Degussa Corp., Parsippany, NJ, and Engineered Carbons Inc. announced the start of operations of Degussa Engineered Carbons, the two companies' 50-50 joint-venture business based in Parsippany, NJ. The business is a supplier of furnace, thermal and specialty black pigments produced at six U.S. plants previously operated by the two companies. Under the joint-venture agreement, Degussa assumes sales functions for the new business.