Orion Hires BASF’s Steinmetz as It Targets German Battery Market

Orion, the maker of carbon black, said it has hired a BASF battery-materials executive to lead a new global business targeting opportunities in lithium-ion and electrification.

Adrian Steinmetz joins on Oct. 1 as global vice president for conductive additives, Orion said in a statement. Alongside the appointment, the Houston-based company unveiled a new battery innovation centre in Cologne, Germany.

“The growth potential for conductive additives is huge,” Orion CEO Corning Painter said.

Steinmetz brings more than 25 years of experience in battery materials and specialty chemicals. Running the technical team in the Batter Innovation Center is Amaury Augeard, a former Lotus Group scientist.

Orion’s plant in France is Europe’s sole producer of acetylene-based conductive additives used in Li-on batteries. The company will hold a similar title in the US once its La Porte facility is built and quadruples capacity.