Two years ago, a severe drought struck Nelson Mandela Bay on South Africa’s southern coast, leaving reservoirs nearly depleted and bringing the 1.3 million residents close to a dire “day zero” when water would cease to flow from taps. Among the impacted areas was an Orion facility that produces carbon black, a crucial material for the country’s tire industry. This crisis spurred Orion to develop a solution to help conserve the municipality’s dwindling water supply.
Despite considerable engineering challenges, Orion successfully installed a water treatment system at its facility. This system recycles treated effluent from a nearby municipal sewage plant, repurposing it for use in Orion’s production processes.
“By conserving potable water for community use, we’re making a significant impact,” said Orion CEO Corning Painter. “The treated effluent that previously ended up in the ocean is now being repurposed to produce carbon black, which enhances the longevity and performance of car tires. This initiative not only supports environmental sustainability but also generates substantial cost savings.”
The South African water-recycling project is highlighted in Orion’s “Sustainability Report 2023,” which the company has released today under the theme: “Driving Innovation, Enabling the Everyday.” The report features several key achievements, including:
- Earning an EcoVadis Platinum Medal, placing Orion in the top 1% of evaluated companies.
- Launching a Battery Innovation Center to advance new products and formulations for lithium-ion batteries, aiding the transition to electrification.
- Investing €12.8 million, including €6.4 million in grants from the German government and the European Union, to develop a climate-neutral process for producing carbon black from alternative carbon sources.
- Leading the carbon black industry in ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) PLUS certified production sites.
- Achieving the goal of having 80% of employees complete 40 or more training hours, doubling the average from 2022.
In a Q&A with Painter, the CEO reflects on the company’s reputation for innovation and sustainability.
“Our track record in innovation and sustainability positions us as a key disruptor in the industry,” Painter stated. “We differentiate ourselves from larger competitors by focusing on sustainable products, which is not only the right approach but also what our customers demand.”
The report details Orion’s water-recycling project in South Africa, the only site in the carbon black industry located in Sub-Saharan Africa. The project, initiated in early 2023, involved laying a 65-meter pipeline from the Orion facility to the municipal treatment plant using a horizontal-boring technique to navigate beneath a road.
A 7-meter-deep sump was also constructed, presenting a significant challenge due to the sandy soil, which required stabilization with sandbags to prevent collapse and water accumulation.
Orion now has the capability to recover 3 million liters of treated effluent daily, ensuring it meets the quality standards necessary for the production process.
“This project reflects our dedication to core values of accountability, innovation, and building lasting relationships,” Painter added. “By finding innovative ways to conserve water, we strengthen our community ties and enhance supply security for our customers.”
The 2023 Sustainability Report is available on Orion’s website.
