“Asia Pacific Carbon Black Conference: India Positioned as Future Global Export Hub”
Kolkata, October 24, 2024: The 15th edition of Asia Pacific Carbon Black Conference, Asia’s largest carbon gathering concluded in Kolkata today. Themed ‘Carbon Black: Perspectives in Asia Pacific,’ the event took place from October 21-23, 2024. The conference covered diverse sectors of the carbon black value chain, including tyre and auto components, plastics, conductive carbon black, lab equipment, recycled black, and packaging.
The conference featured a series of keynote sessions, roundtable discussions, and scientific and technical presentations. Approximately 500 delegates from over 20 countries attended the conference, with over 30 kiosks and stalls on display. The Conference brought together industry leaders and key corporates, with participation from companies like Aditya Birla Group, Thermax, Epsilon Carbon, PCBL, Birla Carbon, Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd., Saint Gobain, Doright Company Ltd, Thai Tokai Carbon, and Morgan Advanced Materials among others.
Dr. Manoj Pant. Chief Secretary of West Bengal graced the occasion on the second day as the Chief Guest. highlighting the projected CAGR of 4.8% for the sector and invited industrialists to invest in West Bengal’s emerging industrial landscape. He emphasized that the principles of reclaim, recycle, and reuse are essential in boosting the circular economy. Mr. Pant also mentioned that the conference comes at a critical moment as discussions on sustainability and innovation are shaping the future of an industry that’s rapidly growing and foreseeing a huge spurt in demand, noting increasing demand in EV tyres and battery components
Commenting on the conference Mr. Amit Choudhary, Chairman of the International Advisory Committee and Executive Director of Himadri Speciality Chemical Limited said, “The global tire industry is projected to invest $27.3 billion between 2023 and 2028, with India contributing $1 billion through new projects. India is increasing its exports to the EU and North America to fill the gap left by reduced Russian carbon black supplies. Asia, particularly in the carbon black sector, is set to solidify its role as a global manufacturing hub. Notably, automobile sector growth in Asia has shown an ~88% correlation with GDP over the past decade.Since 1993, Carbon Black Perspectives in Asia Pacific has played a pivotal role in shaping the region’s industry, and hosting the 15th edition in Kolkata is an immense honor. This is the first post-pandemic conference after years of dedicated effort by the International Advisory Committee (IAC). We are thrilled to welcome delegates from countries including the US, Europe, UAE, South Korea, Japan, and Spain. The global carbon black industry is entering a new phase, with accelerating demand in emerging markets like India and across the Asia Pacific region. This conference has driven discussions on how to balance growth with sustainability, foster thought leadership, and encourage global collaborations and agreements.”
The carbon black industry is currently valued at approximately USD 28 billion and is expected to grow to USD 42 billion by 2032, offering substantial opportunities, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, which remains a key driver of growth. India aims to meet 50% of its electricity needs from renewable energy sources by 2030. With significant changes in vehicle design, tyres must also evolve to meet these demands, with an increasing focus on reducing the overall carbon footprint. Legacy ASTM blacks may no longer be sufficient to address these shifts, presenting new opportunities for innovation.
The conference featured experts to discuss green finance, building certifications, innovative technologies, and global green building trends. The conference offered both online and offline exchange opportunities, providing a high-quality platform for the low-carbon, smart, and resilient carbon black industry of the future.