Orion S.A. has expanded its circular carbon black production capabilities to China, announcing the launch of manufacturing at its ISCC PLUS-certified facility in Qingdao
The Orion facility is now producing three grades of circular carbon black: ECORAX® Circular 200, 210 and 215, using tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO) as a feedstock. The products are aimed at tyre and mechanical rubber goods manufacturers seeking to increase the use of recycled materials in their products.
“This new capability in China marks a key step in offering circular carbon black grades globally,” said Orion CEO Corning Painter. “The product line extension gives us greater flexibility to meet growing demand for circular products, while maintaining the performance, consistency and quality our customers expect.”
ECORAX® Circular 200 is designed primarily for tyre applications, while the 210 and 215 grades can be used in both tyres and other rubber products. According to Orion, the materials offer a sustainable alternative to conventional carbon black while maintaining the performance characteristics required by customers.
The move builds on Orion’s expansion of circular carbon black production in Europe. In 2025, the company began large-scale production of ECORAX® Circular 200 and 210 at its facility in Jasło, Poland. Both grades are produced from tyre pyrolysis oil and are certified under the ISCC PLUS sustainability scheme.
The company said the products are designed as drop-in replacements for conventional ASTM grades N326 and N330, enabling tyre manufacturers to incorporate recycled and renewable feedstocks without changing product performance.
To support production, Orion has installed dedicated infrastructure at both its Polish and Chinese facilities, including separate storage and handling systems for tyre pyrolysis oil and conventional carbon black oil. The feedstocks are introduced independently into the production process, allowing precise control of the final blend.
Pedro Riveros, Senior Vice President of Global Rubber Carbon Black at Orion, said the technology provides greater flexibility and traceability in circular production. “Our technology allows us to modulate the blending ratio of TPO and carbon black oil, enabling us to have a more precise measurement of the TPO content. This is vital for quality consistency and useful for our customers to execute their circular commercial strategies.”
Riveros added that Orion continues to invest in tyre pyrolysis oil production and sourcing, particularly in Europe, as part of its wider strategy to support the global transition toward more circular tyre manufacturing.
