Orion Produces Circular Carbon Black in Qingdao
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 04 2026
0mins
Orion announced it is producing circular carbon black at its ISCC PLUS-certified plant in the eastern coastal city of Qingdao, China. The facility is making three grades - ECORAX Circular 200, 210 and 215 - from tire pyrolysis oil. ECORAX 200 is a hard black suitable for tires, while the 210 and 215 grades can be used for tires and mechanical rubber goods. "This new capability in China marks a key step in offering circular carbon black grades globally," Orion CEO Corning Painter said. "The product line extension gives us greater flexibility to meet growing demand for circular products, while maintaining the performance, consistency and quality our customers expect."
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Analyst Views on OEC
Wall Street analysts forecast OEC stock price to rise
4 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
1 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 6.350
Low
5.00
Averages
6.63
High
10.00
Current: 6.350
Low
5.00
Averages
6.63
High
10.00
About OEC
Orion Engineered Carbons S.A. is a producer of carbon black. The Company operates through two segments: Specialty Carbon Black and Rubber Carbon Black. The Specialty Carbon Black segment is engaged in the production of specialty carbon black. The Rubber Carbon Black segment is involved in the production of rubber carbon black. As of December 31, 2016, it operated a diversified carbon black business with over 280 specialty carbon black grades and approximately 80 rubber carbon black grades. Carbon black is used as a pigment and as a performance additive in coatings, polymers, printing and special applications (specialty carbon black), and in the reinforcement of rubber in tires and mechanical rubber goods (rubber carbon black). As of December 31, 2016, it operated a global platform of 13 production facilities in Europe, North and South America, Asia and South Africa and three sales companies, as well as one jointly-owned production plant in Germany.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Orion Launches Circular Carbon Black Production in China
- New Product Line Launch: Orion S.A. has commenced production of three grades of circular carbon black, namely ECORAX®Circular 200, 210, and 215, at its ISCC PLUS-certified plant in Qingdao, China, utilizing tire pyrolysis oil (TPO) to meet the growing global demand for sustainable products.
- Market Demand Response: The new ECORAX®200 grade is suitable for tires, while grades 210 and 215 can be used for tires and mechanical rubber goods (MRG), enhancing the company's competitiveness in the global market by providing high performance and consistency.
- Infrastructure Upgrade: Both the Qingdao and Jasło plants in Poland are equipped with specially designed infrastructure to separately store and process TPO and carbon black oil, ensuring quality consistency in the production process and supporting customers' circular commercial strategies.
- Global Strategy Expansion: Orion has significantly scaled up its circular capabilities in Europe and plans to continue investing in TPO production at multiple sites, further solidifying its leadership position in the global market and promoting the use of sustainable materials.
See More
Orion S.A. Releases 2025 Sustainability Report Highlighting Innovations
- Technology Upgrade: Orion's technology upgrade in Sweden recovers heat from production processes to supply a city, showcasing the company's innovative capabilities in advancing sustainability and reinforcing its leadership in the global specialty chemicals market.
- Waste Reduction: Operational improvements in South Africa led to a 30% reduction in waste, enhancing production efficiency while establishing a strong environmental image that boosts customer trust and market competitiveness.
- Safety Record: Orion achieved a safety record nine times better than the chemical industry average across its global plants, demonstrating the company's commitment to employee safety and health, which is crucial for attracting investment and enhancing brand reputation.
- Market Opportunities: The company's growth prospects in battery energy storage systems, high-voltage cables, and lithium-ion batteries indicate a strategic positioning in renewable energy and electrification infrastructure, expected to drive future revenue growth.
See More
Orion S.A. to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences
- Investor Conference Schedule: Orion S.A. will participate in upcoming investor conferences, including the Mizuho Small & Mid-Cap Chemicals Conference in New York on June 2 and the Wells Fargo 16th Industrials & Materials Conference in Chicago on June 11, showcasing its active engagement and transparency in the industry.
- Executive Attendance: CFO Jon Puckett and VP of Investor Relations Chris Kapsch will attend the Mizuho event, while CEO Corning Painter will also participate in the Wells Fargo conference, indicating the company's commitment to investor communication at the highest levels.
- Industry Leadership: Orion S.A. is a leading global supplier of carbon black, operating 15 production plants and 4 innovation centers, capable of delivering a diverse range of high-performance applications tailored to customer specifications, thereby reinforcing its competitive edge in the market.
- Sustainability Commitment: The company is dedicated to providing sustainable solutions through a deep understanding of customer needs, demonstrating its leadership in innovation and environmental responsibility, aligning with the current market demand for sustainable products.
See More
Orion S.A. Q1 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Performance Exceeds Expectations: Orion S.A. reported an adjusted EBITDA of $46 million for Q1, surpassing internal expectations, primarily driven by a significant demand improvement in March, which is expected to enhance the company's competitiveness in the Southeast Asian market.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: The company raised its full-year EBITDA guidance by $10 million to a range of $170 million to $210 million, reflecting confidence in future market demand, although it anticipates slight weakening in market conditions in the second half of the year.
- Cash Flow Pressure: The first quarter saw a free cash outflow of $48 million, largely due to a $54 million use of working capital, with expectations of full-year free cash outflow between $25 million and $50 million, indicating the impact of elevated oil prices on cash flow.
- Industry Challenges: While the Specialty segment performed well, the Rubber segment's adjusted EBITDA declined sharply by 53% year-over-year to $19 million, reflecting the impact of pricing agreements and adverse regional mix, necessitating close monitoring of future pricing and demand stability.
See More
Orion Reports Q1 Earnings with Mixed Results
- Earnings Performance: Orion's Q1 non-GAAP EPS of -$0.11 missed expectations by $0.20, indicating challenges in profitability, while revenue of $459.9 million, down 3.7% year-over-year, exceeded market expectations by $25.59 million, reflecting sales resilience.
- Net Loss Situation: The company reported a net loss of $10 million for the quarter, although adjusted EBITDA reached $46 million, suggesting some success in cost control and operational optimization, yet ongoing losses raise concerns about future financial health.
- Cash Flow Liquidity: With the first quarter typically seeing the highest working capital utilization, Orion experienced an operating cash use of $12 million and a free cash outflow of $48 million, which may exert pressure on the company's liquidity and necessitate measures to improve cash flow.
- Cost Response Strategy: In response to the surge in energy prices in March, Orion acted swiftly by accelerating cost actions and optimizing working capital while implementing targeted price increases and surcharges to protect margins in non-formula pass-through business, demonstrating the company's agility in adversity.
See More
Orion S.A. Reports Q1 2026 Financial Results with Adjusted EBITDA of $46 Million
- Sales Decline: Orion S.A. reported Q1 net sales of $460 million, a 4% year-over-year decrease primarily due to an 11% price reduction from lower oil prices and a 1% adverse mix, although volumes increased by 2% and benefited from a 6% favorable foreign exchange impact.
- Net Loss: The company recorded a net loss of $10 million for the quarter, with Adjusted EBITDA at $46 million, indicating some profitability despite market challenges, reflecting efforts in cost control and cash flow management.
- Inventory Management Optimization: By accelerating cost actions and optimizing working capital, Orion effectively responded to the surge in energy prices in March, despite operating cash use of $12 million and free cash outflow of $48 million in Q1, highlighting liquidity management pressures.
- Market Demand Recovery: Demand for Orion's specialty business significantly picked up towards the end of Q1, particularly in March, indicating an increased customer preference for local supply, which may enhance performance through sustained market demand improvements.
See More
Orion Launches Circular Carbon Black Production in China
- New Product Line Launch: Orion S.A. has commenced production of three grades of circular carbon black, namely ECORAX®Circular 200, 210, and 215, at its ISCC PLUS-certified plant in Qingdao, China, utilizing tire pyrolysis oil (TPO) to meet the growing global demand for sustainable products.
- Market Demand Response: The new ECORAX®200 grade is suitable for tires, while grades 210 and 215 can be used for tires and mechanical rubber goods (MRG), enhancing the company's competitiveness in the global market by providing high performance and consistency.
- Infrastructure Upgrade: Both the Qingdao and Jasło plants in Poland are equipped with specially designed infrastructure to separately store and process TPO and carbon black oil, ensuring quality consistency in the production process and supporting customers' circular commercial strategies.
- Global Strategy Expansion: Orion has significantly scaled up its circular capabilities in Europe and plans to continue investing in TPO production at multiple sites, further solidifying its leadership position in the global market and promoting the use of sustainable materials.
See More
Orion S.A. Releases 2025 Sustainability Report Highlighting Innovations
- Technology Upgrade: Orion's technology upgrade in Sweden recovers heat from production processes to supply a city, showcasing the company's innovative capabilities in advancing sustainability and reinforcing its leadership in the global specialty chemicals market.
- Waste Reduction: Operational improvements in South Africa led to a 30% reduction in waste, enhancing production efficiency while establishing a strong environmental image that boosts customer trust and market competitiveness.
- Safety Record: Orion achieved a safety record nine times better than the chemical industry average across its global plants, demonstrating the company's commitment to employee safety and health, which is crucial for attracting investment and enhancing brand reputation.
- Market Opportunities: The company's growth prospects in battery energy storage systems, high-voltage cables, and lithium-ion batteries indicate a strategic positioning in renewable energy and electrification infrastructure, expected to drive future revenue growth.
See More
Orion S.A. to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences
- Investor Conference Schedule: Orion S.A. will participate in upcoming investor conferences, including the Mizuho Small & Mid-Cap Chemicals Conference in New York on June 2 and the Wells Fargo 16th Industrials & Materials Conference in Chicago on June 11, showcasing its active engagement and transparency in the industry.
- Executive Attendance: CFO Jon Puckett and VP of Investor Relations Chris Kapsch will attend the Mizuho event, while CEO Corning Painter will also participate in the Wells Fargo conference, indicating the company's commitment to investor communication at the highest levels.
- Industry Leadership: Orion S.A. is a leading global supplier of carbon black, operating 15 production plants and 4 innovation centers, capable of delivering a diverse range of high-performance applications tailored to customer specifications, thereby reinforcing its competitive edge in the market.
- Sustainability Commitment: The company is dedicated to providing sustainable solutions through a deep understanding of customer needs, demonstrating its leadership in innovation and environmental responsibility, aligning with the current market demand for sustainable products.
See More
Orion S.A. Q1 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Performance Exceeds Expectations: Orion S.A. reported an adjusted EBITDA of $46 million for Q1, surpassing internal expectations, primarily driven by a significant demand improvement in March, which is expected to enhance the company's competitiveness in the Southeast Asian market.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: The company raised its full-year EBITDA guidance by $10 million to a range of $170 million to $210 million, reflecting confidence in future market demand, although it anticipates slight weakening in market conditions in the second half of the year.
- Cash Flow Pressure: The first quarter saw a free cash outflow of $48 million, largely due to a $54 million use of working capital, with expectations of full-year free cash outflow between $25 million and $50 million, indicating the impact of elevated oil prices on cash flow.
- Industry Challenges: While the Specialty segment performed well, the Rubber segment's adjusted EBITDA declined sharply by 53% year-over-year to $19 million, reflecting the impact of pricing agreements and adverse regional mix, necessitating close monitoring of future pricing and demand stability.
See More
Orion Reports Q1 Earnings with Mixed Results
- Earnings Performance: Orion's Q1 non-GAAP EPS of -$0.11 missed expectations by $0.20, indicating challenges in profitability, while revenue of $459.9 million, down 3.7% year-over-year, exceeded market expectations by $25.59 million, reflecting sales resilience.
- Net Loss Situation: The company reported a net loss of $10 million for the quarter, although adjusted EBITDA reached $46 million, suggesting some success in cost control and operational optimization, yet ongoing losses raise concerns about future financial health.
- Cash Flow Liquidity: With the first quarter typically seeing the highest working capital utilization, Orion experienced an operating cash use of $12 million and a free cash outflow of $48 million, which may exert pressure on the company's liquidity and necessitate measures to improve cash flow.
- Cost Response Strategy: In response to the surge in energy prices in March, Orion acted swiftly by accelerating cost actions and optimizing working capital while implementing targeted price increases and surcharges to protect margins in non-formula pass-through business, demonstrating the company's agility in adversity.
See More
Orion S.A. Reports Q1 2026 Financial Results with Adjusted EBITDA of $46 Million
- Sales Decline: Orion S.A. reported Q1 net sales of $460 million, a 4% year-over-year decrease primarily due to an 11% price reduction from lower oil prices and a 1% adverse mix, although volumes increased by 2% and benefited from a 6% favorable foreign exchange impact.
- Net Loss: The company recorded a net loss of $10 million for the quarter, with Adjusted EBITDA at $46 million, indicating some profitability despite market challenges, reflecting efforts in cost control and cash flow management.
- Inventory Management Optimization: By accelerating cost actions and optimizing working capital, Orion effectively responded to the surge in energy prices in March, despite operating cash use of $12 million and free cash outflow of $48 million in Q1, highlighting liquidity management pressures.
- Market Demand Recovery: Demand for Orion's specialty business significantly picked up towards the end of Q1, particularly in March, indicating an increased customer preference for local supply, which may enhance performance through sustained market demand improvements.
See More
