The R&D team of CSRC is dedicated to grasping global trends. Through technical excellence and continuous improvement of equipment and manufacturing processes, we have repeatedly demonstrated outstanding performance with our customers internationally. We have eight carbon black production plants located in Greater China, India, and the United States, along with four R&D centers and one technology licensing factory. We are committed to developing a wider range of carbon black applications, researching various new carbon black products and end applications to become a world-class carbon black manufacturing and integrated service leader, continuously innovating to strengthen our positioning and competitive advantage. R&D expenses invested in 2024 by CSRC’s Carbon Black Business Unit reached NT$188 million; CSRC has accumulated a total of 62 patents.
A patent certification reward system has been established to encourage the employees of CSRC to actively innovate, implement research and development results, and improve product quality and functions. In 2024, 10 patent applications were submitted, 6 patents were granted, and 5 employees received bonuses.
Note: The cumulative number of patents includes patents in the biotechnology business.
Carbon black product R&D status in 2024
- Zero-emission plasma process technology: A prototype system has been developed for the production of hydrogen and nano carbon materials.
- A key high-temperature purification process for the modified recycled carbon black (R010) has been developed, and a patent application has been submitted.
- The laboratory conducted tests to replace virgin carbon black (vCB) with recycled carbon black (rCB) recovered from tire pyrolysis, and it was determined that one type of rCB can replace vCB by up to 15%.
- Evaluating the performance of a range of renewable/recycled oils, two sources of natural oils and another source of Tire Pyrolysis Oil (TPO) have been identified that are suitable for the manufacture of carbon black.
- Developed the CC series of Eco-circular carbon black with a 30% content of recycled carbon black (rCB) using the Ouroboros solution.
- Continex-LH can improve the fuel efficiency of truck tires and has obtained relevant patents. The plan is to scale up from laboratory scale to pilot production line scale. This work has continued into 2024 with further progress made in tread wear resistance. In truck tires, Continex-LH can enhance durability, extend tire life, and reduce tread wear particle emissions. With the assistance of colleagues in the Greater China region, initial expansion activities have been initiated.
- Production volume: Increased by at least 4 times in 2024 compared to 2023.
- The development of new specifications for conductive carbon black has been introduced into the cathode formulation by a lithium battery company and has entered the pilot production testing phase.
- Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) synthesized using the FCCVD (Floating Catalyst Chemical Vapor Deposition) method exhibit excellent quality.
- Established processes for purification of carbon nanotubes and preparation of carbon nanotube suspensions.
- Production capacity has scaled up from laboratory level to pilot production line level.