Orion Celebrates Successful Inauguration of State-of-the-Art Carbon Black Factory in Huaibei, China

　　On November 17, 2023, Orion, the specialty chemicals company (NYSE: OEC), celebrated the successful completion and commencement of operations of its second factory in China, marking the first entirely new carbon black factory project for the Orion Group. Located in Huaibei City, Anhui Province, the factory is poised to meet the rapidly growing demands of the Chinese market.

　　The Huaibei factory by Orion produces high-performance carbon black products applicable across various industries, including coatings, printing inks, rubber, polymers, and textile fibers. The design annual production capacity of the two production lines is 70,000 tons.

　　"This Huaibei factory is a significant milestone for our company," stated Mr. Corning Painter, CEO of Orion. "It is not merely a new facility but a commitment by Orion to customers, innovation, and fostering local economic prosperity. The factory will also serve as a consistent source of high-skilled employment for Huaibei."

　　The celebration event saw the participation of more than 160 guests, including Mr. Song Yuxian, Party Committee Secretary and Director of the Management Committee of the New Coal Chemical Synthetic Materials Base in Anhui (Huaibei), and Mr. Wang Chengjun, Party Committee member of the base, as well as important customers, raw material suppliers, project contractors, and representatives from various banks.

　　Mr. Wang Wenjian, General Manager of Orion Huaibei Factory, mentioned in his address, "We will consistently uphold our environmental and social responsibilities, prioritizing safety and environmental protection. Guided by principles of compliance and sustainable development, we will continue to innovate in production and operations, enhance quality and efficiency, and strive to become a model factory for Orion globally, contributing actively to the sustainable development of Huaibei."

　　Apart from the Huaibei factory, Orion has another facility in Qingdao, established in 1994, focusing on the production of carbon black for tires, rubber products, and specialized applications.

　　Mr. Corning Painter commended every member of the Huaibei project team for overcoming the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, saying, "I would like to use a Chinese proverb, 'Facing difficulties together on the same boat,' to describe it. We have overcome the significant challenges brought by the pandemic together. We appreciate the steadfast guidance of the local government, the support of our customers, and the courageous dedication of every employee and construction team member. We continue to prioritize health and safety and have successfully completed this project."