History

Columbian’s history dates back to the 1860s when carbon black was first utilized for industrial applications.  The company’s name today evolved from Columbian Carbon Company, which was formed in 1922 from the consolidation of several small carbon black manufacturers.  Throughout its rich history, Columbian has led the way in many areas of the carbon black industry.  Here is a sampling of the many “firsts” that Columbian Chemicals brought to the industry: 

• First to produce carbon black to reinforce rubber
• First to produce carbon black beads (Micronex Beads)
• First to produce coarse, fine, and very fine furnace black (Fumonex, Statex A, and Statex B, respectively)
• First to study the surface activity of carbon black (pH) 
• First to study the absorptivity of carbon black (DPG)
• First to use electron microscopy to study carbon black

In 1986 Columbian was acquired by Phelps Dodge Corporation and over the next two decades the company expanded its operations in Europe and acquired operations in South America and Asia. 

In 1999, Columbian opened its current Headquarters and Technology Center in Marietta, Georgia, centralizing its support functions and bringing cutting-edge technology to the carbon black industry.  In its state-of-the-art labs, Columbian Chemicals is moving rapidly into the 21st century, developing ever better carbon black products and capitalizing on its carbon-related expertise to explore new avenues of growth.

In March of 2006, Columbian was acquired by a company jointly owned by DC Chemical Co. and One Equity Partners. DC Chemical is a leading South Korean company, based in Seoul. One Equity Partners is a private equity affiliate of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.