Company showcases acetylene-based PRINTEX® kappa 100 BEADS for conductive applications

At the 2024 Compounding World Expo North America, global specialty chemicals company Orion S.A. (NYSE: OEC) will spotlight its new acetylene-based conductive additives plant. In addition, Orion (Booth C411) will showcase its premium, acetylene-based PRINTEX kappa 100 BEADS, new circular carbon blacks and its new high-jet PRINTEX® chroma 500 BEADS for engineered plastics that require the highest aesthetic quality. The 2024 Compounding World Expo is set for Nov. 13-14 in Cleveland.

Orion broke ground in April 2024 on a plant in La Porte, Texas, that will be the only U.S. facility producing acetylene-based conductive additives. When the site begins operation, expected in the second quarter of 2025, it will increase the availability of acetylene black for use in wire and cable, lithium-ion batteries and other applications.

“We will equip North American manufacturers with a consistent supply of domestically produced acetylene-based conductive additives,” said Jennifer S. Stroh, Ph.D., Orion vice president of sales and marketing Americas. “We look forward to customizing solutions for customers, developing new conductive products and continually innovating on their behalf.”

Orion’s premium, acetylene-based PRINTEX kappa 100 BEADS offers excellent dispersibility, exceptionally high cleanliness, purity and conductivity, making it ideal for use in high-voltage (HV) electric transmission cables. PRINTEX kappa 100 BEADS and other conductive additives produced at the La Porte plant are a more sustainable option, with only one-tenth of the carbon footprint of other commonly used materials.

Further demonstrating Orion’s commitment to sustainability, the company’s new circular grades are produced from end-of-life tire pyrolysis oil. Testing shows the same conductivity properties, high purity level, jetness and tinting strength as regular specialty carbon blacks.

Orion’s latest innovation is PRINTEX chroma 500 BEADS, the first in a series of new higher-value specialty grades for the polymers market. Designed for engineered plastics that require high-quality aesthetics, PRINTEX chroma 500 BEADS features an excellent balance of high jetness and dispersibility for a shiny, glossy finish.

For more information about the Orion portfolio for polymers, including PRINTEX kappa 100 BEADS and PRINTEX chroma 500 BEADS, contact the Orion sales team here.

About Orion S.A. Orion S.A. (NYSE: OEC) is a leading global supplier of carbon black, a solid form of carbon produced as powder or pellets. The material is made to customers’ exacting specifications for tires, coatings, ink, batteries, plastics and numerous other specialty, high-performance applications. Carbon black is used to tint, colorize, provide reinforcement, conduct electricity, increase durability and add UV protection. Orion has four innovation centers and produces carbon black at 15 plants worldwide, offering the most diverse variety of production processes in the industry. The company’s corporate lineage goes back more than 160 years to Germany, where it operates the world’s longest-running carbon black plant. Orion is a leading innovator, applying a deep understanding of customers’ needs to deliver sustainable solutions. For more information, please visit orioncarbons.com.

Orion will be at the Compounding World Expo North America. Visit them at booth C411.