Cabot eyes expanding elastomer composites

Kuala Lumpur – Cabot Corp. has reviewed long-term growth plans for its composite elastomers in Port Dickson, Malaysia, with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, the company has announced.

The Boston-based company has been carrying out liquid mixing of elastomer composites at the site since 1995 and was under a 10-year exclusive technology license with Michelin until recently.

In 2017, Cabot announced an investment to expand the elastomer composites product line to serve a broader customer base.

Recently, said a 10 May company release, Cabot has been working to commercialise new products with a select set of end users.

The customers, according to Cabot, “have field tests completed or underway in multiple tire and industrial rubber products applications.”

According to Cabot, its elastomer composites are made primarily of natural rubber and reinforcing materials such as carbon black.

The materials, it added, are “structurally different from compounds produced by conventional methods,” and are produced through a patented mixing process.

Demand for the products is driven by a need to improve the performance, safety and durability of tires and other products.

With progressive customer programmes and an expected rise in demand, Cabot said it will continue investing in its capabilities to manufacture such products.

The products, according to the company, offer “dramatic improvements” in rubber properties such as reduced energy loss and higher resistance to abrasion, cutting or chipping.