RHONE-POULENC SA

major French chemical manufacturer that emphasizes the production of organic chemicals, synthetic fibres, and pharmaceuticals. Its headquarters are located in Paris. The company originated as a dyestuffs manufacturer in 1801 under the name Maison Debai-Extraits Tintoriaux and in 1895 was established as Socit Chimique des Usines du Rhne. In 1928 it merged with stablissements Poulenc Frres, the pharmaceutical house established by Camille Poulenc (18641942), the founder of the French pharmaceutical industry and a collaborator of Pierre and Marie Curie. The new Socit des Usines Chimiques Rhne-Poulenc immediately founded subsidiaries to develop pharmaceutical specialties and new techniques for the manufacture of synthetic textiles. The company adopted its present name in 1961. It was nationalized by the French government in 1982 and was returned to private ownership in 1993. Since France entered the Common Market in 1957, Rhne-Poulenc has been active in the reorganization of the French chemical industry. In 1961 it absorbed Celtex, a major synthetic-fibre producer, and has since become a leader in that field in France. Synthetic fibres now account for a larger share of company production than do pharmaceuticals, although the French public is still likely to identify Rhne-Poulenc with its drug products. In 1995, one of its main subsidiaries, Rhne-Poulenc Rorer, Inc., acquired Fisons, a major British drug manufacturer. The company has expanded into the production of plastics, fine specialty chemicals, films for packaging, electromagnetic tapes, and communications and copying systems. It also produces textiles, glues, paints, varnishes, and agricultural chemicals. While the bulk of the firm's sales come from France, it also has important markets in other western European countries, the Americas, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, and the Far East.