US specialty chemicals producer Cabot (Boston, Massachusetts; www.cabot-corp.com) and Risun Chemicals Company have started construction of their joint venture carbon black plant in Xingtai / China. Cabot, which will hold a 60% stake in the venture, said the USD 140m (EUR 107m) project is scheduled to be completed in mid-2013.

The project will have an initial capacity of 130,000 t/y, raising Cabot’s carbon black manufacturing capacity in China by 25%. Cabot will contribute its technology and market knowledge to the venture, while Risun will provide the feedstocks and energy integration with its current operations.

Output will meet growing demand from China’s automotive sector. The country’s motor vehicle fleet is expected to reach 315m vehicles over the next 10 years, from 102m today, according to market research company IHS Automotive.

“Our customers are increasingly demanding high performance materials to make their products more efficient,” said Dave Miller, president of Cabot’s core segment. “Our plant in Xingtai will be designed to deliver high performance carbon black products that are engineered to meet China’s emerging demand for higher performance reinforcing materials for tyres and industrial rubber products.”