Birla certification another stride toward more sustainable

MUMBAI, India—Birla Carbon has received International Sustainability and Carbon Certification for a facility in Italy, putting the global producer of carbon black in a select group of companies for sustainable material production.

The Italian manufacturing plant received the certification May 15, and it now has the ability to manufacture circular materials, including Continua 8000 (considered a "sustainable carbonaceous material").

ISCC Plus is issued for the promotion of a circular economy in a number of industries. Biomass waste and residues, non-biological renewables and recycled carbon materials can be certified under this threshold.

Birla Carbon maintains a stated goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

"With an increase in interest and demand from customers for sustainable products, this first ISCC Plus certification for Birla Carbon gives us an opportunity to support our customers better and more particularly through our Continua product line," Santrupt Misra, group director for chemicals at Birla Carbon, said in a statement. "Aditya Birla Group's focus on sustainability and circularity and its work toward a net zero carbon emissions world is made real through Birla Carbon's dedication in providing advanced products."

Birla Carbon CEO John Loudermilk said the certification "supports the principles of environmentally, economically and socially sustainable production."

"It is our intention to adopt this important certification at all our manufacturing locations in the near future," Loudermilk said. "Sustainability has always been core to who we are as a leader in our industry. Our sustainability efforts already led us to achieve the platinum rating by EcoVadis for sustainable business practices, and now, with the ISCC Plus certification, we are well positioned to supply recognized sustainable materials to our customers globally."

Birla Carbon provides carbon black for paints and coatings, inks and toners, plastics, adhesives, sealants, textile fibers, mechanical rubber goods and tires.

The company maintains 16 manufacturing facilities across 12 countries. The company's North American headquarters are in Marietta, Ga.