Cabot raises prices for speciality carbons in Europe

Boston, Massachusetts – Cabot Corp. is implementing a price increase for speciality carbon black products manufactured in Europe, effective 1 Jan 2020 or as contracts allow. 

The price increase results from new low-sulphur fuel regulations, which will be implemented in January 2020, Cabot said in a release 16 Dec. 

The price increase, said Cabot, will vary depending on the product and manufacturing plant.

Cabot cited the changes to the 2020 International Maritime Organisation (IMO 2020) sulphur regulation as the reason for the price rise. 

The company said it produces its speciality carbon blacks from low-sulphur feedstocks that are sourced from a similar pool as marine fuels. 

Also known as MARPOL, the regulations are already impacting the carbon black industry and are resulting in higher pricing for speciality carbon feedstock, Cabot noted. 

In addition, freight costs are also expected to increase for shipments from Europe to other regions.

“Cabot recognises that IMO 2020 will bring long-term benefits to the environment and human health, however it also introduces new costs across multiple industries,” the company concluded.