Extrusion International 6-2024-USA

30 Extrusion International 6/2024 30 INDUSTRY NEWS New Plant and High-Performance Portfolio Spotlighted at 2024 Compounding World Expo North America At the 2024 Compounding World Expo North America at November 13-14 in Cleveland, global specialty chemicals company Orion spotlight- ed its new acetylene-based conduc- tive additives plant. In addition, Orion showcased its premium, acet- ylene-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 aes- thetic quality. Orion broke ground in April 2024 on a plant in La Porte, Texas, that will be the only U.S. facility produc- ing acetylene-based conductive ad- ditives. When the site begins opera- tion, expected in the second quarter of 2025, it will increase the availabil- ity 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 addi- tives,” said Jennifer S. Stroh, Ph.D., Orion vice president of sales and marketing Americas. “We look for- ward to customizing solutions for customers, developing new conduc- tive products and continually inno- vating on their behalf.” Orion’s premium, acetylene- based PRINTEX kappa 100 BEADS offers excellent dispersibility, excep- tionally high cleanliness, purity and conductivity, making it ideal for use in high-voltage (HV) electric trans- mission cables. PRINTEX kappa 100 BEADS and other conductive addi- tives produced at the La Porte plant are a more sustainable option, with only one-tenth of the carbon foot- print of other commonly used ma- terials. Further demonstrating Orion’s commitment to sustainability, the company’s new circular grades are produced from end-of-life tire py- rolysis oil. Testing shows the same conductivity properties, high purity level, jetness and tinting strength as regular specialty carbon blacks. Orion’s latest innovation is PRINT- EX 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 fea- tures an excellent balance of high jetness and dispersibility for a shiny, glossy finish. Orion S.A. orioncarbons.com In La Porte, Texas, Orion broke ground on a plant that will be the only facility in the U.S. producing acetylene-based conductive additives for lithium-ion batteries, wire & cable and other conductive applications. Above, a rendering of the completed facility (Courtesy of Orion) Orion conductive additives boost polymer performance in injection molding, wire-and- cable and other applications. High-jet PRINTEX chroma 500 BEADS imparts a luxury look to engineered plastics that require a high aesthetic quality (Courtesy of Orion)