Extrusion International 4-2023-USA

34 Extrusion International 4/2023 34 INDUSTRY NEWS Premium Acetylene Black and Conductive Additives Portfolio at IWCS 2023 Cable & Connectivity Industry Forum At the IWCS 2023 Cable & Connectivity Industry Fo- rum, global specialty chemicals company Orion is show- casing its new premium PRINTEX ® kappa 100 BEADS for exceptionally high cleanliness, purity and conduc- tivity in high-voltage (HV) electric transmission cables. Orion (Booth #108) also is highlighting its compre- hensive portfolio of high-performance conductive ad- ditives, which extend cable service life by imparting de- sired conductivities, superior surface smoothness and UV protection to medium-voltage (MV) distribution and HV cables. The IWCS 2023 Cable & Connectivity In- dustry Forum will take place September 17–20, 2023, in Orlando. “PRINTEX kappa 100 acetylene conductive additive offers excellent dispersibility, extremely high cleanli- ness and low sulfur impurities,” said Kevin Milks, Orion marketing manager for polymers. “As a result, it im- parts best-in-class high conductivity and excellent sur- face smoothness to conductor and insulation shields, making it ideal for use in HV cables.” In addition to showcasing the PRINTEX kappa 100 product, Orion is highlighting its comprehensive portfolio of conductive additives. Marketed under the PRINTEX, HIBLACK ® and AROSPERSE® brand names, these grades impart target conductivity to minimize dielectric stress between the conductor and cable in- sulation. They improve cable service life by imparting conductivity characteristics to compounds for low-, medium- and high-voltage cables, and by delivering UV protection for cable jacketing. To promote supply chain resilience and increase acet- ylene black availability, Orion will build the only U.S. plant producing acetylene-based conductive additives. Planned for LaPorte, Texas, the facility is expected to begin operation during the first half of 2025. “Our new acetylene-based conductive additives plant will provide the North American wire-and-cable industry a consistent, domestically produced and avail- able supply of acetylene-based conductive additives,” said Jennifer S. Stroh, Ph.D., Orion director of special- ties sales and marketing Americas. “We look forward to delivering custom solutions for all wire-and-cable applications, and in particular applying the attributes of PRINTEX kappa 100 BEADS to the stringent require- ments of high-voltage applications.” Orion S.A. www. orioncarbons.com Orion high-performance conductive additives extend cable service life by imparting desired conductivities, superior surface smoothness and UV protection to medium- and high-voltage cables. Courtesy of Orion S.A. R&D Provisions in House Ways and Means Growth Package, Urges Passage The Plastics Industry Associa- tion (PLASTICS) applauds Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) for introducing H.R. 3938, the Build It in America Act, as part of the House Ways and Means growth package and urges the inclusion and passage of key provisions that will positively impact the plastics industry. H.R. 3938 includes a four-year delay in R&D amortization, making it easier for plastics manufacturers to create jobs while encouraging innovation by expanding research and development (R&D) invest- ments. The legislation also pro- motes manufacturing jobs along the entire plastics value chain by extending 100 percent bonus de- preciation for the purchase of new equipment. “The provisions, included in the Build It in America Act, are impor- tant steps towards increasing R&D investments and manufacturing capacity to help the plastics indus- try create more jobs, innovate, and engineer new ways to make plastic even more sustainable,” said Matt Seaholm, PLASTICS’ President and CEO. “Now it’s time for Congress to step up, set aside partisan differenc- es and protect the American worker and American manufacturing by in- cluding these provisions, which will have a major impact on our industry and economy.” The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) www.plasticsindustry.org