Russia sanctions ‘drive up interest in recovered carbon black’

Stockholm – The EU’s imposition of import quotas for synthetic rubber and carbon black is likely a step towards a total import ban from 1 July 2024, believes Scandinavian Enviro Systems (Enviro).

The latest sanctions in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine, said Swedish tire pyrolysis group, are therefore likely to increase demand for Enviro’s recycled carbon black (rCB) and related products.

Soon after the Russian invasion in February 2022, Enviro “noticed increased interest from existing and new customers to receive supplies of recycled carbon black and pyrolysis oil.”

Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus have produced a significant proportion of all carbon black used in Europe, according to the Swedish end of life tire recycler.

At the same time, Europe is seeking to reduce its dependence on Russian oil, Enviro continued in a press statement issued 3 March.

“And, since oil is a raw material in the production of carbon black, this could also affect supply,” according to the company.

With the imposition of trade sanctions on Russia, therefore, “many companies are reviewing their long-term risks related to the supply of materials from different countries.”

According to Enviro CEO Thomas Sörensson, it is important that the European market is kept well informed about this developing situation.

“We are monitoring developments now that companies in the EU are potentially experiencing a limited supply of carbon black," said Sörensson.