A versatile material Columbian Tiszai

A VERSATILE MATERIAL

Carbon black is a material used for a wide range of applications from ink production through to tyre production, including the tyres for Formula 1 racing cars. Columbian Tiszai Kft is the major producer of carbon black in Hungary and is a member of the Birla Carbon Group, the world’s largest supplier of carbon black. Edina Beale reports.

IN 1992 Columbian Chemicals Company (CCC) and Tiszai Vegyi Kombinát (TVK) signed a contract to create a joint venture and establish a company to produce carbon black in Tiszaújváros, Hungary. The newly founded plant, Columbian Tiszai Kft, was set to achieve a 50 KT/year capacity.

The first production line began operation in December 1993 and six months later, in May 1994, a second production line was implemented. In 2000 TVK sold its 40 per cent share to CCC. The company worked hard to boost output and in 2000, the production capacity increased to 65 KT/year. This capacity, however, was still not enough to meet the market’s growing demand.

Global Business

There are two main product types that are produced from carbon black. The largest market segment for carbon black is the tyre industry, and this is followed by the industrial rubber industry, the automotive industry as well as the plastic industry. Paint and ink producers also use carbon black as a pigment to manufacture ink for printers and photocopy machines.

Managing director of the Hungarian factory, László Dobos explains the need for expansion of operations: „The market for using carbon black is global. Despite the fact that our plant is the only carbon black producer in Hungary the competition is very fierce both against the traditional large European companies as well as the Chinese and Russian imports. Continuous development and learning, and quick response to changes are necessary to maintain competitiveness.”

An example of this quick response was in 2006 when a strategic decision was made to enlarge the factory’s capacity. This was achieved in 2008 and enabled Columbian Tiszai to manufacture 113.5 KT carbon black in a year whilst operating a Co-gen (Cogeneration) power station to produce electricity.

Mr Dobos is quite aware of the need for constant review and change: “In order to sustain our development we make continuous investments in all fields of our operations including safety, environmental, energy efficiency or product development. For example we are continuously reducing the specific usage of basic materials by implementing the latest and most modern heat exchangers and therefore reducing the CO2 emission.”

Quality Supplier

In 2011 CCC was taken over by the Indian Aditya Birla Group (ABG), and as a result of this change, Birla Carbon, the largest producer of carbon black was established, operating 17 production plants in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Today Columbian Tiszai in Hungary is the largest European production plant of the group with a capacity of 130KT/year. The company currently employs 94 staff members and achieves 150-160 million USD annual turnover.

Columbian Tiszai currently focuses on meeting the continuously changing demands of the tyre industry and the industrial rubber production segment in the European and African region. The factory has gained a solid reputation supplying prominent names including Continental, Michelin, Pirelli, Bridgestone, Hankook and Brisa.

Mr Dobos outlines the company’s export philosophy: “80 per cent of sales are for export markets. Most of our produce is commodity product, so it is not sensible to ship it long distances. The Hungarian plant therefore focuses on the Central European countries surrounding, and targets Germany, Austria and part of Turkey.”

Continuing monitoring of market demands and competitors’ activities allows Columbian Tiszai to remain a valuable and competitive member of the global operation. “Our objective is to totally meet changing customer

“130 year tradition, 100% innovation.” Big bags from the manufacturer to meet your needs.

Hungary - 8460 Devecser Vásárhelyi u. 81. office@flexicont.hu | www.flexicont.hu

Somló-Zsák Ltd

31 years ago, Somló-Zsák Ltd became the first company in Hungary to produce big bags. Over the past few decades Somló-Zsák has developed its technology and now has a very wide product range, from standard bags and conductive bags to special or chemical resistant bags. The company has developed its own technology to ensure these bags are highly dust proof and will not therefore contaminate their surroundings as they pass along the supply chain.

Somló-Zsák is an eastern European company that has recently been merged into an international group in order to deal with market challenges. Today it is a highly organised concern that can guarantee the best technological solutions at a reasonable price. Its partners can therefore benefit from high technological standards and its long-term experience and knowledge of the European market.

Eurolux-Trans Kft is located in an industrial park in Felsőzsolca, an excellent site to join the Hungarian motorway system. Our plant is 50km away from the Slovakian and 140km away from the Ukrainian border, and is 38km far from Columbian Tiszai Koromgyártó Kft.

Our company has been a sub-contractor for Columbian Tiszai Koromgyártó Kft since 1994. The small distance between the manufacturer and the service provider is ideal to provide flexible and prompt response.

Currently we operate 69 trucks that meet the requirements of the strictest environmental standards.

The fleet of Eurolux-Trans Kft also include 57 special tip trailers suitable for transporting carbon black, five 90m3 trailers designed to transport Silica, and in order to satisfy traditional customer requests we have ten canvas trailers with side curtains.

We gained an extensive experience in transporting carbon black and Silica throughout many decades, and our expertise and commitment is the guarantee to serve our customers to the highest level.

Eurolux-Trans Kft. 3561 Felsőzsolca, Ipari u. 5, Hungary tel: +36 46 502 320 e-mail: dispo@eurolux.hu web: www.eurolux.hu

demands whilst taking the best advantage of the production synergy created by the Birla Carbon group in the region.”

Moving forward the company is looking for ways to continuously improve production and quality to ensure that it remains a leading provider of black carbon. Mr Dobos highlights the company’s future plans. “Our goal is to maintain sustainable continuous development in both tangible and in human resources. Within the industry our objective is to strengthen our position as Quality Supplier and to produce value for both our owners and for our customers as well as contributing to their future development.”

Well thought out investments, the ability to respond quickly to a rapidly developing market place, quality products and a dedicated, professional and well trained work force are some of the elements that will enable the Hungarian manufacturing plant to remain ahead of the field. Combine this with the help and support of a global organization, Columbian Tiszai is in an excellent position to meet any new challenge. n