Tires

The global tire industry is the largest consumer of carbon black, which makes up about 30% of a typical tire by weight. The material reinforces rubber and makes tire treads more resistant to tearing, cutting, abrasion and other wear. Carbon black plays a key role in decreasing rolling resistance, leading to increased fuel efficiency. The material also enables engineers to fine tune performance and protects tires from the damaging effects of UV light.

Orion’s tire customers are seeking fully sustainable raw materials. We have long been a pioneer in sustainability. A decade ago, Orion was the first major producer to develop and commercialize carbon black made from renewable feedstocks, such as industrial-grade vegetable oils or other oils derived from waste and residues of biological origin from agriculture or forestry. We were also the first among our peers to develop and manufacture carbon black with pyrolysis oils from end-of-life tires (ELT), enabling a tire circular economy.

In 2022, Orion became the first to achieve International Sustainability and Carbon Certifications (ISCC Plus) for multiple carbon black grades made from different feedstocks at plants in two regions of the world.

As we continue to develop sustainable solutions, our product portfolio will shift toward:

Enabling carbon black that helps our customers develop more sustainable products that reduce emissions and save resources.
Renewable carbon black made from renewable feedstocks.
Recycled carbon black made from post-consumer recycled products, such as ELTs.

The Anatomy of a Tire and Carbon Black’s vital role in the Product

Carbon black makes up between 20% to 30% of a tire’s mass, and more than 30 types of carbon black have been specifically developed for tires.

Introducing the Michelin-led BlackCycle Project and Orion’s Role in the Initiative

Orion is honored to be the only carbon black producer that is part of the EU-funded BlackCycle initiative, which is led by Michelin.

Renewable Carbon Black

One decade ago, Orion was the first major carbon black producer to develop and commercialize a renewable carbon black. In 2021, the company launched the first product — ECORAX^®Nature 105 — made from 100% renewable feedstock. In early 2022, we launched ECORAX^®Nature 200, based on a second-generation, animal-free, bio-based feedstock. The product is produced in an ISCC Plus certified plant and can lead to negative* Global Warming Potential.

(*Life Cycle Assessment – cradle to gate – was conducted following guidelines from TfS, considering the bio credit from the biogenic content of the product.)

How can we help you?

With 15 production sites and four technical centers worldwide, we are always near to our customers. If you would like to contact us, please use the contact form on our site or go to our contact page.