Orion Expands Circular Carbon Black Production with New China Launch
Orion S.A. has expanded its circular materials strategy by launching production of circular carbon black at its ISCC PLUS-certified facility in Qingdao, China, marking a significant step in the company’s efforts to meet growing global demand for sustainable industrial materials.
The specialty chemicals producer announced that the plant is now manufacturing three circular carbon black grades — ECORAX Circular 200, 210 and 215 — using tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO), a recycled feedstock derived from end-of-life tyres. The move extends Orion’s circular product offering into Asia following the expansion of similar production capabilities in Europe.
The new grades are designed for use in tyre manufacturing and mechanical rubber goods, with ECORAX Circular 200 targeted primarily at tyre applications, while the 210 and 215 grades are suitable for both tyre and industrial rubber products. According to the company, the materials are intended to deliver the same performance and consistency as conventional carbon black products while incorporating recycled feedstocks.
Chief executive Corning Painter said the development strengthens Orion’s ability to supply circular carbon black globally and provides greater flexibility to support customers seeking sustainable alternatives without compromising product quality or performance.
The launch follows the company’s expansion of large-scale circular carbon black production at its facility in Jasło, Poland, where ECORAX Circular 200 and 210 are already being produced using tyre pyrolysis oil. Both products have received ISCC PLUS certification, providing verification of traceable and sustainably sourced raw materials throughout the production process.
Orion S.A. noted that its circular grades are designed as direct replacements for conventional ASTM carbon black products commonly used in tyre manufacturing. This allows manufacturers to increase the proportion of recycled materials within their products without requiring changes to existing production processes or performance specifications.
To support the programme, Orion has installed dedicated infrastructure at both its Chinese and Polish facilities, including separate storage and handling systems for tyre pyrolysis oil and conventional carbon black oil. The company says this enables precise control over feedstock blending ratios and improves measurement of recycled content while maintaining product consistency.
Pedro Riveros, senior vice-president of Global Rubber Carbon Black, said the dedicated infrastructure allows the company to manage TPO integration in a highly controlled manner, providing customers with greater transparency and supporting their own circular economy objectives.
The expansion forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen Orion’s position in the growing market for circular materials. The company has also invested in tyre pyrolysis oil production capacity in Europe and intends to continue pursuing opportunities that support increased availability of recycled feedstocks across its global manufacturing network.
As tyre manufacturers face mounting regulatory and consumer pressure to increase recycled content and reduce lifecycle emissions, circular carbon black is emerging as a key component in efforts to develop more sustainable tyre and rubber products while maintaining industrial performance standards.
