Rhodia Closes the Sale of Its North American Specialty Phosphates Business to Bain Capital and Finalizes the Divestiture Program Announced in October 2003

Business Wire, August 16, 2004

PARIS -- Rhodia (NYSE:RHA) announced today that it has closed the sale of its North American specialty phosphates business in accordance with the agreement signed on June 11th with Bain Capital.

Rhodia has therefore achieved a total of approximately 870 million euros from divestitures in 2004 at an average multiple of 10 times EBITDA. After closing adjustments, various fees and taxes, net proceeds from divestitures in 2004 will total approximately 760 million euros, substantially greater than the 700 million euro objective.

"The finalization of the divestiture program announced in October 2003 allows us to refocus Rhodia on a more limited portfolio of strategic businesses and reduce our debt," commented Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, CEO of Rhodia. "We can now focus our resources on managing these businesses and improving Rhodia's overall performance to achieve our medium term objectives."

This press release is available on Rhodia's corporate website at: www.rhodia.com

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 5.4 billion euros in 2003 and employs 23,000 people worldwide. Rhodia is listed on the Paris and New York stock exchanges.

Bain Capital (www.baincapital.com) is a global private investment firm that manages several pools of capital including private equity, high-yield assets, mezzanine capital and public equity with more than $20 billion in assets under management. The firm has strong experience in a variety of industries and with "carve-out" transactions in which non-core businesses or assets of corporations are purchased by private investors. Since its inception in 1984, the firm has made private equity investments and add-on acquisitions in over 225 companies around the world. A global team of investment professionals dedicated to industrial businesses have guided investments in a broadly diversified group of companies including NOVACAP, a leading manufacturer and distributor of chemicals acquired from Rhodia in January, 2003. Additional industrial investments include SigmaKalon, Brenntag and Sud-Dekor / Dakor. Headquartered in Boston, Bain Capital has offices in New York, London and Munich.