Category: News

HOUSTON – Orion Engineered Carbons (NYSE: OEC) today announced the commercial launch of ECORAX® Nature, the first highly reinforcing carbon black for tires that is made from industrial-grade renewable plant-based oils. 

The product, which can be used in critical tire tread construction, is being tested by customers and will go into high-volume manufacturing in the second half of 2022. 

“This launch is an important milestone in our strategy to develop commercially viable carbon black products that drive sustainability across the value chain,” said Corning Painter, CEO at Orion. “This strategy – combined with our footprint, ability to innovate and deep customer relationships – makes Orion the right partner for a sustainable future.” 

By exclusively using plant-based oils, ECORAX® Nature is a pathway to lowering the net CO2 emissions within the tire industry supply chain. 

About Orion Engineered Carbons 

Orion Engineered Carbons (NYSE: OEC) is a global supplier of carbon black products including high-performance specialty gas blacks, acetylene blacks, furnace blacks, lamp blacks, thermal blacks, and other carbon blacks that tint, colorize and enhance the performance of polymers, plastics, paints and coatings, inks and toners, textile fibers, adhesives and sealants, batteries, tires and mechanical rubber goods, such as automotive belts and hoses. The company has over 125 years of history providing customized solutions from a network of 14 global production sites and is dedicated to responsible business practices that emphasize reliability, innovation and sustainability. For more information, please visit orioncarbons.com. 

Forward-Looking Statements 

This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to 

time and it is not possible to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information, other than as required by applicable law. 

Contact: 

William Foreman
Director of Corporate Communications and
Government Affairs
Orion Engineered Carbons
Direct: +1 832-445-3305
Mobile: +1 281-889-7833
[email protected]

Wendy Wilson
Head of Investor Relations
Orion Engineered Carbons
Direct: +1 281-974-0155
[email protected]

 HOUSTON – Orion Engineered Carbons (NYSE: OEC), a global supplier of specialty and high-performance carbon black, today announced it has received 12 awards from the International Carbon Black Association (ICBA), recognizing the company’s stellar safety record at its plants in 2020. 

“Maintaining safe and sustainable business practices is one of our core values,” said Corning Painter, CEO at Orion. “We are honored to be recognized for our commitment to safety. We are dedicated to protecting our people and the communities in which we operate.” 

Orion has 14 production sites and four technical research and development centers worldwide. They all maintain robust systems, processes and programs promoting a safe work environment. Through a combination of safety culture, reporting, training and regular reviews, Orion has established safety programming that defines the responsibilities of everyone who works for the organization. 

About Orion Engineered Carbons 

Orion Engineered Carbons (NYSE: OEC) is a global supplier of carbon black products including high-performance specialty gas blacks, acetylene blacks, furnace blacks, lamp blacks, thermal blacks, and other carbon blacks that tint, colorize and enhance the performance of polymers, plastics, paints and coatings, inks and toners, textile fibers, adhesives and sealants, batteries, tires and mechanical rubber goods, such as automotive belts and hoses. The company has over 125 years of history providing customized solutions from a network of 14 global production sites and is dedicated to responsible business practices that emphasize reliability, innovation and sustainability. For more information, please visit orioncarbons.com. 

About ICBA 

The ICBA is a scientific, non-profit corporation originally founded in 1977. The purpose of the ICBA is to sponsor, conduct, and participate in investigations, research, and analyses relating to the health, safety, and environmental aspects of the production and use of carbon black. The association is managed and administered by a Board of Directors appointed by the member companies. This Board of Directors sets the strategy and provides overall direction to The Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) and the regional Product Safety and Regulatory Committees (PSRCs) while integrating and overseeing the activities of the SAG and PSRCs to determine objectives and priorities. For more details; visit http://carbon-black.org/ 

Forward-Looking Statements 

This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information, other than as required by applicable law. 

Contact: 

William Foreman
Director of Corporate Communications and
Government Affairs
Orion Engineered Carbons
Direct: +1 832-445-3305
Mobile: +1 281-889-7833
[email protected]

Wendy Wilson
Head of Investor Relations
Orion Engineered Carbons
Direct: +1 281-974-0155
[email protected]

Houston – July 1st, 2020 – Orion Engineered Carbons S.A. (NYSE: OEC), a worldwide supplier of specialty and high-performance Carbon Black, today announced the introduction of a new packaging system with soluble and meltable Minibags for dust free and sustainable handling

Orion has developed Minibags as a customized packaging solution for Carbon Black. Minibags are available for different material types, melting points and capacities. They have been designed to optimize the production process and serve small order quantities of between 100 g and 10kg. Minibags are suitable for both powder and beaded Carbon Blacks.

Carbon Black is a dusty and fluffy substance often presenting handling and packaging challenges. Minibags mitigate these challenges by allowing for direct incorporation into the production process without the need for opening the bags. Depending on the material, Minibags can either be water-soluble or meltable in polymers thus reducing waste and enabling the dust free processing of Carbon Black. All common polyethylene and other compatible elastomer bases as well as ethylene vinyl acetate or polyvinyl alcohol are offered as Minibag-material. The differing material characteristics and melting points enable the adaption of the bags to meet customers’ needs. Orion Engineered Carbons also offers small aluminum bags, in such cases, where the moisture protection of Carbon Black is most important.
The Minibags are produced in Germany and customers can order them as soon as they please.

About Orion Engineered Carbons S.A.

Orion is a worldwide supplier of Carbon Black. Orion group produces a broad range of Carbon Blacks that include high-performance Specialty Gas Blacks, Acetylene Blacks, Furnace Blacks, Lamp Blacks, Thermal Blacks and other Carbon Blacks that tint, colorize and enhance the performance of polymers, plastics, paints and coatings, inks and toners, textile fibers, adhesives and sealants, tires, and mechanical rubber goods such as automotive belts and hoses. Orion runs 14 global production sites. The group has approximately 1,450 employees worldwide. For more information please visit the Orion website www.orioncarbons.com.

 Houston – May 28, 2020 – Orion Engineered Carbons S.A. (NYSE: OEC), a worldwide supplier of specialty and high-performance Carbon Black, today announced that it is building a new logistics center at its largest manufacturing plant in Cologne, Germany. Upon completion, the central warehouse will be 8,850 square-meters, equaling a capacity of approximately 12,400 pallets. 

“We produce 160,000 metric tons and more than 100 differentiated grades of carbon black at this facility each year which must be treated and handled very carefully. The new, modern distribution center will enable us to further grow our business in a location where we have deep roots,” said Dr. Sandra Niewiem, Senior Vice President Specialty Carbon Black and EMEA Region. 

The new building, a turnkey project of Goldbeck construction company, will have eight truck docks. It will equalize plant traffic – with about one hundred trucks passing through the plant gate every day. In addition, the new warehouse will eliminate internal logistics, with consolidation into one location. Orion will lease the warehouse from Grieshaber. 

“With a space-optimized shuttle warehouse system and the connection to the warehouse via an automated material conveyor system, we will be able to guarantee a smooth and even more efficient flow of goods,” said Grieshaber Managing Director Mr. Gregor Schnell. 

Construction of the new distribution center will start in the next few weeks with the shell construction. The topping-out ceremony is planned for the end of June, with the handover and commissioning scheduled for December. 

About Orion 

Orion is a worldwide supplier of Carbon Black. We produce a broad range of Carbon Blacks that include high-performance Specialty Gas Blacks, Acetylene Blacks, Furnace Blacks, Lamp Blacks, Thermal Blacks and other Carbon Blacks that tint, colorize and enhance the performance of polymers, plastics, paints and coatings, inks and toners, textile fibers, adhesives and sealants, tires, and mechanical rubber goods such as automotive belts and hoses. Orion runs 14 global production sites. The group has approximately 1,450 employees worldwide. For more information, please visit our website www.orioncarbons.com. 

About Grieshaber 

GRIESHABER Logistik GmbH is an internationally active logistics service provider with its headquarter in Weingarten, Germany. Its range of services includes conventional and combined transport in Germany and abroad as well as comprehensive warehousing and packaging services. GRIESHABER is a specialist in the design and implementation of individual logistics solutions (contract logistics) for industrial and commercial customers, for example with a specially designed assembly plant in Slovenia for a leading global manufacturer of carbide tools. 

In addition to small parts logistics, the main focus of contract logistics is on pharmaceutical, food and automotive logistics. The portfolio is supplemented by, among other things, temperature-controlled transports, sea and inland waterway transport, hazardous goods transport, heavy goods transport as well as deadline and CEP transport. GRIESHABER is represented at seven locations in Europe. In addition to the German branches in Weingarten, Ravensburg, Kerpen, Grevenbroich/Pulheim, Singen and Mettmann, the company also has a location in Krsko, Slovenia. GRIESHABER Logistik GmbH 

emerged from Grieshaber GmbH, which was founded in 1951 by Heinrich Grieshaber the elder. The company, which is managed by the managing directors Roland Futterer (CFO), Gregor Schnell (CTO) and Alexander Tesch (COO), currently employs over 700 people and, together with GR Logistik GmbH, generates a turnover of almost 100 million euros. 

About Goldbeck 

Goldbeck is a construction company operating throughout Europe with a wide range of services. The main focus of its services is on the design, construction and management of industrial and logistics halls, office buildings and car parks. In addition, the family-owned company realizes schools, sports halls, senior citizens’ properties, day-care centres and solar plants. The range of services also includes facility management, re-construction in existing buildings and parking-lot management. Goldbeck relies on the concept of elementary construction with industrially prefabricated systems. These are mainly manufactured in the company’s own plants in Bielefeld, Treuen, Ulm and Hamm (all in Germany) as well as in the Czech Republic. This principle enables reliable quality, fast construction times and a particularly economical implementation. Goldbeck is a partner for medium-sized businesses as well as for large companies, investors, project developers and public clients. The company realized more than 470 projects with a total output of € 2.73 billion in the 2017/18 financial year. Goldbeck currently employs around 6,200 people. Goldbeck is represented at 48 locations in Germany and Europe. 

Orion Engineered Carbons S.A. 

Investor Relations
Wendy Wilson, +1 281-974-0155
[email protected]

Coordinated by the leading global tyre manufacturer Michelin and uniting 7 industrial partners, 5 Research & Technological Organizations (RTOs) and an innovation cluster into a European consortium in 5 countries, the BlackCycle project aims to enable a massive circular economy of tyres by designing world-first processes to produce new tyres from end-of-life tyres (ELTs). 

Officially launched in May 2020, the BlackCycle project involves 13 organisations1 in a unique European public-private partnership that will demonstrate the technical, environmental, and economic viability of world-first circular processes. The consortium will develop specific solutions to produce sustainable raw materials for tyres: ELT collection and feedstock selection, pyrolysis2 optimisation, oil refining and valorisation, furnace process optimisation, and sustainable tyre performance assessment. As early as 5-6 years after the project, close to 1 out of every 2 European ELTs will be incorporated into the only virtuous cycle of this magnitude amongst all industrial sectors for the recovery of end of life products. 

Funded by the Horizon 2020 program, BlackCycle benefits from an overall budget of about 16 M€ with an allocated European funding of about 12M€ (75% of project costs, see Fig. 1). About 35% of the project funding is allocated to SMEs, 15% to RTOs and 34% corresponds to the personnel costs. The consortium covers 5 European countries: France, Spain, Germany, Greece, and Switzerland and includes 7 industrial partners, 5 RTOs and an innovation cluster. Coordinated by Michelin, the consortium has designed an effective governance system involving a steering committee, a cluster synergies board, and a technical support committee. 

Context 

1.6 billion new tyres are sold worldwide each year, representing more than 26 million tons, and just as many fall into the category of end-of-life tyres (ELT) providing a large and partially tapped potential for material recovery. Today’s ELT treatment processes are not circular and do not result in many raw materials that can be reused in the tyre industry. Furthermore, as there is not enough solution to valorise materials from ELT in the EU, more than half of EU end-of-life and second-hand tyres are exported to far-off countries. 

A Circular Economy of Tyres in Europe as a goal 

The BlackCycle project aims at creating, developing, and optimising a full value chain form ELT feedstock to Secondary Raw Materials (SRMs), with no waste of resources in any part of the chain and a specific attention for the environmental impact. These SRMs will be used to develop new ranges of passenger car and truck tyres, which will be sold commercially in European and global markets. As a result, the BlackCycle value chain as a lower carbon footprint (see Figure 2), emitting 0.93 kg/CO2/kg tyres less and a lower using of fossil resources, using 0.89 kg fossil/kg ELT less. BlackCycle Press Statement at Project Kick-off 

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 869625. 

By offering an economically and environmentally viable alternative, BlackCycle will reduce the export of end of life tyres. By relocating end-of-life tyre management and transformation within the EU, BlackCycle is expected to create sustainable jobs inside the EU. 

Communication contacts 

Michelin
Hervé Erschler | Press Relations Michelin Group
+33 6 70 47 85 04 | [email protected]

Orion Engineered Carbons
Dirk Rechenbach | Vice President Marketing Business Line Rubber
+49 151 120 28 200 | [email protected]

Pyrum Innovations
Pascal Klein | MBA
+49 6831 95948 0| [email protected]

Quantis
Christina Papadimitriou | Sustainability Consultant
+41 21 35 35 910 | [email protected]

CSIC-Instituto de Carboquimica (ICB)
Ramon Murillo | Scientific Researcher and leader of the Environmental Research Group
+34 976 733 977 | [email protected]

CPERI/CERTH
Elli Heracleous | Associate Professor
+30 2310 498 345 | [email protected]

Sisener Ingenieros SL
Pablo Gonzalez | Thermal Department Manager
+34 91 658 68 38 | [email protected]

Aliapur
Stéphanie Lafond | Communication Director
+33 6 14 48 15 42 | [email protected]

Estato Umweltservice GmbH
Alexander Prokein | CEO
+49 9 61 3 06 52 27 | [email protected]

HERA Holding
Javier Lacoma | International Business Manager
+34 932 051 010 | [email protected]

AXELERA
Laura-Mia Grevon | Communication & Event manager
+33 7 72 00 67 89 | [email protected]

Ineris
Karine Grimault | Press & media relations officer
+ 33 6 49 33 49 60 | [email protected]

Fundacion ICAMCYL
Santiago Cuesta | General Director
+34 987 440 481 | [email protected]

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 869625. 

2 The pyrolysis process is used to depolymerise organic products and to obtain new raw materials for other processes.