Cabot Norit Activated Carbon Wins Operating Permits for New Mine in Texas

Cabot Corporation

announces that Cabot Norit Activated Carbon has received operating permits for its new mine near Marshall, Texas. As part of Cabot's strategic plan to meet the anticipated quadrupling of demand for activated carbon for use in the coal-fired utility market, this investment is expected to begin production in 2014 and produce lignite for approximately 50 years. Securing this long-term raw material source enables Cabot to deliver unmatched supply assurance and consistent product performance. Across the U.S., many states are implementing regulations and standards to reduce mercury emissions as they can create health issues such as mercury contamination of consumable fish and wildlife. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed federal mercury emission levels in the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard that are scheduled to take effect April 2015. In order to meet these requirements, many coal-fired utility companies will use activated carbon to reduce mercury emissions by up to 90 percent. As a leading supplier of activated carbon, Cabot is well positioned to be a strategic partner to coal-fired power plant owners and operators in mercury emission control today and in the future. To support this leadership position, and in addition to these operating permits for the new mine, Cabot has also secured permits and developed plans for seven new manufacturing lines in North America that give Cabot the ability to significantly increase current production capacity of their mercury control products. Utilizing the latest construction management techniques, each new line can be installed in a modular fashion in less than one year in order to support supply contracts as demand develops. In preparation for the new mine, Cabot has purchased and relocated a dragline to the new mine site.