PCBL to build acetylene black plant in India

Kolkata, India – PCBL Chemical, formerly Phillips Carbon Black Ltd, has signed a technology transfer agreement with Chinese company Ningxia Jinhua Chemical to produce acetylene black in India.

Acetylene black is a conductive filler used in applications including power cables, Li-ion batteries, EV charging, electronics packaging, plastics and paints & coatings.

In a 17 Feb statement, PCBL said it planned to set up its first acetylene black plant in India to meet “the fast-growing demand” from India's battery industry.

Furthermore, the group expects to export the materials to the global battery, semiconductor and conductive-product markets.

PCBL did not provide details about the size of investment, plant capacity or construction timeline.

The announcement follows a recent joint venture agreement with Nanovace Technologies to develop nano-silicon products for Li-ion battery anodes.

The Indian supplier said a pilot plant at its Palej site, Gujarat, will be ready “in the next few months.”