HOUSTON—Carbon black maker Orion Engineered Carbons S.A. is increasing prices for acetylene black by 20 percent.
"Following the acquisition of its acetylene black plant in France, the company adjusted the facility's strategic focus, requiring new investments to better serve the growing market demand for acetylene black used in lithium-ion battery production," the company said in a statement. "In addition to these strategic investments, the company has also been confronted with rising costs for packaging, transportation and environmental obligations."
The price increases will begin March 1 or whenever specific contracts allow, Orion said.
Orion, which operates 14 production sites around the world, makes what the company calls a broad range of carbon blacks, including high-performance specialty gas blacks, acetylene blacks, furnace blacks, lamp blacks and thermal blacks. The company also produces other carbon blacks that tint, colorize and enhance the performance of rubber goods such as automotive belts and hoses, tires, adhesives, sealants, polymers, plastics, paints and coatings, inks and toners and textile fibers.
