Phelps Dodge green-lights Columbian plant in Brazil

Marietta, Georgia --Columbian Chemicals Co. has been given the green light to build a $67 million carbon black plant in Camacari, Brazil, by parent Phelps Dodge Corp.

The facility, due on stream in the first quarter of 2007, will be rated initially at 55 000 tonnes a year, the company said, with the capability to be expanded as demand warrants.

Columbian chose Camacari, in Brazil's Bahia state, because of the concentration of tyre plants there, said James Berresse, president and ceo. Pirelli SpA has two plants already operating in Camacari, and Bridgestone Corp. and Continental AG both have committed to building operations there.

Columbian received construction permits in June from Bahian environmental authorities and has all of the necessary permits and approvals to proceed with the project. The company completed the preliminary engineering and economic analysis earlier this year.

The company already operates a plant in Cubatao, Brazil.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)

Press release from Columbian