Orion S.A. and Contec S.A. Forge Long-Term Supply Agreement to Advance Circular Economy in Tire and Rubber Industries
In a groundbreaking move that underscores the growing importance of sustainability in the global chemical and Rubber industries, Orion S.A., a leading specialty chemicals company, has announced a long-term supply agreement with Contec S.A., a Warsaw, Poland-based innovator in tire pyrolysis technology. This strategic partnership will enable Orion to secure a steady supply of tire pyrolysis oil (TPO) from Contec, which will be used to produce circular carbon black for customers in the tire and rubber goods sectors. The collaboration not only strengthens Orion’s position as a pioneer in sustainable manufacturing but also highlights the increasing demand for environmentally friendly solutions across industries.
A Step Toward a Circular Economy
The agreement marks a significant milestone in Orion’s ongoing efforts to diversify its sources of TPO, a critical feedstock for producing circular carbon black. By leveraging ConPyro® TPO supplied by Contec, Orion is poised to scale up production of high-quality, circular-grade carbon black to meet the rising demand from some of the world’s largest tire and rubber goods manufacturers. This development aligns with Orion’s broader mission to accelerate the transition to a circular economy—a system aimed at minimizing waste, conserving resources, and reducing environmental impact.
“This is yet another way that Orion is accelerating the transition to a circular economy,” said Corning Painter, CEO of Orion S.A. “With the ConPyro® TPO supplied by Contec, we will be able to make large-scale volumes of circular grades of carbon black that will supply growing demand from the world’s leading tire and rubber goods producers.”
The circular economy model represents a paradigm shift from traditional linear economic systems, where raw materials are extracted, used, and discarded. Instead, it emphasizes recycling, reusing, and repurposing materials to create a closed-loop system. In the context of the tire and rubber industries, this means transforming end-of-life tires into valuable resources rather than allowing them to accumulate in landfills or incinerators.
The Science Behind Tire Pyrolysis Oil
At the heart of this innovative partnership lies tire pyrolysis oil (TPO), a key component in the production of circular carbon black. Pyrolysis is a thermal decomposition process that involves heating discarded tires in the absence of oxygen to break them down into their constituent parts. This process yields several valuable outputs, including TPO, which serves as a renewable feedstock for manufacturing carbon black.
Carbon black, a fine powder made primarily of elemental carbon, is a critical ingredient in the production of tires, rubber goods, and other industrial products. Traditionally, carbon black has been produced using fossil fuels such as oil or natural gas. However, TPO-based manufacturing offers a more sustainable alternative by utilizing recycled materials derived from end-of-life tires. This approach not only reduces reliance on virgin fossil fuels but also helps address the growing problem of tire waste.
Orion stands out as the only company that has successfully produced circular carbon black using 100% TPO as a feedstock. Moreover, the company has demonstrated that its circular carbon black products can seamlessly replace conventional virgin carbon black in a wide range of applications. This achievement positions Orion as a trailblazer in the field of sustainable materials and sets a new standard for the industry.
A Shared Commitment to Sustainability
For Contec S.A., the partnership with Orion represents an opportunity to further its own sustainability goals while contributing to the broader adoption of circular economy principles. As a company dedicated to developing advanced pyrolysis technologies, Contec has long been committed to finding innovative ways to recycle end-of-life tires and reduce the environmental footprint of the rubber industry.
“At Contec, sustainability is one of our core values,” said Krzysztof Wróblewski, CEO of Contec S.A. “This partnership is a clear confirmation to the market that the industry is continuously evolving, and the circular economy is no longer just a vision for the future—thanks to collaboration with Orion, it is becoming a tangible reality today.”
By supplying high-quality TPO to Orion, Contec is playing a pivotal role in enabling the production of circular carbon black at an industrial scale. This collaboration exemplifies how partnerships between forward-thinking companies can drive meaningful progress toward sustainability and resource efficiency.
Addressing Global Challenges Through Innovation
The partnership between Orion and Contec comes at a time when the global community is increasingly focused on addressing pressing environmental challenges, including climate change, resource depletion, and waste management. The tire industry, in particular, faces significant scrutiny due to its reliance on non-renewable resources and the environmental impact of tire disposal.
Every year, millions of tires reach the end of their useful life, creating a massive waste stream that poses environmental risks if not managed properly. Traditional disposal methods, such as landfilling or incineration, contribute to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. By contrast, pyrolysis offers a promising solution by converting discarded tires into valuable resources like TPO, thereby reducing waste and promoting resource recovery.
The ability to produce circular carbon black from TPO not only addresses these challenges but also supports the tire industry’s efforts to meet stringent sustainability targets. Many leading tire manufacturers are actively seeking ways to incorporate recycled materials into their products and reduce their carbon footprint. Orion’s circular carbon black provides a viable solution that aligns with these objectives while maintaining the performance and quality standards required by the industry.
Scaling Up for Impact
One of the most exciting aspects of the Orion-Contec partnership is its potential to scale up production and make a meaningful impact on a global scale. With access to a reliable supply of TPO from Contec, Orion is well-positioned to expand its capacity to produce circular carbon black and meet the growing demand from customers worldwide.
This scalability is crucial for driving widespread adoption of circular carbon black and encouraging other companies to embrace sustainable practices. As more manufacturers recognize the benefits of using recycled materials, the market for circular products is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. By staying ahead of this trend, Orion and Contec are not only positioning themselves as leaders in the industry but also paving the way for a more sustainable future.
