Global specialty chemicals company Orion Engineered Carbons released three new circular grade carbon blacks that showcase its achievements in sustainability – one for high jetness and two for tinting applications. Orion also recently launched PRINTEX® kappa 50 conductive carbon black.

“As a market leader, we continually drive innovations in carbon black, demonstrate our commitment to the coatings industry and deliver added value to our customers,” said Carlos Hernandez, Marketing Manager, Coatings & Printing Systems for the Americas at Orion. 

“Following our sustainability strategy, we help our customers participate in the circular economy through our bio-based and circular carbon black grades.” 

First Circular Carbon Blacks 

Designed for high-jetness applications, Orion’s first circular gas black for coatings systems, XPB 10045, is based on pyrolysis oil to support the transition to a circular economy.  Broadly compatible with all suitable coatings systems, it helps formulators create more sustainable coatings with comparable application properties to regular specialty carbon blacks.

For tinting applications, Orion’s first circular furnace blacks, XPB 10042 powder and XPB 10049 powder, are also based on pyrolysis oil and offer the same advantages as the high-jetness black. Application properties meet the same high requirements of currently used specialty carbon blacks.

Launching a New Grade 

Introduced in 2013 and previously designated XPB 545, PRINTEX kappa 50 meets or exceeds performance requirements for conductivity, dispersibility and cleanliness at lower concentrations than conventional conductive carbon blacks. It achieves the percolation threshold with low carbon black loading and good coloristic properties. 

To learn more about Orion’s sustainability performance and initiatives, visit Orion Engineered Carbons – Sustainability – Sustainability Roadmap (orioncarbons.com).