Orion Engineered Carbons is a leading global supplier of specialty and specialty carbon blacks, with a rich history dating back to 1862 when its predecessor, the German company, Continental AG, was founded. The company has undergone significant transformations over the years, with its carbon black business being acquired by Rhone Capital in 2011, and subsequently rebranded as Orion Engineered Carbons. Today, the company operates as a subsidiary of Orion Engineered Carbons S.A., a Luxembourg-based holding company. With a strong presence in over 100 countries, Orion Engineered Carbons has established itself as a prominent player in the carbon black industry, catering to a diverse range of customers across various sectors, including the tire and rubber industry, coatings, and plastics.
Key Points
- Orion Engineered Carbons is a global leader in the production of specialty and specialty carbon blacks.
- The company has a rich history spanning over 150 years, with its roots dating back to 1862.
- Orion Engineered Carbons operates in over 100 countries, serving a diverse range of customers across various industries.
- The company's product portfolio includes a wide range of specialty carbon blacks, tailored to meet the specific needs of its customers.
- Orion Engineered Carbons is committed to innovation, with a strong focus on research and development, and a dedication to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Specialty Carbon Blacks: A Key Product Offering

Specialty carbon blacks are a key product offering of Orion Engineered Carbons, designed to meet the specific needs of its customers across various industries. These high-performance materials are engineered to possess unique properties, such as high surface area, high structure, and tailored surface chemistry, making them ideal for a wide range of applications, including tires, rubber products, coatings, and plastics. The company’s specialty carbon blacks are produced using a variety of manufacturing processes, including the furnace process, which involves the combustion of hydrocarbons in a furnace, and the thermal process, which involves the thermal decomposition of hydrocarbons.
Production Processes: A Technical Overview
The production of specialty carbon blacks is a complex process, involving the careful control of various parameters, such as temperature, pressure, and residence time. The furnace process, which is the most commonly used method, involves the combustion of hydrocarbons in a furnace, resulting in the formation of carbon black particles. The thermal process, on the other hand, involves the thermal decomposition of hydrocarbons, resulting in the formation of carbon black particles with unique properties. Orion Engineered Carbons has developed a range of proprietary production processes, designed to optimize the quality and consistency of its specialty carbon blacks, while minimizing environmental impact.
Production Process | Temperature Range | Pressure Range |
---|---|---|
Furnace Process | 1200-1500°C | 1-5 bar |
Thermal Process | 800-1200°C | 1-10 bar |

Applications of Specialty Carbon Blacks

Specialty carbon blacks have a wide range of applications, across various industries, including the tire and rubber industry, coatings, and plastics. In the tire and rubber industry, specialty carbon blacks are used as reinforcing fillers, providing improved traction, handling, and durability. In coatings, specialty carbon blacks are used as pigments, providing improved color strength, hiding power, and UV resistance. In plastics, specialty carbon blacks are used as additives, providing improved conductivity, thermal stability, and UV resistance. Orion Engineered Carbons has developed a range of specialty carbon blacks, tailored to meet the specific needs of its customers, and has established itself as a trusted partner in the development of innovative products.
Technical Specifications: A Comparative Analysis
The technical specifications of specialty carbon blacks are critical in determining their performance in various applications. Orion Engineered Carbons has developed a range of specialty carbon blacks, with varying properties, such as surface area, structure, and surface chemistry. The company’s specialty carbon blacks are produced using a variety of manufacturing processes, and are subjected to rigorous testing and evaluation, to ensure that they meet the specific needs of its customers. A comparative analysis of the technical specifications of specialty carbon blacks, from different manufacturers, reveals that Orion Engineered Carbons’ products possess unique properties, making them ideal for a wide range of applications.
Property | Orion Engineered Carbons | Competitor 1 | Competitor 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Surface Area | 150-200 m²/g | 100-150 m²/g | 200-250 m²/g |
Structure | High | Medium | Low |
Surface Chemistry | Tailored | Standard | Customized |
What are specialty carbon blacks, and how are they used?
+Specialty carbon blacks are high-performance materials, engineered to possess unique properties, such as high surface area, high structure, and tailored surface chemistry. They are used in a wide range of applications, including tires, rubber products, coatings, and plastics.
What is the production process of specialty carbon blacks?
+The production of specialty carbon blacks involves the careful control of various parameters, such as temperature, pressure, and residence time. The furnace process, which is the most commonly used method, involves the combustion of hydrocarbons in a furnace, resulting in the formation of carbon black particles.
What are the technical specifications of specialty carbon blacks?
+The technical specifications of specialty carbon blacks include properties, such as surface area, structure, and surface chemistry. Orion Engineered Carbons has developed a range of specialty carbon blacks, with varying properties, tailored to meet the specific needs of its customers.
Orion Engineered Carbons is a leading global supplier of specialty and specialty carbon blacks, with a rich history and a strong presence in over 100 countries. The company’s product portfolio includes a wide range of specialty carbon blacks, tailored to meet the specific needs of its customers, and its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and environmental responsibility has established it as a trusted partner in the development of innovative products. With its deep understanding of the underlying chemistry and physics of specialty carbon blacks, and its ability to carefully control various process parameters, Orion Engineered Carbons is well-positioned to continue to meet the evolving needs of its customers, and to drive growth and innovation in the carbon black industry.