Carbon black supplier Orion is building a new acetylene black production facility in La Porte, Texas, which will produce acetylene-based PRINTEX kappa 100 conductive additive, its battery-grade conductive carbon.

Orion expects the plant to start production in the second quarter of 2026.

Combined with Orion’s acetylene black plant in Berre l’Étang, France, the new facility will substantially increase the company’s conductive additive production capacity.

PRINTEX kappa 100 delivers high purity and conductivity that enhances battery performance and enables longer battery life than competing materials, according to the company.

“PRINTEX kappa 100 is engineered for easy use in both anode and cathode, where it forms a robust percolation network that enables efficient electron transport throughout the electrode,” said Claudia Ramirez Castro, PhD, the company’s Technical Marketing Manager for Batteries. “This dual application enables customers to reduce complexity and simplify their supply chain because they can use one additive that performs on both sides.”

“By optimizing the slurry dispersion processes with advanced conductive additives such as PRINTEX kappa 100 manufacturers can increase process yield and reduce scrap rates,” said Ana Kiricova, Commercial Development Director for Batteries. “These improvements directly strengthen cell manufacturing margins and competitiveness, which is critical to enabling successful domestic production.”

“The impact on the cost and scrap rates of the batteries is undervalued,” Kiricova added. “Working with a company like Orion to optimize dispersions could help manufacturers become more competitive.”

Source: Orion