Orion S.A., the specialty chemicals company, has marked a significant expansion in its global operations with the inauguration of its second manufacturing facility in China, located in the city of Huaibei, Anhui province. This new plant, representing the company's first greenfield project in the region, is set to bolster the supply of carbon black in Asia's rapidly growing market.
The Huaibei facility, equipped with two production lines, boasts an impressive annual capacity of 70 kilotons. It is designed to produce carbon black for a wide array of applications, including coatings, printing inks, rubber, polymers, fiber, and rubber. This strategic move not only enhances Orion's presence in the Asian market but also allows for a reallocation of its production capabilities in the United States and Europe.
Corning Painter, CEO of Orion S.A., expressed his enthusiasm about the new venture: “The Huaibei facility is a huge milestone for Orion. The state-of-the-art plant enables us to better support our Chinese customers with products that are made in China,” he said. “Now we can reallocate production lines in the U.S. and Europe so that we can increase supply to customers in those markets.”
This expansion complements Orion's existing plant in Qingdao, Shandong province, which has been operational since 1994. The Qingdao facility focuses on producing carbon black grades for tires, mechanical rubber goods, and specialty applications.
The journey to the completion of the Huaibei plant was not without its challenges, particularly due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Painter lauded the resilience and dedication of the project team: “Despite the constant disruption during the worst periods of the pandemic, our employees, contractors, and leadership team kept the project on track,” he remarked. “As always, we put the safety, health, and the welfare of our people first, providing nutritious meals, warm beds, testing, and medical care. But still, it was the heroic dedication of our team that delivered this project under extremely trying circumstances.”
Orion S.A., with a corporate history spanning over 160 years, is a leading global supplier of carbon black. This material, essential in various industries, is used for tinting, coloring, reinforcement, conductivity, durability enhancement, and UV protection. The company operates 15 plants worldwide and prides itself on offering a diverse range of production processes. Orion's commitment to innovation and sustainability is evident in its operations and product development strategies.
The opening of the Huaibei plant not only signifies Orion's growing influence in the global market but also underscores the company's ability to navigate and overcome the challenges posed by the global pandemic, setting a precedent for resilience and innovation in the industry.
For more information about Orion S.A. and its operations, visit orioncarbons.com
