Calgon Carbon Gets Fifth Patent for FLUEPAC - Analyst Blog

Pittsburgh, Pa.-based Calgon Carbon Corporation (CCC) has been granted the fifth patent for its FLUEPAC technology by the United States Patent & Trademark Office (U.S. P&TO). The patent was issued on May 28, 2013, and is related to the company's FLUEPAC ST and FLUEPAC STF products for flue gas treatment.

The patent covers claims related to composition of matter and methods of manufacturing FLUEPAC ST and STF products. These products eliminate mercury from systems where acid gases, such as SO3, are present. These products use 50% to 70% less activated carbon than other flue gas adsorbents, thus helping coal fired power plants to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Mercury & Air Toxics (MATS) standards.

Calgon Carbon's distinctive carbon additives are specially designed to lessen the adverse effects of acids in the flue gas while also eliminating the negative effects of other adsorption agents. This technology, combined with ultra-fine adsorbent particles, considerably increases the cost effectiveness and performance for mercury removal using FLUEPAC ST and STF products.

Calgon Carbon, a premier player in the activated carbon industry, enjoys a competitive edge banking on its innovations in the purification, separation and concentration of liquids, gases and other media.

Calgon Carbon, which competes with MeadWestvaco Corporation (MWV) among others, posted mixed first-quarter 2013 results on May 6. The company's earnings topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate, but sales fell short. While Calgon Carbon is expected to gain from its cost reduction and pricing actions, it remains exposed to currency headwinds and weakness in its equipment business.

Calgon Carbon is confident about its ability to balance the need for future investment with its responsibility to provide short-term returns. The company continues to see ballast water treatment, reactivation services and mercury removal as its basis for sustainable growth. It remains actively focused on improving margins across all regions. However, its strategic initiatives position it for significant growth in the longer term.

Calgon Carbon currently retains a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Other companies in the pollution control industry worth considering are CECO Environmental Corp. (CECE) and Versar Inc. (VSR). While CECO retains a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Versar holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).