EuroWire July 2022

Corporate News

US acetylene-based conductive additives plant Chemical company Orion Engineered Carbons plans to build the only plant in the USA producing acetylene-based conductive additives – a critical link in the value chain for lithium-ion batteries, high-voltage cables and other products powering the global transition to electrification and renewable energy. acetylene supplied from a neighbouring site owned by Equistar Chemicals LP, a subsidiary of LyondellBasell. this material, so expanding capacity for it is one of our top investment priorities and a major milestone in our growth plans.” The company, which has a similar plant in France with locally supplied acetylene gas from LyondellBasell, is the sole producer of acetylene-based conductive additives in the European Union.

Acetylene is a colourless gas widely used as a chemical building block. Orion’s pro duction process turns acetylene into a powder, which is added to lithium-ion batteries to enhance electrical conductiv ity and extend lifetime. The material plays a similar role in high-voltage cables used for wind and solar farms. Orion will invest between $120mn and $14mn in the facility, which is expected to start up in the second half of 2024. The investment is forecast to increase the company’s conductive additives capacity by approximately 12 kilotons per year. “With this investment, we will quadruple our effective manufacturing capacity of acetylene-based conductive additives,” said Corning Painter, Orion’s CEO. “We are already experiencing high demand for

The planned facility in La Porte, Texas, will be backed by a long-term agreement for

Demand for battery additives is expected to grow rapidly with the global boom in the construction of “gigafactories”making lithium-ion batteries. “Batteries will continue to play an increasingly vital role in the world’s shift toward clean energy,” said Mr Painter. “By being a key supplier of materials to the battery industry, we’re living up to our mission of delivering solutions for a more sustainable future.” Orion Engineered Carbons www.orioncarbons.com

Orion’s plant in Berre-l’Etang, France

Expanded space for development, service workshop and seminars

is available for the solution of specific tasks and problems of national and international customers, and also for seminars and training courses. The first scheduled test run was for the start of the SumMet courses, in which Buehler will impart specialist knowledge on the preparation and evaluation of material samples. Buehler ITWTest &Measurement GmbH www.buehler.com

independent laboratory dealer that took over warehousing for the diverse systems, spare parts and consumables used in materialography and material analysis, as well as customer service, at the end of 2020. The laboratory is equipped with technology for the preparation of materialography samples, as well as the latest generation of hardness testers and corresponding testing software. It

Buehler ITW Test & Measurement has relocated its German headquarters, including development and service workshop, from Esslingen to Leinfelden Echterdingen. The new premises offer the company’s employees space on two floors for comfortable working in a friendly atmosphere. From the new site, Buehler also coordinates the cooperation with its Bremen-based partner Omnilab – an

Celsa France chooses Tenova digital platform Tenova Goodfellow Inc, a subsidiary of Tenova, has received an order from Celsa France for the supply of an iEAF® technology platform using the NextGen® system for its 150-ton scrap AC top charge furnace in Boucau, France. The order from Celsa France, an EAF steel producer specialised in the production of steel billets from steel scrap, represents the third NextGen system to be installed in Europe, and one of more than 15 systems installed worldwide. that is needed for achieving net energy and melting per cent control with iEAF technology. Also included will be optical temperature and velocity measurement, HMI for process data, and optimisation support. “We are pleased to continue our long standing relationship with Tenova,” said Nicolas Claveranne, production manager at Celsa France and project manager for this project. “The NextGen references, we are sure, will bring added value to the steel-making operations of our plant.”

Davide Masoero, area manager Europe electric arc and ladle furnace at Tenova, commented, “Since the beginning of this project, the cooperation with Celsa France has been fruitful, and we have worked together to fulfil its targets. As per our heritage, our support will continue during the implementation and the execution of this project to reach the expected results.” Tenova www.tenova.com

The scope of supply will include Tenova’s NextGen hardware for upstream off-gas measurement, which is the first critical step that enables all software solutions, including mass and energy balance

Celsa France will use the NextGen systemwith its 150-ton scrap AC top charge furnace

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July 2022