Organization and principal activities	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2018
Corporate Information And Statement Of IFRS Compliance [Abstract]
Organization and principal activities	Organization and principal activities Orion Engineered Carbons S.A. (“Orion” or the "Company") is entered in the commercial register of Luxembourg under no. B 160558; the Company’s registered office is in Luxembourg; its business address is 6, Route de Trèves, L-2633 Senningerberg (Municipality of Niederanven), Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Orion’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements comprise Orion and its subsidiaries (the “Orion Group” or the “Group”). Orion was incorporated on April 13, 2011. Orion’s fiscal year is the calendar year. Orion Group is a leading global manufacturer of carbon black products and is based in Luxembourg. Carbon black is a powdered form of carbon that is used to create the desired physical, electrical and optical qualities of various materials. Carbon black products are primarily used as consumables and additives for the production of polymers, printing inks and coatings (“Specialty Carbon Black” or “Specialties”) and in the reinforcement of rubber polymers (“Rubber Carbon Black” or “Rubber”). Specialty Carbon Black are high-tech materials which are mainly used for polymers, printing systems and coatings applications. The various production processes result in a wide range of different Specialty Carbon Black pigment grades with respect to their primary particle size, structure and surface area/surface chemistry. These parameters affect jetness, tinting strength, undertone, dispersibility, oil absorption, electrical conductivity and other characteristics. The types of Rubber Carbon Black used in the rubber industry are manufactured according to strict specifications and quality standards. Structure and specific surface area are the key factors in optimizing reinforcement properties in rubber polymers. As at June 30, 2018, the Orion Group operates 12 wholly owned production facilities in Europe, North and South America, Asia and South Africa and three sales companies. Another ten holding companies and two service companies, as well as two former operating entities in Portugal and France (currently in dissolution), are consolidated in the Orion Group. In June 2018 production ceased at the Bupyeong plant in South Korea and was consolidated into the second production plant in South Korea located in Yeosu. Additionally, the Group operates a joint venture with one production facility in Germany. Orion’s global presence enables it to supply Specialty Carbon Black customers as well as international customers in the tire and rubber industry with the full range of carbon black grades and particle sizes. Sales activities are supported by sales and representative offices all around the globe. Integrated sales activities with key account managers and customer services are carried out in the United States, Brazil, South Korea, Germany and China. The Group’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements were authorized for issue by management on August 2, 2018.

Organization and principal activities

Orion Engineered Carbons S.A. (“Orion” or the "Company") is entered in the commercial register of Luxembourg under no. B 160558; the Company’s registered office is in Luxembourg; its business address is 6, Route de Trèves, L-2633 Senningerberg (Municipality of Niederanven), Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Orion’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements comprise Orion and its subsidiaries (the “Orion Group” or the “Group”). Orion was incorporated on April 13, 2011. Orion’s fiscal year is the calendar year.

Orion Group is a leading global manufacturer of carbon black products and is based in Luxembourg. Carbon black is a powdered form of carbon that is used to create the desired physical, electrical and optical qualities of various materials. Carbon black products are primarily used as consumables and additives for the production of polymers, printing inks and coatings (“Specialty Carbon Black” or “Specialties”) and in the reinforcement of rubber polymers (“Rubber Carbon Black” or “Rubber”).

Specialty Carbon Black are high-tech materials which are mainly used for polymers, printing systems and coatings applications. The various production processes result in a wide range of different Specialty Carbon Black pigment grades with respect to their primary particle size, structure and surface area/surface chemistry. These parameters affect jetness, tinting strength, undertone, dispersibility, oil absorption, electrical conductivity and other characteristics.

The types of Rubber Carbon Black used in the rubber industry are manufactured according to strict specifications and quality standards. Structure and specific surface area are the key factors in optimizing reinforcement properties in rubber polymers.

As at June 30, 2018, the Orion Group operates 12 wholly owned production facilities in Europe, North and South America, Asia and South Africa and three sales companies. Another ten holding companies and two service companies, as well as two former operating entities in Portugal and France (currently in dissolution), are consolidated in the Orion Group. In June 2018 production ceased at the Bupyeong plant in South Korea and was consolidated into the second production plant in South Korea located in Yeosu. Additionally, the Group operates a joint venture with one production facility in Germany.

Orion’s global presence enables it to supply Specialty Carbon Black customers as well as international customers in the tire and rubber industry with the full range of carbon black grades and particle sizes. Sales activities are supported by sales and representative offices all around the globe. Integrated sales activities with key account managers and customer services are carried out in the United States, Brazil, South Korea, Germany and China.

The Group’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements were authorized for issue by management on August 2, 2018.