Orion Engineered Carbons LLC and HB Chemical Corporation have signed a letter of intent to establish HB Chemical as a distributor for Orion Rubber Carbon Black products in North America.
The companies expect to finalize the arrangement in the next 30 days. HB Chemical of Twinsburg, Ohio, has warehouses throughout the U.S. and in Toronto, Canada. It will distribute the full line of Orion Carbon Blacks for the rubber market, including new ECORAX grades for truck tire carcass compounds and SABLE products for manufactured rubber goods.
“HB Chemical has an exceptional reputation in the U.S. rubber market,” said Jose Briones, Marketing Manager ? Rubber. “It is recognized in the industry for its knowledge of rubber technology and science, and understanding of the market.”
Briones added that HB Chemical sells many other chemicals and additives products that complement Carbon Black.
HB Chemical President Jeff Rand said that Orion Carbon Blacks will be flagship items for the distributorship. “Partnering with Orion allows us to offer customers a North American-made, high quality product rather than Asian material,” he said. “What’s more, customers will be able to take advantage not only of our technical expertise but Orion’s as well.”