Premium acetylene black and conductive additives portfolio

At the IWCS 2023 Cable & Connectivity Industry Forum, Orion S.A. is showcasing its new premium PRINTEX® kappa 100 BEADS for exceptionally high cleanliness, purity and conductivity in high-voltage (HV) electric transmission cables.

Orion (Booth #108) also is highlighting its comprehensive portfolio of high-performance conductive additives, which extend cable service life by imparting desired conductivities, superior surface smoothness and UV protection to medium-voltage (MV) distribution and HV cables. The IWCS 2023 Cable & Connectivity Industry Forum will take place Sept. 17–20, 2023, in Orlando. 

“PRINTEX kappa 100 acetylene conductive additive offers excellent dispersibility, extremely high cleanliness and low sulfur impurities,” said Kevin Milks, Orion marketing manager for polymers. “As a result, it imparts best-in-class high conductivity and excellent surface smoothness to conductor and insulation shields, making it ideal for use in HV cables.”

In addition to showcasing the PRINTEX kappa 100 product, Orion is highlighting its comprehensive portfolio of conductive additives. Marketed under the PRINTEX, HIBLACK® and AROSPERSE® brand names, these grades impart target conductivity to minimize dielectric stress between the conductor and cable insulation. They improve cable service life by imparting conductivity characteristics to compounds for low-, medium- and high-voltage cables, and by delivering UV protection for cable jacketing.

To promote supply chain resilience and increase acetylene black availability, Orion will build the only U.S. plant producing acetylene-based conductive additives. Planned for LaPorte, Texas, the facility is expected to begin operation during the first half of 2025.

“Our new acetylene-based conductive additives plant will provide the North American wire-and-cable industry a consistent, domestically produced and available supply of acetylene-based conductive additives,” said Jennifer S. Stroh, Ph.D., Orion director of specialties sales and marketing Americas. “We look forward to delivering custom solutions for all wire-and-cable applications, and in particular applying the attributes of PRINTEX kappa 100 BEADS to the stringent requirements of high-voltage applications.”