Orion acquires carbon black plant in China

Orion Engineered Carbons S.A. (Orion), a worldwide supplier of specialty and high-performance carbon black, has finalized its acquisition of the remaining shares of the carbon black business (QECC) in Qingdao, China. The total purchase price reached approximately EUR28 million for 100% of the equity of QECC, according to Jack Clem, Chief Executive Officer of Orion.

The acquisition is part of Orion's strategy of expanding its business to major regions it serves, especially North America, Europe and South Korea. It expects outstanding performance into 2016 as newer markets develop more fully on its expanded specialty production capacity.

Orion Engineered Carbons is one of the world's leading suppliers of carbon black. It offers standard and high-performance products for Coatings, Printing Inks, Polymers, Rubber and other applications. Its Gas Blacks, Furnace Blacks and Specialty Carbon Blacks tint, colorize and enhance the performance of plastics, paints and coatings, inks and toners, adhesives and sealants, tires, and manufactured rubber goods such as automotive belts and hoses. With 1,530 employees worldwide, Orion Engineered Carbons runs 15 global production sites and four Applied Technology Centers, focusing on quality supply and collaborative partnerships with customers. Common shares of Orion Engineered Carbons are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol OEC.