Cabot, a worldwide specialty chemical and performance materials firm, announced that it will expand its fumed silica production plant in Barry, Wales, UK.
This expansion initiative is a part of Cabot’s three-year plan to boost its worldwide fumed metal oxide production capacity by 35% to 40%. The project will be completed in 2012.
Fumed silica is a versatile, high-purity material used as an anti-caking, suspending, thixotropic, abrasive, thickening and reinforcing agent. It has several applications in the microelectronics, construction, automotive and consumer products industries. The performance of pharmaceuticals, polishing slurries, coatings, silicone rubber, toners, inks, cosmetics, sealants and adhesives will be enhanced with the use of fumed silica.
The expansion project is an extension of the company’s successful relationship with Dow Corning. It will aid in addressing the increasing global demand for silicones. Both the companies have been working together for more than 30 years and they have a “fence-line” relationship in Barry as well as in Midland and Michigan. Cabot receives silanes from Dow Corning and they are processed to form fumed silica for use by Dow Corning in compounded silicones applications.
Cabot owns six fumed silica manufacturing plants in Asia, Europe and the United States: Jiangxi Province, China; Mettur, India; Rheinfelden, Germany; Barry, Wales; Midland, Michigan; and Tuscola, Illinois.
Source: http://www.cabot-corp.com/