Cabot Corp to invest in new sustainable rubber technology in Malaysia

THE global speciality chemicals and performance materials company plans to increase its staff strength by over 30 per cent, and install digital controls and automation systems to further expand manufacturing of its Engineered Elastomer Composites (E2C) solutions which was launched last year.

"The company is also signing a long-term extension and expansion of its land lease in Port Dickson," it said in a joint statement with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) on Friday.

Cabot aims to lead and advance rubber technology through specific innovations such as new tools for modelling and optimisation of liquid mixing, novel methods for characterising elastomer composites, as well as automation of continuous rubber processing.

MIDA chief executive officer Datuk Azman Mahmud expressed his confidence in Cabot to benefit from Malaysia's solid chemical industry ecosystem, backed by an investor-friendly business environment, policies and availability of skilled workers in the country.

"The investment by Cabot is a testament to Malaysia's resilient business environment and promising returns to investors," he said.

As partners to investors, Azman said MIDA remains committed to driving high-quality and knowledge-driven projects into Malaysia, in line with the national investment agenda for long-term sustainable economic growth.

Meanwhile, Cabot Engineered Elastomer Composites vice-president and general manager David Reynolds said Cabot's plant in Malaysia has been a key asset for the company to develop and expand the portfolio of elastomer composites solutions.

"As such, we are committed to continuing to partner with MIDA to strengthen our investments in Port Dickson and support the growth of this high-performance product line," he said.

Cabot's E2C solution is a new category of performance rubber composites based on a proprietary liquid mixing process for natural rubber latex, including three commercially viable products for off-the-road mining tyre applications.

The solution was also named in the European Rubber Journal's inaugural Top 10 Elastomers for Sustainability List in July 2020.

-- BERNAMA