Circular Carbon Black

Orion has been recognized as a Key Innovator by the European Commission’s Innovation Radar for its groundbreaking achievement in producing circular carbon black entirely from pyrolysis oil sourced from end-of-life tires.

Orion S.A., a global specialist chemicals company, has been recognized as a ‘Key Innovator’ by the European Commission’s Innovation Radar website. The website identifies high-potential innovators who have done EU-funded research. Orion was the first company to produce circular carbon black from 100 percent pyrolysis oil from end-of-life tyres.

Orion collaborated on the EU-funded BlackCycle project (Horizon 2020 program under grant agreement No: 869625), creating the circular carbon black. The material is ready for the market as a substitute for carbon black derived from fossil fuels. The Michelin-led, award-winning BlackCycle effort aimed to develop innovative methods for creating new tyres from used tyres. It involved five research and technology organizations as well as seven industry partners.

Last year, Orion also started its ‘Clean Carbon Black Research and Development Project’, which was made possible by EUR 6.4 million in funding from the European Union and the German Government. The project aims to create a climate-neutral method for making carbon black from alternative carbon sources.

Corning Painter, CEO, Orion, said, “Driving circularity is part of Orion’s long-term strategy. Our customers increasingly rely on us to provide solutions to meet the growing demand for circular products. We are scaling up our capabilities to process tyre pyrolysis oil and have other innovations in our sustainability pipeline focused on cost-effective solutions.”

Natalia Scherbakoff, CTO of Orion, said, “Although the BlackCycle project has concluded, our innovation work continues with other initiatives using circular carbon black that involve reducing our carbon footprint, improving yield and throughput, and potentially lowering material costs.”