Columbian Opens Carbon Black Plant in Brazil

An inauguration celebration has been held for Columbian Chemicals’ latest carbon black manufacturing facility. Work on the new plant, located in Camaçari Pole, a chemical complex in Brazil’s Bahia state, began in September 2005, and the company notes this operation at Camaçari Pole incorporates the latest environmental and energy conservation technologies. The US$75 million facility has a production capability of 75,000 tonnes, which can be expanded as the market develops; two tyre factories using the end product operate in the region, one belonging to Bridgestone/Firestone and the other to Continental.

Local authorities joined the company’s customers, suppliers and Board of Directors plus representatives from Camaçari Pole at the inauguration celebration. Jacques Wagner, Governor of the State of Bahia, and Luiz Carlos Caetano, Camaçari’s Mayor, both addressed the guests, along with JS Lee, president and CEO of Columbian, and Antonio Quaresma, president of the South American region.

“Columbian is a growing company and today we see the evidence of the type of growth that will ensure our future success,” said Lee. “Our customers are here and so we are here to be a part of what promises to be a very prosperous future for Bahia.”

Lee and Wagner revealed a commemorative plaque, and the facility was officially opened as Lee activated the facility’s sonic horn. Guests then toured the facility in small groups, and the day ended with a commemorative luncheon in Salvador.

Columbian Chemicals Co. is recognized as one of the world’s leading producers of carbon black; the company and its affiliates own and operate 13 carbon black manufacturing facilities in Brazil, Canada, China, England, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Korea, Spain and the United States, employing about 1,400 people worldwide.