Cabot to build fumed silica plants in the USA and China

On 25 May 2017, Cabot Corporation announced that it has committed to build a new plant for Cab-O-Sil fumed silica in Carrollton, KY, USA.

The plant will be adjacent to the existing Dow Corning silicone monomer plant and is an extension of Cabot’s long-term relationship with Dow Corning. The two companies have been partners for more than thirty years, with current neighbouring operations in Midland, MI, USA and Barry, Wales, UK. Subject to obtaining the necessary government and regulatory approvals, construction of the plant is expected to begin in late-2017 and be operational by 2020. Details on the investment volume and on the capacity of the new plant were not disclosed.

Furthermore, on 7 June 2017 Cabot announced that the company and its joint venture partner Inner Mongolia Hengyecheng Silicone Co., Ltd. (HYC) broke ground on a new fumed silica manufacturing facility in Wuhai, China. The partners are investing approximately USD 60 million to build the facility, with Cabot owning an 80 % equity interest. In this relationship, Cabot brings fumed silica production technology, while HYC will provide a long-term source of feedstock. The plant will have a capacity of 8,000 t/y and is scheduled to be completed in 2019. Cabot has operated in China for nearly 30 years and currently has manufacturing sites in Shanghai, Xingtai, Jiangxi, and Tianjin.

www.cabotcorp.com
www.dowcorning.com
www.hengyecheng.com