Orion Expands Global Circular Carbon Black Production with New Capability in China
Global specialty chemicals company Orion S.A. has announced a significant expansion of its sustainable manufacturing capabilities with the production of circular carbon black at its ISCC PLUS-certified facility in Qingdao, China. The move represents another important milestone in Orion’s strategy to scale circular economy solutions and provide customers worldwide with sustainable alternatives to conventional carbon black products.
The Qingdao plant, located on China’s eastern coast, is now producing three grades of circular carbon black under Orion’s ECORAX® product line: ECORAX® Circular 200, ECORAX® Circular 210, and ECORAX® Circular 215. These products are manufactured using tire pyrolysis oil (TPO), a recycled feedstock derived from end-of-life tires through a thermal decomposition process. By utilizing TPO, Orion is helping transform waste materials into valuable industrial products while reducing dependence on traditional fossil-based raw materials.
The introduction of circular carbon black production in China expands Orion’s global footprint in sustainable manufacturing and strengthens its ability to meet increasing customer demand for environmentally responsible materials. According to company leadership, the initiative is part of a broader effort to support sustainability goals across the tire and rubber industries without compromising product quality or performance.
Orion Chief Executive Officer Corning Painter emphasized the strategic importance of the new production capability. He noted that the expansion in China marks a critical step toward establishing a truly global supply of circular carbon black products. By extending the ECORAX® product portfolio to additional regions, Orion gains greater flexibility to serve customers seeking sustainable materials while maintaining the consistency, reliability, and technical performance expected from carbon black products.
Carbon black plays a vital role in numerous industrial applications. It is widely used in tires, coatings, plastics, inks, batteries, and other specialty products. In tire manufacturing, carbon black acts as a reinforcing agent that improves durability, wear resistance, and overall performance. As sustainability becomes an increasingly important priority for manufacturers, demand for recycled and circular alternatives is growing rapidly across the market.
The newly introduced ECORAX® Circular grades are designed to support this transition. ECORAX® Circular 200 is categorized as a hard black grade primarily intended for tire applications. Meanwhile, ECORAX® Circular 210 and 215 offer versatility for both tire manufacturing and mechanical rubber goods (MRG), including industrial rubber products used in various sectors.
One of the key advantages of these circular grades is their compatibility with existing manufacturing processes. Orion states that ECORAX® Circular 200 and ECORAX® Circular 210 serve as full drop-in replacements for ASTM grades N326 and N330, respectively. These conventional carbon black grades are widely used throughout the tire industry and are traditionally produced from fossil-based feedstocks. By offering sustainable alternatives with comparable performance characteristics, Orion enables customers to increase the recycled content of their products without requiring significant process modifications or sacrificing quality standards.
The launch in China builds upon Orion’s earlier investments in Europe. In 2024, the company significantly expanded its circular carbon black production capabilities through commercial-scale operations at its facility in Jasło, Poland. There, Orion began large-volume production of ECORAX® Circular 200 and ECORAX® Circular 210 using tire pyrolysis oil as the primary feedstock.
The Polish facility represented a major step forward in commercializing circular carbon black technologies, demonstrating the viability of large-scale sustainable production. The success of the European operation has provided a foundation for Orion’s latest expansion into Asia, creating a more geographically diversified supply network for customers seeking sustainable carbon black products.
A critical component of Orion’s circular manufacturing strategy is certification and traceability. The company’s circular carbon black products are certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS framework. This certification provides assurance that sustainable raw materials are sourced responsibly and that the chain of custody is maintained throughout the production process.
ISCC PLUS certification has become increasingly important in industries pursuing sustainability targets and regulatory compliance requirements. By verifying the origin and traceability of feedstocks, the certification helps customers demonstrate the environmental credentials of their products and supports broader corporate sustainability initiatives.
To facilitate circular production, Orion has invested in specialized infrastructure at both its Qingdao and Jasło facilities. These sites feature dedicated storage and handling systems that allow tire pyrolysis oil and conventional carbon black oil to be stored separately and managed independently throughout the manufacturing process.
The infrastructure includes dedicated oil tanks and customized feed systems designed to ensure precise control over feedstock inputs. The separate handling of TPO and carbon black oil allows operators to carefully regulate production parameters while maintaining consistent product quality.
Pedro Riveros, Orion’s Senior Vice President of Global Rubber Carbon Black, highlighted the importance of this infrastructure investment. According to Riveros, the company has developed a fully controlled process for receiving, storing, and dosing tire pyrolysis oil into production operations. This capability enables Orion to accurately manage the blending ratios between recycled and conventional feedstocks.
The technology also allows for more precise measurement of tire pyrolysis oil content within the finished products. Such precision is essential for maintaining quality consistency across production batches and providing customers with confidence in the sustainability attributes of the materials they purchase.
As more manufacturers develop circular economy strategies and sustainability commitments, accurate measurement and verification of recycled content become increasingly important. Orion’s ability to provide traceable, certified circular carbon black products positions the company to support customers seeking to meet environmental goals while maintaining product performance requirements.
Beyond its current production activities, Orion continues to invest in securing long-term access to sustainable feedstocks. Riveros noted that the company has already invested in tire pyrolysis oil production capacity in Europe and plans to act as an offtaker for circular feedstocks across multiple locations. These investments are intended to strengthen supply chain reliability and support future growth in circular manufacturing.
The company’s approach reflects a broader industry trend toward developing integrated circular ecosystems in which waste materials are collected, processed, and reintroduced into manufacturing supply chains. Such systems help reduce landfill waste, lower dependence on virgin raw materials, and contribute to greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
Founded on a heritage that spans more than 160 years, Orion has evolved into one of the world’s leading producers of carbon black. The company operates 15 manufacturing facilities globally and maintains four innovation centers focused on advancing product development and sustainability initiatives. Orion’s portfolio serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, industrial manufacturing, coatings, printing, plastics, and energy storage.
The company’s roots trace back to Germany, where it continues to operate the world’s longest-running carbon black production facility. Over the decades, Orion has established itself as a leader in innovation and customer-focused solutions, leveraging deep technical expertise to address changing market demands.
The launch of circular carbon black production in China represents another step in Orion’s ongoing transformation toward more sustainable manufacturing practices. By expanding access to certified circular products in both Europe and Asia, the company is strengthening its position in a market increasingly driven by environmental considerations, resource efficiency, and circular economy principles.
As tire manufacturers and industrial customers continue to seek ways to reduce their environmental footprint, Orion’s growing portfolio of circular carbon black products offers a practical pathway toward sustainability without compromising the performance standards required in demanding applications. The company’s investments in technology, infrastructure, certification, and feedstock supply underscore its commitment to supporting the global transition to a more sustainable industrial future.
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