KINGWOOD, Texas—Orion Engineered Carbons L.L.C. and HB Chemical Corp. have signed a letter of intent to establish HB Chemical as a distributor for Orion rubber carbon black products in North America.
According to an Orion announcement, the companies expect to finalize the arrangement by the end of the year.
Headquartered in Twinsburg, Ohio, HB Chemical has warehouses throughout the U.S. and in Toronto.
It will distribute the full line of Orion carbon blacks for the rubber market, including new Ecorax grades for truck tire carcass compounds and Sable products for manufactured rubber goods.
“HB Chemical has an exceptional reputation in the US rubber market,” said Jose Briones, Orion marketing manager, Rubber.
“It is recognized in the industry for its knowledge of rubber technology and science, and understanding of the market.”
In addition, Briones said, HB Chemical sells many other chemicals and additives products that complement carbon black.
“Partnering with Orion allows us to offer customers a North American-made, high quality product rather than Asian material,” HB Chemical President Jeff Rand.
Rand added that Orion carbon blacks will be flagship items for the distributorship.