About Oldbury
Background information on Rhodia's Oldbury site
Oldbury Site
What we do
Rhodia's Oldbury site manufactures a range of different chemicals, all based on phosphorus. These products are used in a wide range of everyday items such as mobile phones, children's nightwear, pharmaceuticals and detergents, as well as to treat water and help increase oil well production.
As a chemicals manufacturer, the health and safety of our employees and our neighbours, and respect for the environment is central to all we do. Full details of Oldbury's health, safety and environment policy are available here.
Five key facts about Rhodia Oldbury
- We employ approximately 250 people across the site in production, finance, human resources, product stewardship, logistics and procurement.
- We are the world leader in phosphorus-based chemistry and manufacturing.
- We produce up to 100,000 tonnes p.a. of a wide range of products.
- We manufacture more than 150 different products which are used in a diverse range of end applications – such as pharmaceuticals, flame retardants, metal treatment and in oilfields.
- We export over 50 percent of all products manufactured to every continent of the world.
Site History
Chemical manufacturing dates back to 1840, when a 29 year old chemist called Arthur Albright began manufacturing phosphorus at Oldbury.
Our local community
Oldbury does all it can to maintain close relations with our neighbours. For example, we produce a regular community newsletter to keep the local community informed of the latest developments on the site. Here are the latest two newsletters:
July 2011: "New owner for Rhodia?" Read the full article
February 2011: "Rhodia helps Langley band to National Championship finals ..." read more
2012-13 Calendar for the local community
Latest news
World's Biggest Coffee Morning
Sandwell Cash Boost
Langley Primary School has received a big cash boost in its plans to provide a new exercise trail in the school grounds.
The school has received a £1,500 boost from multi-national company Rhodia - which has a large base in Langley - towards the cost of the scheme to help improve fitness in the community.
The donation will help towards fundraising for a new exercise trail for the school and local community to use.
Sandwell Council is also helping the school bid for further funding.
The trail, an area to encourage running and exercises, is aimed at helping with co-ordination and team work. Plans include a climbing wall, a tyre park and a wooden exercise trail.
Head teacher Tony James said: "The trail will not only help the children of Langley to keep fit but also their parents. It will be a good resource for the whole of the local community.
"We will be looking to get work under way on the first phase of the trail in the Summer term and then continue with further phases subject to getting more funding."
Ranbir Padda, manufacturing support manager at Rhodia, a world leader in the development and production of specialty chemicals, said: "Rhodia has a deep commitment to the communities where our employees live and work.
"We are pleased to make this donation available to Langley Primary School and contribute to the health and fitness of the children and local community."
Contact us
If you have any questions or concerns about our operations at Oldbury site, please don't hesitate to contact us on the following email address: rhodia.oldbury@eu.rhodia.com or call us on 0121 552 3333.
If you'd like to be kept informed of news about Oldbury site by email, just send your email address to ranbir.padda@eu.rhodia.com and we'll ensure you receive alerts and regular updates. Rhodia will not pass on your details to any third party.
Close neighbours of Oldbury site need to be aware of the key steps to take in the event of a chemical emergency. Click on the link below to view...
The Oldbury manufacturing site has won a top safety award in recognition of its excellent workplace safety record over the past decade. Only those companies who have met the most stringent ‘Gold performance’ criteria set by the UK Chemical Industries Association receive its prestigious Diamond Safety Award.