Russian/Polish Joint Venture Emerges as Possible Buyer of Evonik Carbon Black

European Rubber Journal (subscription required) reported this morning that ZAO Polycarbon, a Russian carbon black producer, and Konimpex, a Polish carbon black distributor, have teamed up to form a joint venture, one of the primary options of which would be the possible acquisition of Evonik’s carbon black business.

ZAO Polycarbon (also known as Omsktechuglerod, or Omsk Carbon Black) is Russia’s largest carbon black producer, with factories in Omsk and Volgograd. Konimpex is its long-term partner for distributing its carbon black to customers in Europe. According to ERJ, “Both partners said they share the same long term development strategy based on continued growth through targeted acquisition.”