Michelin licensing Cabot mixing technology

ERJ staff report (BC)

Boston, Massachusetts - Groupe Michelin has agreed to pay carbon black producer Cabot Corp. royalties for the coming 10 years for the exclusive use of Cabot's patented liquid-phase rubber mixing technology, reports Tire Business.

The two companies have developed the process jointly over the past four years. Cabot did not specify the value of the payments.

The company describes the patented technology as a liquid-based mixing process that delivers superior dispersion of reinforcing agents such as carbon black within the elastomer. This creates composites that display unique properties, Cabot claims.

The agreement with Michelin gives the French tire maker exclusive rights to use Cabot's elastomer composite process technology for tire applications and entitles Michelin to build and operate plants that use this technology.

"This royalty agreement is the continuation of a prosperous and long-term relationship with Michelin, as well as a significant new business opportunity for Cabot," said Cabot President and CEO Patrick Prevost. "The agreement highlights Cabot's technology leadership and deep commitment to developing innovative solutions for the tire industry."

In disclosing the arrangement, Cabot said its elastomer composites technology presents Michelin with new tire design opportunities.

Non-tire rubber product makers can take advantage of this technology directly from Cabot through its Transfinity brand of elastomer composite products, which Cabot said offer users the opportunity to engineer longer lasting and/or smaller products for demanding applications in the mining, defense, automotive and aerospace industries.