Additive and masterbatch manufacturer Cabot (Boston, Massachusetts / USA; www.cabot-corp.com) has opened a black masterbatch production facility in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai / UAE. The plant has an initial production capacity of 25,000 t/y with provision to expand to 75,000 t/y. Production is scheduled to commence in August 2010.

The facility has been built to meet anticipated increasing demand from the Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. Commenting on the new facility, Sean Keohane, Cabot vice president and general manager for the performance segment, said, “Within the Middle East there is already a strong demand for polyethylene and polypropylene compounds for use in building infrastructure for water supply, electricity, and telecommunications projects. These are key applications for black masterbatch."