At The Battery Show North America 2025, Orion will unveil its upcoming acetylene black production facility in La Porte, Texas, alongside its flagship PRINTEX® kappa 100 conductive additive which is engineered for next-generation lithium-ion battery performance.
The La Porte plant, expected to launch in Q2 2026, will manufacture Orion’s acetylene-based PRINTEX kappa 100, a high-purity, high-conductivity carbon additive already widely adopted across the industry. “Combined with Orion’s acetylene black plant in Berre l’Étang, France, the new facility will significantly increase our conductive additive production capacity,” said Adrian Steinmetz, PhD, global VP for batteries. “It will strengthen, localise and stabilise manufacturers’ supply chains and optimise their costs.”
PRINTEX kappa 100 is designed for dual use in both anode and cathode applications. “It forms a robust percolation network that enables efficient electron transport throughout the electrode,” explained Claudia Ramirez Castro, PhD. “This dual application enables customers to reduce complexity and simplify their supply chain because they can use one additive that performs on both sides.”
Beyond performance, Orion is emphasising economic impact. “By optimising the slurry dispersion processes with advanced conductive additives such as PRINTEX kappa 100 manufacturers can increase process yield and reduce scrap rates,” said Ana Kiricova, commercial development director.
Orion’s technical and executive teams will be present at at Booth 5211 to engage with attendees and reinforce the company’s commitment to domestic battery production.
