Over 100 industry professionals attended the three-day Carbon Black World Conference in Rome this week. This conference is one of only two annual technical exhibitions focused on the expanding carbon black market. Attendees traveled from around the world to discuss and learn about market trends, new equipment and future technologies available in the production and refinement of Carbon Black.

William (Bill) Brown, Division Manager for Hosokawa Micron Powder Systems, gave a presentation on the “Grit Reduction of Carbon Black”. Bill is an expert in the grit reduction of carbon black and has worked with many domestic and international producers. Bill’s presentation focused on increasing the value and improving quality of carbon black using either an updated version of the Mikro ACM – Air Classifying Mill or Mikro LGM Long Gap Mill for even better results to meet the demands for the special black market. The E-ACM (Enhanced Air Classifying Mill) is equipped with a special milling configuration and utilizes a patented recycling loop that effectively reduces grit particle size.  The Mikro LGM Long Gap Mill has proven to produce even more superior results, unsurpassed product quality, achieving grit levels no other mill on the market can manufacture.

The market for special blacks is forecast to rise at nearly double the rate of rubber blacks over the next 3-5 years and command higher margins.