We are excited to introduce Kevin Milks, Orion Engineered Carbons Marketing Manager North America: Polymers, Battery, and Special Applications, for our next interview.

Orion manufactures carbon black for elastomer and specialty applications. The biggest end uses for carbon black are automotive and truck tires, mechanical rubber goods, and thermoplastics.

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What do you think sets your company apart from your competitors?

Orion sets a high standard in the industry for sustainable carbon solutions, supports the product line with a technically savvy and ethical workforce, and offers a high-quality, broad specialty product line for thermoplastics and other specialty applications.

 

Are there any new technology developments that your company is working on at the moment?

We are developing sustainable carbon black solutions for all customers and working to support rapid growth in storage battery, and EV applications.

 

What are the biggest challenges facing the industry today and how can this be overcome?

Oil and natural gas are the two biggest variable costs in carbon black production, so an intensive effort is underway to secure a broad portfolio of oil feed stock options and to reduce reliance on natural gas.

 

How do you see the sector developing in the next five to ten years?

For carbon blacks in polymer we see >6 percent CARG drive by wire and cable infrastructure update, integration of renewable energy into North American power grids, and demand for conductive and color and appearance carbon blacks for electric and autonomous vehicles.

 

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s show?

As always at Compounding World, the opportunity to meet customers, attend the sessions, and walk the show floor, is something my colleagues and I value highly.

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Orion Engineered Carbons will be exhibiting at the Compounding World Expo in Cleveland, OH, USA.