to implement corporate social responsibility model.
 
Energy conservation and environmental protection
 
Responsibility is the foundation of Rhodia. after more than 30 years, this commitment is reflected in Rhodia’s daily environmental action in this field with good performance. In 2007, its social responsibility in energy conservation and environmental protection is shown in the following examples and related measures:
 
 (1) Following the national and local environmental standards:
 
All production in China meet the national and local environmental requirements.
 
Rhodia Liyang Rare Earth New Materials Co., Ltd., Rhodia Wuxi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Rhodia WuXi Specialty Chemicals Co., Ltd., obtained the green certification issued by the local environmental protection bureau.
 
Rhodia WuXi Specialty Chemicals Co., Ltd., Rhodia Liyang Rare Earth New Materials Co., Ltd., Rhodia Silica (Qingdao) Co., Ltd., Beijing Rhodia Eastem Chemical Co., Ltd.,  Rhodia Wuxi Specialty Perfumery Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd. and Baotou Solvay Rare Earth Co., Ltd. have been certifies by ISO 14000 .
 
Solvay (Zhenjiang) Chemicals Co., Ltd. ,and Rhodia Silica (Qingdao) Co., Ltd., passed the clean production audit.
 
(2) Increase the capital investment for facilities in China to protect the environment:
 
Rhodia China has installed new equipment to detect the chemical oxygen demand of daily life waste water and gives necessary disposal before the waste  discharge;
 
The company introduces qualified companies to collect solid and liquid waste generated from R&D center and the canteen, and gives specially treat before discharge;
 
Rhodia Silica (Qingdao) Co., Ltd., took corresponding measures to strengthen the protection of the surrounding environment, such as reducing the noise and optimizing  waste water treatment process and upgrading dust collecting equipment.
 
(3) Contribute to the environmental awareness of local community:
 
By strengthening the book recycling program and donating books for primary schools, Rhodia WuXi Specialty Chemicals Co., Ltd., has set a good example in promoting  supports to children.
 
Rhodia WuXi Specialty Chemicals Co., Ltd., also held picture shows in its plants to strengthen environmental publicity, so as to stimulate people's awareness of sustainable development.
 
(4) R&D activity:
 
By cooperating with oil services companies, the R&D center of Rhodia China provided tailored technical solutions based on controlling the formation process of the polymers and surfactants. These solutions can improve the effect of oil refining and improve the corrosion resistance of the recovery equipment while taking into account its impact on environment at the same time.
 
(5) Provide professional assistance for national environmental standard:
 
Rhodia Hengchang (Zhangjiagang) Fine Chemical Co., sent a group of experts to actively participate in the investigation of the new national standards for the establishment of phosphate waste discharge. This standard is introduced in 2008 to match the rapid development of environmental career in phosphate industry.
 
Achievements
 
In November 2007, Rhodia China was awarded the CSR Outstanding Award by CAEFI ;
 
In 2007, Rhodia China was awarded as “Advanced Company on Work Safety” by the Management Committee of Shanghai Xinzhuang Industrial Zone.
 
Prospect
 
The prosperity of world economy and the vigorous development of global civilization need every institution at home and abroad with a high sense of corporate social responsibility. Correspondingly, corporate social responsibility will also affect the sustainable development of these institutions and their fate. For Rhodia, promoting the corporate social responsibility is not temporary, but a long-term mission. Enterprises may face various challenges from time to time, and may need to keep balance between business purpose and corporate social responsibility value. But Rhodia always keeps in mind that only fulfilling social responsibility can bring a bright future for the enterprise.