Birla Carbon has announced a global business shake-up as it focuses on expansions in Asia in the face of weakened demand in the Americas and Europe.
The carbon additives group said on May 25 it is continuing to assess its asset base in line with market trends, as it moves to a structure focused on three business units — Asia, Americas & EMEA and specialty materials.
However, the group has yet to comment on whether any of its activities or operations in the Americas and Europe could be transferred to Asia if business does not pick up.
Batteries International also asked Birla spokesperson Roysten Dmello on June 1 what impact restructuring would have on operations supporting the global battery manufacturing sector.
As part of the shake-up Shashank Awasthi, head of sales for Asia and business head in China becomes president of specialty materials, responsible for the division globally including speciality carbon blacks and Nanocyl ― the carbon nanotube firm acquired in 2023 to strengthen Birla’s presence in the lithium battery materials sector.
Awasthi will also be responsible for multi-wall carbon nanotubes serving plastics, coatings, energy systems and non-rubber markets.
Director of technology Zachary Combs has been named global technology head with responsibility for process and product development for Birla.
Meanwhile, chief manufacturing officer Amit Kumar becomes the group’s Asia president. John Davidson, chief sales and marketing officer, becomes president of the Americas and EMEA. Both appointments have responsibility for the rubber business in their respective regions.
Birla president and CEO John Loudermilk said: “The rapid pace of change today requires a nimble organisation, empowered to make quick decisions and act. These changes will enable Birla Carbon to further strengthen partnerships, drive innovation, and create value for our customers.”
Batteries International reported in 2024 that the group was planning two new production sites, one in India and another in Thailand, to expand its carbon black production capacity by more than 240,000 tonnes.
