Rhodia Food expands interests in Oz

Rhodia Food, a subsidiary of French company Rhodia, has strengthened its position in Australia with the signature of a distribution agreement with Australian chemical giant Orica.

With an annual revenue in the region of $AU4 billion, Orica recently expanded its capabilities and distribution network with the acquisition of speciality chemicals company Fernz.

Rhodia​ maintains that the new agreement will help to ensure the rapid development of Rhodia's food phosphates, xanthan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, vanillin and antioxidants.

At the same time, the French company announced the recruitment of a new face in Australia. Amanda Dray has been taken on board to strengthen the technical sales support for cultures, probiotics and hydrocolloids.

"With an experience in fresh dairy and hydrocolloids, Amanda will reinforce Rhodia Food's local resources, and together with Leonard Lane, this will enhance our ability to bring out more new innovation to dairy customers faster,"​ commented Siew-Lii Bong, dairy regional business director for Rhodia Food in Asia Pacific.

The company added that the new recruitment is in line with Rhodia Food strategy 'to bring out innovative ingredients to cater to the increasing needs from customers for application in healthy products as demanded by the consumers.'​