Research and Development In our quest for innovative solutions, we maintain three laboratories, each designed to support our various processing technologies with market product applications as well as a spectrum of focused research and development activities. To compliment these activities we work with national laboratories and universities on programs of interest for materials technology advancement. • The High Temperature Research Center in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, USA, focuses research on the thermal purification of carbon and graphite along with the high temperature synthesis of advanced ceramic materials. On-going research and support work is given to further development of the patented Desulco‚ carbon process for the desulfurization of petroleum cokes and other materials. • The Peter R. Carney Technology Center, one of North America’s largest research and development centers for carbon and graphite products, was established in Chicago, Illinois, USA in 1997. Teams of highly-qualified professionals focus on the development of new and improved products using our expertise in milling, particle sizing, classification, surface treatments, dispersion and electrochemistry. • The Electrode Research Center at the Russellville, Arkansas, USA laboratory supports the production of ARK graphite electrodes and other extruded and/or heat treated carbon and graphite products. Activities include new product and process developments leveraging our knowledge with pitch bonding/impregnation, batch heat-treating and continuous-graphitization technologies.