Cabot plans carbon black masterbatch manufacturing plant at Dubai

29-May-08

In a bid to better meet the increasing demand of its customers in the Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific regions, Cabot Corporation plans to build a carbon black masterbatch manufacturing facility in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai. Initial production capacity of 25,000 tpa will have provision to expand to 75,000 tons in the future. Land has been acquired for the project and construction is scheduled to begin later this year. Production is scheduled to start in H2-2009. The Middle East is emerging as a major producer of polyolefins and downstream compounds in recent years, and plans to expand capacity in the region so that by 2010 the region will produce 20% of the world's polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Within the Middle East there is already strong demand for PE and PP compounds for use in building infrastructure for water supply, electricity, and telecommunications projects. These are key markets for carbon black masterbatch. The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will include the latest environmental and manufacturing technologies to ensure production of high-quality masterbatch products. Laboratories, administration offices, production and packaging will all be located within the building.