PCBL Chemical Signs Technology Transfer Agreement with Ningxia Jinhua Chemical to Produce Acetylene Black in India

PCBL Chemical has signed a technology transfer agreement with Ningxia Jinhua Chemical Co., Ltd. in China to produce acetylene black in India.

Acetylene black is a high-end conductive grade chemical used in high voltage cables, lithium-ion batteries, electric vehicle charging, semiconductor packaging and conductive plastics, paints and coatings applications.

PCBL plans to set up its first acetylene black plant in India to meet the rapidly growing demand of the Indian battery industry and export to the global battery, semiconductor and conductive markets, thereby adapting to market needs and building a more resilient supply chain for key conductive materials.

PCBL has significantly expanded its specialty product portfolio over the past few years. The company has launched more than 50 grades, including Bleumina brand products for engineering plastics; Nutone brand products for inks, paints and coatings applications; Energia brand products for conductive applications such as conductive polymers, electrostatic discharge, wire and cable and batteries. The addition of acetylene black will greatly enhance its ability to provide multiple grades in the fast-growing conductive field.

PCBL recently formed a joint venture company, Nanovace Technologies Ltd, to develop nano-silicon products for lithium-ion battery anodes, with a pilot plant to be commissioned in the coming months.

The addition of acetylene black technology is in sync with PCBL’s strategy to align growth with global macro trends such as energy transition, grid renewal, vehicle electrification and semiconductor industry growth.

The market size of acetylene black is currently around 60,000 metric tons and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19%-20% to reach 150,000 metric tons by 2030.

PCBL aims to become a major player in the conductive materials space. With this technology acquisition, PCBL now has multiple conductive technology platforms - Furnace Black, Nanovace and Acetylene Black, making it part of an elite group of multi-platform carbon black manufacturers. This acquisition will further accelerate PCBL’s transformation into an innovation-led and technology-driven organization.