Cabot to Expand Fumed Silica Capacity in Europe

Cabot Corp. CBT will expand production capacity by 25 percent at its fumed silica facility in Barry, Wales, company officials said today. The expansion is expected to be completed in 2012 and is part of a three-year plan to increase Cabot's global fumed metal oxide capacity by 35 to 40 percent. The project is an extension of Cabot's long-term partnership with Dow Corning, and will help meet rising global demand for silicones, which is expected to continue to grow at 5 to 10 percent per year over the coming decade.