Black masterbatch output surges

High performance masterbatches are used in all segments of the plastics industry. With rising demand for plastics products in the Middle East, masterbatch production also needs to catch up to meet the region's varying requirements. A leading global supplier of masterbatches with over 40 years experience in design, development and commercialisation of products, Cabot Corporation has opened a new masterbatch facility in Dubai inside the Jebel Ali Industrial Free Trade Zone, in very close proximity to the deep-sea port of Jebel Ali. Cabot is a global performance materials company and operates manufacturing facilities located in several locations around the world. Cabot's major products are carbon black, fumed silica, inkjet colorants, aerogels, capacitor materials, and cesium formate drilling fluids. The black, white, grey and additive masterbatches as well as conductive compounds are marketed respectively under the trademarks PLASBLAK®, PLASWITE®, PLASGREY®, PLASADD® and CABELEC®. Cabot's masterbatches and conductive compounds include industry standard, application-focused and tailor-made products for individual customer's needs. All masterbatches and conductive compounds are manufactured and supplied in dust-free regular pellet form to offer customers ease of handling, to avoid contamination problems and ensure a safe and clean environment. Black masterbatch formulations from Dubai facility The footprint of this new facility in Dubai allows for minimum three large-scale units. The plant will be commissioning the first unit over the next months, with a name plate capacity of approximately 25,000 tonnes of black masterbatch. "This state-of-the-art production technology will allow for a wide range of black masterbatch formulations to be produced covering all relevant plastics applications. That being said our Dubai facility will be part of our global network of production assets, hence we will optimise production grade range across this entire network," according to Cabot's General Manager Filip Smeets. The manufacturing facility includes the latest environmental and manufacturing technologies to ensure production of high-quality masterbatch products. Laboratories, administration offices, production and packaging are located within the building. "The Middle East has become and will further grow as the primary global hub for polymer production." - Mr. Filip Smeets, General Manager A key driver for Cabot to invest in the Middle East is the prospect of growing demand in the region for masterbatches. The Middle East has become and will further grow as the primary global hub for polymer production, stressed Mr. Smeets. The obvious cost advantages linked to the feedstock integration in the region is expected to be doubled by a strong political will to develop downstream industry, hence plastics converters industry are expected to create employment opportunities for the growing population in the region. In recent years, the Middle East has become a major producer of polyolefins and downstream compounds and starting this year, it is estimated to produce one-fifth of the world's PE and PP supply. "Secondly, we see equal growth opportunity for our products in India and Southeast Asia. The Dubai-based production is an ideal location to serve those markets efficiently," says Mr. Smeets. By being in Dubai, the company can serve its customers in the region and take advantage of the logistical services, ease of doing business and other incentives accorded to locators in the zone. Cabot's leadership position in black masterbatch has been built over the decades that customers prefer it for its superior quality and consistency. The company has been a reliable supplier and has acquired excellent formulations know-how that has enabled it to serve customers in diverse markets. "The fact thatNike Ambassador 11