Chemical companies Cabot Corporation and DowDuPont (or “Dow”) recently came together to launch Cabot’s new world-class fumed silica plant in western Kentucky, USA. The launch coincides with the 50thanniversary of the Dow site in Carrollton and celebrates the Company’s history of innovation through silicones chemistry.
The creation of the facility was announced in May 2017 and it is expected to start operation by 2020. The facility reflects the close working relationship between Cabot and Dow.
“This is wonderful news for the Carrollton community and the region, as we welcome new manufacturing and celebrate 50 years of innovation,” Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin said.
“Both of these companies, Cabot and Dow, bring a rich history of excellence to our state and a proud tradition of community and employee support.”
Dow and Cabot have developed a cooperative relationship as both supplier and customer to each other over the last 30 years, with current neighbouring operations in Midland, Michigan, U.S.A. and Barry, Wales, United Kingdom. Silicone products made at the Dow site are used by Cabot as a building block for producing fumed silica, an ultra-fine, high-purity particle used as a performance additive in a broad range of applications. Dow, in turn, uses Cabot’s fumed silica in its silicone products as well as by-product from Cabot’s process in its operations.
“We are proud to be a long-standing business partner and corporate citizen in Carrollton, and we are excited to recommit to the site and the community today with the groundbreaking of the new Cabot plant,” Ungerleider said. “The facility will provide a long-term supply of high quality fumed silica to Dow for use in applications for fast growing end-markets, including packaging and construction, and will support sustainable growth for Dow, Cabot and for northern Kentucky.”
“This is yet another example of our corporate strategy at play as we continue to invest and strengthen our core market capabilities,” Keohane said.
“This is a great day for Cabot as we expand our presence in North America by building adjacent to our long-time partner Dow in Carrollton. As leaders in our respective industries with a shared commitment to manufacturing and safety, health and environmental excellence, collocation in Carrollton was a natural fit. We look forward to bolstering our partnership, the local economy and community with our new operation.”