BIRLA CARBON CANADA
Community Update Page

Statement For Birla Carbon

Birla Carbon has been a part of the Hamilton community for the last six decades, contributing to the region’s growth and development, and will continue to pursue its vision for Birla Carbon Canada.

Birla Carbon understands that the prevailing situation in the Hamilton region has caused concern and shares the community’s interest in a clear, science-based understanding of the issues.

Birla Carbon is cooperating fully with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) and will continue to provide any information requested by the Ministry to support its assessment.

Addressing environmental concerns, along with the health and safety of its employees and the community in which it operates, is fundamental to how Birla Carbon does business.

The company will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

Last updated: August 17, 2026

About Birla Carbon Canada

Birla Carbon Canada Ltd. (BCC), located in Hamilton, Ontario, has been part of the community since 1962. The facility manufactures carbon black, a material used in everyday products such as tires, plastics, and coatings, through a controlled thermal process.

BCC is ISO 14001 certified, an internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems, and holds ISCC Plus and IATF 16949 certifications.

BCC is a founding member of the Hamilton Industrial Environmental Association (HIEA), which gives the local community a channel to raise concerns and exchange information, and is also a member of the Hamilton Air Monitoring Network (HAMN).

About Carbon Black

Carbon black is a highly engineered, microscopic product composed essentially of carbon. It’s safe, and it’s everywhere. Whenever you use something black, it probably contains carbon black. In fact, it is hard to imagine a world without carbon black. It plays an important role in key areas of our lives.

For example: Movement, because it makes tires safer and stronger for longer and makes transportation more comfortable. Food, because it enables more efficient and better farming through water management for irrigation, retention, and UV protection.  Health, because it provides access to water through plastic pipes and seals that prevent leaks. In everyday society, where you can find it in clothes, shoes, toys, banknotes, and printing ink, providing a deeper black that lasts longer. And power, because it is a key component of wires, computers, and technology that make lives easier.

Carbon black makes the world more accessible and connected. It makes life more comfortable and convenient, ensuring the products that contain it are safer and last longer.

Birla Carbon’s manufacturing process uses natural gas and electricity as energy sources to produce carbon black.  Birla Carbon does not use coal or coal tar in its process.

FAQs

Birla Carbon is working with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to understand the composition of the material and its source.

Soot is a general term for fine black particles produced by incomplete combustion, which can come from a wide range of sources, including vehicle exhaust, intense industrial activities, and wildfires.

Carbon black is a fine black powder produced through a controlled combustion process. It is used in everyday products such as tires, plastics, and inks. For independent information on carbon black and health, please visit the International Carbon Black Association’s website: www.carbon-black.org.

Soot and carbon black appear similar to the naked eye. Determining whether a material is carbon black or another substance requires detailed technical analysis.

Birla Carbon has invested millions of dollars at our Hamilton site to improve our operations and reduce the environmental impact on the surrounding community. The company works closely with the MECP to ensure compliance and promptly report any issues so they can be investigated and quickly resolved.

The company understands that residents may see claims in the news or on social media. The company can respond only after the MECP shares its findings and Birla Carbon concerns are clarified by MECP. This page will always reflect the company’s most current, confirmed information.

Identifying and confirming a material like this accurately takes time. Testing has to be conducted, analyzed, and reviewed, often independently, before results can be confirmed.

Birla Carbon is committed to sharing verified information as it becomes available. This webpage will be updated periodically, and any significant developments will be communicated through appropriate channels.

Birla Carbon is continually reviewing its operations and environmental controls, and implements corrective measures where required.

The exact composition of the material is under investigation by MECP. Birla Carbon is fully cooperating with the authorities and will share more information as it becomes available.

For general reference: carbon black is a well-studied material used in everyday products such as tires, plastics, coatings, and inks. The applications of carbon black are found in many household products used daily worldwide.

Independent health and safety information about carbon black is available from the International Carbon Black Association (ICBA) at www.carbon-black.org.

Birla Carbon recognizes its responsibility as a member of the Hamilton community and takes residents’ concerns seriously. The company is engaging constructively with officials and will continue to take appropriate measures based on verified findings.

Certificates

Sustainability at Birla Carbon

Share the Future

Sustainability is central to how Birla Carbon operates, guided by our Share the Future strategy and its focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, including a global commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Purpose – Share the Strength

At Birla Carbon, our purpose is – Share the Strength. It starts with carbon itself – the strength it lends to the tires, plastics, and everyday products people rely on. But we view strength as something bigger than the material we make. It’s also about the bonds we build, with our employees, our partners, and the communities where we operate, including here in Hamilton.

Supporting communities in Canada

Hamilton