Sustainable carbon black: Black Bear, Helm sign MoU

Black Bear Carbon B.V. has entered into a long-term supply chain and marketing cooperation with German chemicals marketing company Helm AG. Under this cooperation, the partners will jointly introduce industrial clients to the carbon black that Black Bear recovers from end-of-life tyres. Black Bear says it will contribute its extensive knowledge in product and application development while Helm will provide its supply chain know-how and commercial expertise through its broad market presence.

This exclusive, long-term agreement covers Black Bear’s first flagship plant on the Chemelot Industrial Park in Geleen, The Netherlands, which is scheduled to commence operations in the second half of 2023. Both partners seek to extend their cooperation via further projects that Black Bear is planning.

“Society is confronted with a global challenge to drastically reduce CO2 emissions and implement carbon neutrality measures. Black Bear recognises the importance of a circular economy where valuable raw materials are recovered into circular products,” says Victor Vreeken, chief executive officer of Black Bear. “We are ready to start the global rollout of our state-of-the-art technology for upcycling end-of-life tyre rubber and we are very pleased to join forces with Helm because of their expertise and international network. Together we will be able to serve our customers better.”

“Transforming the chemical industry towards a circular and sustainable future is a major task which can only be achieved through partnership, a long-term agenda and commitment from all stakeholders in our business,” adds Axel Viering, member of the Helm Executive Board. “Helm is proud to partner with Black Bear to serve the markets with recovered Carbon Black from Black Bear’s flagship production unit.“

First funds for Chemelot plant raised in May

Black Bear announced in May 2021 that it had raised 7.5 million euros in a first step towards funding its total capital needs of 78 euros for its new recovered Carbon Black plant at Chemelot Industrial Park. The company views the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding between Black Bear and HELM as marking another milestone for the project. The facility will produce 12,000 tonnes of recovered carbon black, a quantity that Black Bear says results in a reduction of over 65,000 tonnes of CO2 missions compared to the use of conventional carbon black.