Press Release

For Immediate Release

Orion Introduces New Conductive Carbon Black for Wire and Cable Applications
At 2021 Compounding World Expo North America

HOUSTON (Oct. 26, 2021) – Orion Engineered Carbons S.A. (NYSE: OEC), a leading global supplier of specialty and high-performance carbon black, is introducing a new carbon black designed specifically for wire and cable insulation and strand shield applications.

At Compounding World Expo North America, Orion (Booth #A209) is also highlighting PRINTEX® kappa 70 beads, a conductive carbon black for injection-molded plastics as well as wire and cable applications. The expo takes place Nov. 3 and Nov. 4 in Cleveland, Ohio.

 “To qualify for wire and cable insulation and strand shield applications, carbon black must disperse readily in polyethylene and various elastomers, show very low levels of ionic contamination, and impart target conductivity to minimize dielectric stress between the conductor and cable insulation,” said Sandra Niewiem, Ph.D., senior vice president, Global Specialty Carbon Black and EMEA Region, at Orion. “Our new wire and cable carbon black and PRINTEX kappa 70 beads have met these requirements, and we are sampling both grades among cable makers and compounders.”

 The new wire and cable carbon black is specifically designed for semi-conductive compounds in medium voltage cables. It is suitable for the conductor shield or insulation shield, depending on the specific voltage and application, while PRINTEX kappa 70 is suitable for the conductor shield.

In injection-molded parts, the universally conductive PRINTEX kappa 70 beads are specifically geared for compounds and end uses requiring conductivity and anti-static properties. They excel in almost all conductive processes and products.

PRINTEX kappa 70 beads are suitable in polypropylene, polycarbonate and its alloys, a broad range of engineering polymers, polyolefins, styrenics, polyvinyl chloride and other significant polymer types. They also impart excellent dispersion quality, compound melt flow and mechanical strength. This conductive black enables thermoplastic compounders to attain target conductivities at low carbon black concentrations, and it allows converters to realize an excellent balance of conductivity and mechanical properties for their applications.

Orion has a long-term sustainability strategy based on three key trends, one of which is electrification.    In keeping with this strategy, the company welcomes the opportunity to provide carbon black for additional shielding applications in the country’s growing fleet of electric cars.

The other key trends are decarbonization (reducing carbon dioxide emissions) and circularity (the circular economy).  Responding to these trends, Orion is committed to sustainable growth with a minimal environmental footprint.   The company expects to shift its product portfolio toward carbon black made from renewable materials or oil derived from end-of-life tires.  Orion  is also focusing on carbon black, such as conductive black, that supports the transition to a low carbon economy.