Rubber World magazine featured an interview with John Loudermilk, President and CEO of Birla Carbon, in its August 2025 edition, highlighting the company's strategic focus on innovation, sustainability, and global expansion.

The conversation begins with John sharing an overview of Birla Carbon's journey, from its deep industry roots to its transformation following the landmark acquisition in 2011. He explains how the company continues to strengthen its core carbon black business while making significant investments in new technologies, greenfield and brownfield expansions, and advanced facilities that enable both growth and sustainability.

A major theme of the discussion is Continua™ Sustainable Carbonaceous Material (SCM), Birla Carbon's range of high-quality circular offerings derived from end-of-life tires. Unlike other circular products in the carbon black industry today, Continua is distinguished by its global scale, consistent quality, quantifiable sustainability benefits, and application-specific performance. John notes that rigorous quality systems and international sustainability certifications help ensure customers can rely on the material across industries.

The Q&A also touches on Birla Carbon's broader innovation agenda, including its work with bio-based feedstocks, materials for lithium-ion batteries, and advanced technologies like carbon nanotubes (CNTs) strengthened through the acquisition of Belgium-based Nanocyl. These initiatives reflect how the company is embedding sustainability into every part of its portfolio, from tires and coatings to plastics, wire, and cable applications.

Asia emerges as a particularly dynamic growth market, with India at the forefront of new opportunities. At the same time, John underscores the importance of balancing sustainability with cost-effectiveness to ensure adoption at scale.

To explore Birla Carbon's vision in more detail, including its growth strategy, approach to circularity, and its role in shaping future industries, read the full interview here.