Orion invests in upgrading Alpha Carbone facility

US-based specialty chemicals company Orion has announced plans to invest in French tire recycling company Alpha Carbone. The collaboration will allow Alpha Carbone to expand its facility in Dole, France, and produce commercial volumes of tire pyrolysis oil and recycled carbon black.

The partnership also includes a long-term supply agreement with Orion as the exclusive customer for tire pyrolysis oil produced by Alpha Carbone, the companies said. Orion will use the oil to produce round carbon black for tire and rubber products customers.

Alpha Carbone's tire pyrolysis process takes discarded end-of-life tires and exposes them to high temperatures, removing wires, mesh and other materials. The process also reduces tires to syngas, recycled carbon black and tire pyrolysis oil.

The plant is expected to start up by the end of 2025. In addition to supplying pyrolysis oil to Orion, Alpha Carbone will sell recycled carbon black to its own customers primarily under long-term contracts.

"This investment enables Orion to produce round-grade carbon black at scale for rubber customers looking for sustainable solutions," said Orion CEO Corning Painter.

Orion said it has been working closely with major tire companies for many years to develop circular carbon black. Tire pyrolysis is the only proven technology to produce round carbon black that can be used in new tires.

Orion claims to be the only company to produce round carbon black from 100% tire pyrolysis oil, and it has also proven that its round products can replace virgin carbon black in many applications.