Orion S.A. launches bio-circular carbon black for coatings

Orion S.A., a global specialty chemicals company, has launched ECOLAR 50 POWDER – a new bio-circular carbon black that will help coatings manufacturers formulate more sustainable coatings.

ECOLAR 50 POWDER delivers coloristic properties comparable to regular specialty carbon blacks.

“We’re leading the way in advancing carbon black to meet increasing industry demands for sustainable products,” said Tilo Lindner, vice president for global marketing for specialty carbon black at Orion, which more than 10 years ago was the first company to launch a plant oil-based carbon black product.

“ECOLAR 50 POWDER enables coatings formulators to develop truly sustainable products in all kinds of coatings applications,” Lindner added.

Based completely on bio-circular feedstock not in competition with the food chain, ECOLAR 50 POWDER contains 100% biogenic raw material per 14C analysis. A low to medium color furnace black, ECOLAR 50 POWDER’s coloristic properties provide medium jetness in mass tone applications plus good tinting strength.

For example, when testing in a solvent–borne alkyd/melamine stoving enamel system, ECOLAR 50 POWDER achieved medium jetness at a higher level compared to other regular specialty carbon blacks. It also produced a comparable neutral undertone.

Tested in a water-borne 1K PU coating system, ECOLAR 50 POWDER produced jetness comparable to other regular specialty carbon blacks and generated a more neutral undertone.

According to Orion S.A., compared to traditionally produced low-color furnace blacks, ECOLAR 50 POWDER has similar wetting and dispersion properties and provides comparable coloristic performance for both full-tone and tinting applications.