Orion Engineered Carbons Shapes Future of Lithium-Ion Battery Production with European Commission


Orion Engineered Carbons collaborates with the HiQ-CARB consortium to develop sustainable carbon additives for lithium-ion batteries, aiming to enhance performance and reduce environmental impact.

Orion Engineered Carbons S.A. (NYSE: OEC) is actively contributing to the future of lithium-ion battery production through its collaboration with the European Commission’s HiQ-CARB consortium. This partnership aims to develop sustainable, high-performance carbon additives, such as acetylene black and carbon nanotubes, to enhance battery efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.

OEC, a leading global supplier of specialty and high-performance carbon black, has joined the HiQ-CARB consortium to provide the lithium-ion battery industry with sustainable and high-performance carbon additives.

Seven leading European industry players, research institutes, and universities are collaborating on the European Union-funded HiQ-CARB project to design and scale up innovative battery materials – including Orion’s high-purity, conductive acetylene black – with very low carbon footprints, in response to rapidly expanding market demands.

The European Commission’s overarching mission is to combat climate change by achieving carbon dioxide (CO2)neutrality. Reaching this target by 2050 requires dedicated innovation and transition across various industries, with energy and mobility expected to advance more rapidly than others.

“At Orion, we recognize the requirements for advanced materials and are determined to contribute to a sustainable future,” said Sandra Niewiem, PhD, senior vice president, Global Specialty Carbon Black and EMEA Region, Orion Engineered Carbons. “We are pleased to actively contribute to further development of sustainable, high-performing lithium-ion batteries, as our acetylene black has the lowest carbon footprint on the market.”

Lithium-ion batteries utilize cutting-edge technologies and are employed in various applications, including e-mobility (the electrification of vehicles), renewable energy storage, and portable electronic devices, among others, where renewable energy supplies are crucial. The broad application spectrum creates a significant market for battery cells that meet demanding energy and power density requirements, as well as lifecycle requirements. High-performance carbon blacks serve as conductive additives, essential for meeting these specifications.

Orion acetylene black offers conductive functionalities that improve lithium-ion battery performance. The acetylene black aggregates form a three-dimensional network, lowering the internal resistance of battery cells by improving conductivity. This ensures that charge and discharge processes are performed effectively, minimizing Ohmic losses. Its high intrinsic electronic conductivity and purity compared to other carbon blacks lead to significantly higher power densities and longer battery lifecycles. In addition, the acetylene black functional structure produces synergistic benefits with different additives, such as carbon nanotubes, in lithium-ion battery systems.

Other HiQ-CARB project consortium participants include leading materials producer Arkema, cell producer Customcells, Fraunhofer ISC, Aalto University in Finland, and the University of Bordeaux.

About Orion Engineered Carbons Orion Engineered Carbons (NYSE: OEC) is a global supplier of carbon black products including high-performance specialty gas blacks, acetylene blacks, furnace blacks, lamp blacks, thermal blacks, and other carbon blacks that tint, colorize and enhance the performance of polymers, plastics, paints and coatings, inks and toners, textile fibers, adhesives and sealants, batteries, tires, and mechanical rubber goods, such as automotive belts and hoses. The company has over 125 years of history providing customized solutions from a network of 14 global production sites and is dedicated to responsible business practices that emphasize reliability, innovation, and sustainability. For more information, please visit orioncarbons.com.

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