Cabot breaks ground on China silica plant

Wuhai, China –  Cabot Corp. and joint venture partner Inner Mongolia Hengyecheng Silicone Co. Ltd (HYC) broke ground 7 Jun on a new fumed silica manufacturing facility in Wuhai.

The $60-million project is scheduled to be completed in 2019, said a statement by Cabot, which holds an 80% stake in the venture.

The 8,000 tonnes/year facility will use the US partner’s fumed silica production technology, while HYC will provide feedstock.

Cabot said its process offer advanced levels of energy-efficiency and recycling of by-product streams.

Fumed silica is used as an additive in silicone elastomers, composites, adhesives, coatings, energy storage and consumer goods.

The new facility “will allow us to better serve our customers in parts of China where we expect to see significant growth and development in the coming years,” said Nick Cross, executive vice president and president, performance chemicals, at Cabot.

Cross added that the unit would help Cabot keep pace with growing global demand and reinforce its ‘responsible care’ manufacturing effort.

In China, Cabot currently operates manufacturing sites in Shanghai, Xingtai, Jiangxi and Tianjin.