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News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 24, 2024
Orion S.A. to spotlight new plant and high-performance portfolio at 2024 Compounding World Expo North America
Company showcases acetylene-based PRINTEX® kappa 100 BEADS for conductive applications
HOUSTON – At the 2024 Compounding World Expo North America, global specialty chemicals company Orion S.A. (NYSE: OEC) will spotlight its new acetylene-based conductive additives plant. In addition, Orion (Booth C411) will showcase its premium, acetylene-based PRINTEX® kappa 100 BEADS, new circular carbon blacks and its new high-jet PRINTEX chroma 500 BEADS for engineered plastics that require the highest aesthetic quality. The 2024 Compounding World Expo is set for Nov. 13-14 in Cleveland.
Orion broke ground in April 2024 on a plant in La Porte, Texas, that will be the only U.S. facility producing acetylene-based conductive additives. When the site begins operation, expected in the second quarter of 2025, it will increase the availability of acetylene black for use in wire and cable, lithium-ion batteries and other applications.
“We will equip North American manufacturers with a consistent supply of domestically produced acetylene-based conductive additives,” said Jennifer S. Stroh, Ph.D., Orion vice president of sales and marketing Americas. “We look forward to customizing solutions for customers, developing new conductive products and continually innovating on their behalf.”
Orion’s premium, acetylene-based PRINTEX kappa 100 BEADS offers excellent dispersibility, exceptionally high cleanliness, purity and conductivity, making it ideal for use in high-voltage (HV) electric transmission cables. PRINTEX kappa 100 BEADS and other conductive additives produced at the La Porte plant are a more sustainable option, with only one-tenth of the carbon footprint of other commonly used materials.
Further demonstrating Orion’s commitment to sustainability, the company’s new circular grades are produced from end-of-life tire pyrolysis oil. Testing shows the same conductivity properties, high purity level, jetness and tinting strength as regular specialty carbon blacks.
Orion’s latest innovation is PRINTEX chroma 500 BEADS, the first in a series of new higher-value specialty grades for the polymers market. Designed for engineered plastics that require high-quality aesthetics, PRINTEX chroma 500 BEADS features an excellent balance of high jetness and dispersibility for a shiny, glossy finish.
For more information about the Orion portfolio for polymers, including PRINTEX kappa 100 BEADS and PRINTEX chroma 500 BEADS, contact the Orion sales team here.
About Orion S.A.
Orion S.A. (NYSE: OEC) is a leading global supplier of carbon black, a solid form of carbon produced as powder or pellets. The material is made to customers’ exacting specifications for tires, coatings, ink, batteries, plastics and numerous other specialty, high-performance applications. Carbon black is used to tint, colorize, provide reinforcement, conduct electricity, increase durability and add UV protection. Orion has four innovation centers and produces carbon black at 15 plants worldwide, offering the most diverse variety of production processes in the industry. The company’s corporate lineage goes back more than 160 years to Germany, where it operates the world’s longest-running carbon black plant. Orion is a leading innovator, applying a deep understanding of customers’ needs to deliver sustainable solutions. For more information, please visit orioncarbons.com.
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Team
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BIOGRAPHY
Jennifer S. Stroh, Ph.D.
Director of Sales and Marketing – Specialties Americas
Orion S.A.
Jennifer S. Stroh, Ph.D., is director of sales and marketing – Specialties Americas at Orion S.A. She leads all marketing and sales activities for specialty carbon black throughout the Americas. She is also responsible for the overall direction and profitability of the business line.
Prior to assuming her current role in September 2021, Stroh was strategic marketing manager – Specialties Americas. She focused on business strategy, development, innovation and building relationships with customers aligned with Orion’s emphasis on mobility, economic development, connected consumers and climate change. Previously, she was global key account manager and marketing manager Coatings Americas, responsible for addressing customer needs, product pricing and monitoring market trends for specialty carbon black applications in the Americas.
Before joining Orion, Stroh served as technical service manager for TPC Group and global technical service leader at Sekisui Specialty Chemicals.
Stroh is a member of the American Chemical Society, Materials Research Society, National Textile Center, Fiber Society and the Center for Advanced Engineering Fibers and Films. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry and doctorate in materials science and engineering at Clemson University in Clemson, S.C.
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BIOGRAPHY
Kevin Milks
Marketing Manager: Polymers, Battery, and Special Applications
Orion S.A.
Kevin Milks is marketing manager: polymers, battery, and special applications at Orion S.A. He develops business and marketing strategies, identifies business opportunities and implements substantial, sustainable and profitable growth plans for Orion carbon blacks and conductive additives in the polymer and battery markets as well as markets for special applications such as ceramics plus non-woven and refractory material. Milks was previously an Orion sales manager for specialty carbon black in the Midwest, where he developed and implemented new regional sales strategies and led selected global key accounts.
Prior to joining Orion, Milks was sales director at Nordmann US, Jacksonville, Fla., leading the company’s acrylate and methacrylate distribution business. Before Nordmann US, he served in a variety of sales and technical positions with BASF, Red Spot Paint and Dolphin Company. He brings to Orion nearly 20 years of experience in industrial coatings.
Milks earned MBA and Master of Project Management degrees at Keller Graduate School of Management at DeVry University and a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Bluffton University.
Literature
Contact
William Foreman
Director of Corporate Communications
and Government Affairs
Orion S.A.
Direct: +1 832-445-3305 • Mobile: +1 281-889-7833