A new proposed standard (WK91069) from ASTM International’s recovered carbon black (rCB) committee aims to dramatically improve production monitoring and productivity for manufacturers. Currently, quality testing for rCB can take as long as 18 hours using an existing method adapted from ASTM’s carbon black standards.

The proposed standard, developed by the committee’s rCB subcommittee, would reduce testing time to just a few hours. According to Pieter Ter Haar, Director of rCB at Circtec and an ASTM member, this change will allow producers to make faster process adjustments, minimise off-spec material and provide end-users with quicker, more reliable results. The initiative reflects an industry effort to enhance efficiency and quality assurance in recovered carbon black production.

Ter Haar said, “The method currently used, which has been adopted from ASTM’s carbon black committee, results in a testing time that can take up to 18 hours. This is very inconvenient for producers for whom this is an important quality parameter.”

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Birla Carbon, a leading global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality carbon materials, is joining forces with the Indian Carbon Society (ICS), the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) and Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) to host the Conference on Advanced Carbon Materials (CACM) 2026. Scheduled to take place from 18 to 20 February 2026 at the BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, this event underscores Birla Carbon's deep expertise and ongoing dedication to progress in the carbon materials sector. The company’s commitment is evident through its evolving portfolio, which features industry-leading carbon black, carbon nanotubes and sustainable carbon innovations.

During the conference, Birla Carbon will showcase how its engineered carbon solutions are driving next-generation energy systems and advancing nanotube-enhanced materials. Presentations will highlight developments in customised carbon black architectures designed to improve durability and performance in tyres, rubber products and specialised applications. Additionally, the company will share progress on low-carbon materials derived from bio-based and circular feedstocks, contributing to a wider transition towards sustainable manufacturing practices.

CACM 2026 aims to unite leading scientists, technologists and industry professionals in the field of carbon science and engineering. The event seeks to encourage collaboration among academic, industrial and research sectors, highlight groundbreaking innovations and address key strategic and national priorities in the development of advanced carbon materials.

Dr Ann Schoeb, Chief R&D Officer and Energy Systems, Business Head, Birla Carbon, said, “Innovation in carbon materials is at the core of Birla Carbon’s DNA. Our commitment to advancing material science drives us to collaborate with leading academic and research institutions that share our vision for the future. Carbon materials will play an increasingly critical role in enabling high-performance and next-generation applications across industries. At the same time, they are instrumental in enhancing sustainability and circularity, supporting the transition towards a lower-carbon economy and improving quality of life globally.”

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Birla Carbon, a leading global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality carbon materials, is set to take part in PaintIndia 2026, scheduled from 19 to 21 February 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai. The company will be located at Booth L3 in Hall 4. At the exhibition, Birla Carbon will highlight its dedication to innovation tailored to specific applications, alongside its strengths in localised production and dependable supply chains, all aimed at supporting the paints and coatings sector with an extensive lineup of advanced carbon-based products.

A key focus will be the Raven line of speciality carbon blacks, engineered to address the shifting needs of modern coatings and inks in terms of performance, appearance and manufacturing efficiency. Visitors will encounter a variety of Raven grades designed to deliver exceptional blackness, precise tonal qualities and consistent results across multiple formulation types. Among these are solutions optimised for waterborne, solvent-based and powder coatings, such as the Raven 5000 Ultra, Raven 5100 Ultra and Raven 3500, which are known for their deep blue shades and reliable colour output.

The company will also present specialised grades developed for powder coatings and inks, including the Raven 1035 Powder, Raven 1185 Ultra Powder and Raven 1255 Powder. These products are part of a globally recognised portfolio of treated blacks now manufactured in India, offering reduced delivery times and greater supply stability along with superior performance characteristics. In addition, Birla Carbon will feature its broader range of advanced materials, which includes Nanocyl carbon nanotubes like the NC7000, Aquacyl and Epocyl, prized for their high electrical conductivity in various coating applications.

Conductex carbon blacks, noted for their ease of dispersion and strong conductive properties, will be presented as ideal for flooring coatings and primers. The Continua SCM line, a sustainable carbonaceous material, will also be on display, distinguished by its uniform quality, lower carbon footprint and elevated purity that meets food-contact standards and other rigorous requirements. Overall, Birla Carbon’s presence at PaintIndia 2026 will underscore its ongoing commitment to developing high-performance materials and solutions shaped by customer needs.

John Davidson, Chief Sales, Marketing & Sustainability Officer, Birla Carbon, said, “PaintIndia 2026 provides an important platform to exchange ideas, showcase innovation and collaborate on the next phase of coatings development in India and globally. Birla Carbon formulations are being improved in multiple dimensions today. The focus is on helping formulators with new materials science solutions that deliver both performance and predictability, with higher purity levels suitable for food-contact compliance. We continue to advance responsible innovation through solutions such as Continua SCM, our sustainable carbonaceous material designed to support mitigated CO₂ emissions with consistent quality and supply security. And of course, we are delighted to offer a range of ‘Made in India’ high-performance grades fresh from our new facility in India.”

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Liberty Tire Recycling, a prominent player in North America's tyre recycling sector, has received a Bronze sustainability medal from EcoVadis. This recognition places the company within the top 35 percent of over 150,000 businesses evaluated globally by the rating agency. The achievement underscores Liberty's ongoing dedication to fostering a resilient and transparent operational model, which in turn supports its clients in mitigating environmental and supply chain vulnerabilities.

As a dedicated partner in sustainability, Liberty manages nationwide collections of end-of-life tyres and employs advanced processing techniques. These processes convert scrap tyres into valuable raw materials, including recycled rubber and steel. Through its family of companies, Liberty transforms these materials into a diverse array of high-value products. These range from landscaping mulch and moulded rubber goods to specialised surfaces for sports and recreation, as well as advanced materials for construction and industrial use, all designed to assist customers in reaching their own sustainability targets.

In its second year of assessment, Liberty significantly enhanced its overall EcoVadis score to 66 out of 100, securing a position in the 73rd percentile. The company surpassed the average scores for the Waste Recovery industry across all four evaluation categories. Specifically, Liberty achieved scores of 76 in Environment, 65 in Labor and Human Rights, 62 in Ethics and 50 in Sustainable Procurement, compared to industry averages of 56, 54, 46, and 39, respectively. EcoVadis, a globally trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, bases its evaluations on documented policies, concrete actions and performance data, with regular reassessments to encourage continuous improvement.

This latest rating acknowledges Liberty's extensive efforts to sustainably manage more than 215 million scrap tyres each year. Looking ahead, the company has established an ambitious target of achieving zero-waste operations by 2030. Concurrently, it is expanding its range of sustainable product solutions, effectively channelling recycled materials back into both consumer and industrial markets.

Amy Brackin, Senior Vice President – Sustainability, Liberty Tire Recycling, said, “This recognition affirms that our sustainability strategy is ambitious, measurable and credible. Earning a Bronze medal in our second year demonstrates that Liberty is a partner our customers can rely on to help meet their own circularity and responsible sourcing goals.”

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Zeon Corporation and Visolis Inc. have formalised their partnership by signing a binding term sheet, marking a pivotal advancement in the commercialisation of bio-based isoprene monomer and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

This collaboration, which now moves from technology verification towards project implementation, is built upon the progress made since their initial memorandum of understanding in March 2024 and the subsequent joint feasibility study announced in April 2025. Bio-based isoprene monomer serves as an essential component in the production of synthetic rubbers and various other materials, while SAF is increasingly recognised as a critical next-generation fuel for reducing carbon emissions within the aviation industry.

The newly established term sheet outlines a foundational agreement on the key elements required for a final investment decision. These include defining the business structure and the respective roles of each company, establishing technology and development strategies and advancing detailed engineering for the proposed production facility. Furthermore, the agreement covers the evaluation of potential sites, the process for engaging with suppliers, securing necessary regulatory approvals and planning the financing pathway.

The envisioned facility is set to commence commercial-scale output after successfully demonstrating mass production capabilities for biomass-based isoprene and SAF, utilising Visolis’ proprietary technology. Both companies are now committed to expediting the path to full-scale production and ensuring a steady supply of these sustainable products to the global market.

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