Saint-Gobain plays a pivotal role in the carbon black industry by supplying high-performance refractories that enhance energy efficiency and thereby reduce pollution in the production process. The innovative solutions contribute to more sustainable carbon black manufacturing by improving yield and extending the lifespan of reactors while the company’s efforts to use cleaner energy sources as a consequence of its commitment to carbon neutrality strengthens its sustainability efforts.

Refractories play a crucial role in the production of carbon black, particularly in the reactors where the carbon black is produced. Carbon black is typically made by thermal decomposition of hydrocarbons called cracking in a high-temperature, oxygen-limited environment.

Refractories are heat-resistant materials used to line the reactors and other high-temperature vessels to withstand the extreme conditions involved in the carbon black production process. Their main functions include withstanding high-temperature erosion and chemical attack, thermal insulation, protecting equipment, controlling gas flow and distribution etc.

While there are many players that supply refractories to India’s carbon black industry, Saint-Gobain has been an innovative player that enhances energy efficiency. Speaking to Tyre Trends on the sidelines of the 15th Asia-Pacific Carbon Black Conference, Business Development Manager Shailesh Doshi mentioned, “The production process in the carbon black industry is inherently polluting. However, refractories play a crucial role in mitigating this impact by enhancing both yield and energy efficiency. By providing thermally efficient refractories, Saint-Gobain helps increase the yield of the process, thereby boosting overall energy efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint.”

For instance, if a reactor operates at 1,850 degrees Celsius, raising the temperature to 2,200 degrees Celsius can improve the yield by 4-5 percent. This not only improves energy efficiency but also contributes to a more sustainable process with a reduced carbon footprint.

Saint-Gobain supplies specialised refractories to the carbon black industry. “Refractories are essentially high-temperature, ceramic materials that line furnaces and other thermal vessels, designed to withstand extreme conditions inside these reactors. In the carbon black industry, there are two types of reactors, namely tread reactors and carcass reactors. As the names suggest, the carbon black produced in tread reactors is used for tyre treads, providing wear resistance, while the carbon black from carcass reactors is used in the tyres inner structure called carcass, contributing to strength,” informed Doshi.

“The refractories used in the reactors must endure not only high heat but also erosion, turbulence and chemical and thermal attacks. We provide high-purity refractories specifically designed for these aggressive conditions. Our refractories are critical for the key zones of the combustor, choke, venturi, post choke and other areas within the reactor. We work with leading players in the carbon black industry, having collaborated on the development of many products over the past four to five decades. Our close association with these industry leaders has helped evolve refractories for the carbon black manufacturing process ensuring our refractories meet the ever-evolving demands of this high-temperature, high-performance environment,” added the executive.

IMPROVING EFFICIENCY

The executive mentioned that Saint-Gobain manufactures refractories from high-performance materials designed to withstand extreme temperatures. “For alumina refractories, we primarily use aluminium oxide, which is sintered to form a dense, durable structure. For zirconia refractories, we use fused zirconia grains, which has exceptional thermal stability. These materials are chosen for their inherent ability to withstand temperatures as high as 1,850 degrees Celsius, with zirconia refractories capable of handling even higher temperatures,” explained the executive.

He noted that the key to the effectiveness of these materials at such high temperatures lies in their unique properties. Aluminium oxide and zirconia both have excellent resistance to thermal shock, erosion and chemical attack, making them ideal for the harsh conditions inside carbon black reactors.

Alluding to how these refractories help in energy efficiency within the reactors, he said, “In terms of energy savings, we see improvements in yield when operating at higher temperatures. This increase in yield is directly linked to better energy efficiency. Additionally, by using high-quality refractories with longer lifespans, we reduce the need for reactor shutdowns. The energy loss during shutdowns and restarts can be significant, so a longer refractory life translates to less downtime and more consistent energy use. This, in turn, not only boosts energy efficiency but also helps reduce overall pollution from the carbon black production process.”

Alluding to how the company holds a competitive edge, he said, “Our focus remains on purity and quality control. As the temperature and chemical demands of the process increase, impurities in refractory materials can significantly affect performance. We rigorously control the purity of our raw materials to ensure that our refractories deliver superior performance, longevity and energy efficiency.”

ENSURING SUSTAINABILITY

Saint-Gobain is advancing sustainability in the carbon black production process through two primary channels, including enhancing customer processes and improving the environmental footprint of our own operations.

“For our customers, we focus on increasing yield and energy efficiency, which directly reduces carbon emissions. We also contribute to sustainability through our own manufacturing processes. Energy consumption is a significant factor in refractory production and we are transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Our plants no longer rely on oil-based fuels or polluting energy sources like petcoke; instead, we use natural gas and are increasingly shifting toward electricity,” said the official.

He added, “However, given the high temperatures required for refractory production, we continue to rely on the cleanest available fuels such as natural gas and LPG. Furthermore, as a group, we are actively working on improving our scope 3 carbon emissions by sourcing cleaner energy including renewable sources.”

In terms of innovation, Saint-Gobain has been leading efforts to enhance refractory performance for the carbon black industry. “Six to seven years ago, we introduced refractories capable of withstanding higher temperatures, helping customers boost reactor temperatures. Another key innovation is the development of large, single-piece refractories for complex zones like choke and venturi, which simplify installation and significantly reduce downtime. Traditional refractory bricks require more complex installation, but our solution streamlines this process enabling faster and more efficient reactor restarts,” added Doshi.

Saint-Gobain operates across a wide range of markets with a strong presence in carbon black, Petrochemical, metallurgy, ceramics, glass, plasterboard (Gyproc), construction chemicals, ceramics, refractories and abrasives.

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Discount Tire has earned a prominent position on Glassdoor's Best Places To Work 2026 list, ranking 14th in Consumer Services and within the top 100 US employers. This distinction is awarded to organisations with over 1,000 employee reviews on Glassdoor and a minimum rating of 3.5. For the Scottsdale-based retailer, with more than 1,250 locations nationally, the honour underscores a long-standing commitment to its workforce.

The company cultivates a people-first culture for its over 30,000 employees by providing substantial career growth, thorough training, leadership development and competitive benefits. This philosophy, centred on serving others and empowering personal goals, previously earned Discount Tire top Glassdoor rankings from 2018 through 2021. The latest recognition reaffirms its status as an employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and progressive workplace.

Dean Muglia, Chief Executive Officer, said, "We treat our people like family. We're honoured to be recognised by both current and former employees and Glassdoor as a best place to work. We strive every day to deliver the most inviting, easy and safe experience possible for our people and our customers."

Michael Zuieback, Executive Chairman, said, "Through six and a half decades of growth, our primary commitments have stayed true: We want to take care of people and help make more dreams come true.”

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Radar Tyres has entered a significant, multi-year global partnership with Cricket South Africa, a strategic move to build its brand within a sport enjoyed by a worldwide audience. This alliance grants the company headline sponsorship for the Proteas Men’s and Women’s T20 International sides, alongside associate partnership status for their ODI and Test matches. Radar will also be the headline partner for South Africa’s Under-19 national teams.

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G S Sareen, President and CEO, Omni United, said, "Becoming the Global Partner of the Proteas marks a significant milestone in Radar Tyres' global brand journey and reflects our belief in sport as a powerful platform to build brand equity, strengthen dealer support, enhance trust and credibility and connect with households worldwide. Through this partnership, we are able to engage with cricket fans both locally and globally while reinforcing Radar Tyres' as a reliable, performance-driven brand committed to delivering premium-performance at an accessible price point."

Pholetsi Moseki, Chief Executive Officer, CSA, said, "CSA is extremely proud to partner with Radar Tyres, an organisation that shares our values and commitment to excellence. This partnership is a significant milestone, securing support not only for our senior teams but for our junior teams as well. This partnership reflects our deliberate approach to working with like-minded organisations, guided by a long-term vision of developing the game, supporting our players and delivering memorable experiences for fans. Radar Tyres' support also reinforces CSA's commitment to excellence and inclusion, strengthening our ability to drive high performance across all levels."

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For the second consecutive year, the Alliance for the Future of Tyres (AZuR) has been shortlisted for the German Award for Sustainability Projects, following its 2025 win. This renewed nomination underscores the jury’s recognition of AZuR as a pioneering force in sustainability, particularly for its dedicated efforts to advance tyre retreading as a core component of a circular economy. The 2026 award ceremony will be held under the patronage of Brigitte Zypries on 17 September in Berlin.

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Seasoned tyre industry executive Manish Maharaj has embarked on a new professional chapter, joining Balkrishna Industries Ltd (BKT Tires) in a senior leadership capacity after a distinguished 11-year tenure with Apollo Tyres Ltd.

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