France-headquartered chemical company Rhodia has signed an agreement to purchase the privately held McIntyre Group Ltd, a US manufacturer of specialty surfactants.

Rhodia said this acquisition would reinforce its personal cleansing business and extend its offer for hair care, as well as home, institutional and industrial cleaning markets.

Rhodia CEO Jean-Pierre Clamadieu explained, “This ‘bolt-on’ acquisition will reinforce our presence in innovative markets which are largely resistant to economic downturns. Our solid financial structure enables us to seize this opportunity today while investing to prepare our future.