In a significant accomplishment, Orion S.A., a prominent producer of specialty chemicals, announced today that its facility in Cologne, Germany, has successfully obtained the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS). This achievement marks the company’s fourth plant to receive this esteemed recognition, solidifying Orion’s leading position in the industry with the highest number of certified carbon black production sites.
The Cologne facility’s accomplishment is the result of thorough audits confirming its compliance with the rigorous sustainability standards established by ISCC PLUS. Particularly noteworthy is the certification’s extension to the production of circular and bio-circular raw materials, emphasizing Orion’s commitment to driving environmentally friendly solutions.
Corning Painter, CEO of Orion, underscored the company’s enduring commitment to circular solutions and sustainable products. “ISCC PLUS validates the transparency and traceability of sustainable raw materials in our value chain, demonstrating our dedication to sustainability,” stated Painter.
Orion’s groundbreaking achievement builds on its success from the previous year, where it became the first to secure ISCC PLUS for multiple carbon black grades produced from diverse feedstocks across plants in Borger, Texas; Belpre, Ohio; and Jaslo, Poland. These facilities have successfully undergone recertification this year.
Painter highlighted the Cologne plant’s certification as particularly significant due to its diverse production range, encompassing specialty products for batteries, coatings, printing, and polymers. Orion’s commitment to sustainable rubber applications, evident in its certified plants, remains a central focus of its mission.
A decade ago, Orion emerged as a pioneer by developing and commercializing carbon black made from renewable feedstocks, setting an industry precedent. The company continues to lead by participating as the exclusive carbon black producer in the BlackCycle initiative—an EU-funded project dedicated to advancing circular carbon black production.
The coveted ISCC PLUS certification is granted by the ISCC Association based in Cologne, an organization championing the sustainable production of biomass, circular and bio-based materials, and renewables. Orion’s latest accomplishment not only reinforces its standing as an industry leader but also emphasizes its unwavering dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship.