Cabot Corporation

What Cabot Corporation does

Cabot Corporation is a Boston-headquartered, NYSE-listed (CBT) global specialty chemicals and performance materials company founded in 1882. It manufactures a broad portfolio including carbon blacks and reinforcing carbons for tires and rubber, fumed silica (CAB-O-SIL) for pharmaceutical, food and industrial uses, LUMIRA aerogel insulation, conductive carbons and dispersions (LITX, CABELEC) for lithium-ion batteries, activated carbons for air and water purification, carbon nanotubes, graphene, elastomer composites (E2C), and fine cesium chemicals. Underpinning these are proprietary technology platforms such as EVOLVE Sustainable Solutions (circular reinforcing carbons from end-of-life tire pyrolysis oil, with 13 ISCC PLUS certified sites globally), E2C Engineered Elastomer Composites (patented mixing process for off-the-road tires), and ENTERA Aerogel Particles (ultra-thin thermal barriers for EV batteries).

The company operates two reporting segments: Reinforcement Materials (carbon black for tires and industrial rubber, the largest by revenue, currently under pressure with a 3% YoY revenue decline and 29% EBIT drop in Q2 FY2026 due to Asian pricing pressure) and Performance Chemicals (fumed silica, aerogels, specialty carbons, battery materials, and activated carbon, up 18% in EBIT in Q2 FY2026, with Battery Materials growing 43% YoY). Cabot sells primarily through direct enterprise field sales with multi-year negotiated contracts to large tire OEMs (Bridgestone, and broader tire industry seeking 40% sustainable materials by 2030), EV battery manufacturers (PowerCo SE / Volkswagen Group), industrial rubber and plastics compounders, environmental infrastructure operators, and consumer/pharmaceutical players. Distribution is supplemented by the Cabot Sanmar joint venture in India, regional distributors, and a make-in-region/sell-in-region global manufacturing footprint spanning the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific. FY2026 guidance is adjusted EPS of $6.00-$6.50 against a 2025 revenue base of approximately $3.7B.

Recent strategic emphasis has shifted toward circular and battery materials: the EVOLVE platform now spans 13 certified sites; LITX conductive carbons were named a Top 10 exhibit at CIIE 2025; the PowerCo SE agreement anchors European EV battery supply; Mexico Carbon Manufacturing was acquired from Bridgestone for $70M in February 2026; and the Cabot Sanmar JV committed $25M to double India fumed silica capacity by late 2027. Offsetting this offensive agenda is a defensive 120,000-metric-ton capacity rationalization in Argentina and the Netherlands targeting $22M in annualized savings by mid-2027.

Name

Cabot Corporation

Legal name

Cabot Corporation

Website

https://cabotcorp.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1882

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Cabot Corporation is a global specialty chemicals and performance materials company that supplies carbon black, fumed silica, aerogels, conductive carbons and battery materials to tire, EV battery, infrastructure, environmental and consumer industries through direct enterprise sales and a worldwide manufacturing footprint.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Chemicals and Performance Materials

NAICS

Carbon and Graphite Product Manufacturing (335991), Chemical Manufacturing (325)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Fabricated Rubber Products, Nec (3060)

akta.pro primary industry

Carbon Black & Bulk Pigments (IMAEAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Carbon‑Based Carbon Materials (graphite, carbon black, CNTs, graphene from CO₂/CO) (EUABAIAG)

Keywords

• Specialty chemicals
• Carbon black
• Performance materials
• Fumed silica
• Battery materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Reinforcement Materials Segment: Reinforcement materials (carbon black) for tire and rubber applications. Revenue declined 3% year-over-year in Q2 FY2026 to $904 million total company revenue. EBIT for this segment fell 29% due to lower pricing and competitive intensity in Asia Pacific, though volumes increased 3% globally. This is the largest segment by revenue.
2. Performance Chemicals Segment: Performance chemicals including fumed silica, aerogels, specialty carbons, battery materials, and activated carbon. This segment delivered 18% EBIT growth in Q2 FY2026 driven by 43% year-over-year revenue growth in Battery Materials. Strong momentum in battery materials and specialty carbons is offsetting weakness in reinforcement materials.
3. Battery Materials: Conductive carbons, aerogels, and related materials sold to lithium-ion battery manufacturers for EV and energy storage applications. This is the fastest-growing revenue stream with 43% year-over-year growth, driven by multi-year supply agreements with major EV battery manufacturers like PowerCo SE.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cabot Corporation manufactures and sells specialty chemicals and performance materials, including carbon blacks and reinforcing carbons for tires and rubber products, fumed silica for industrial and pharmaceutical applications, aerogels (LUMIRA, ENTERA) for insulation and EV battery thermal management, conductive carbons and battery materials for lithium-ion batteries, activated carbon for purification, elastomer composites (E2C), carbon nanotubes, graphene, masterbatches, and cesium chemicals. The company serves transportation, infrastructure, environment, and consumer industries through direct enterprise sales and global manufacturing operations.

Product overview

Cabot Corporation is a leading global specialty chemicals and performance materials company offering a diversified portfolio of advanced materials. The company's core products include carbon blacks and reinforcing carbons for tires and rubber products, fumed silica for industrial and pharmaceutical applications, aerogels (LUMIRA®) for insulation and daylighting, and battery materials including conductive carbons, carbon nanotubes, and graphene for energy storage. The EVOLVE Sustainable Solutions platform enables circular economy products using recycled content. Cabot serves transportation, infrastructure, environment, and consumer industries with products designed for performance, efficiency, and sustainability applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EVOLVE Sustainable Solutions: Technology platform for circular reinforcing carbons using tire pyrolysis oil from end-of-life tires.
• PROPEL E8
• 2030 Sustainability Goals
• LITX
• CABELEC
• REPLASBLAK
• BIOPLASBLAK
• E2C DX9660S
• LUMIRA Aerogel

Products and services

• Carbon Blacks / Reinforcing Carbons Reinforcing carbon blacks and engineered reinforcing carbons used as the primary reinforcing filler in tire compounds (passenger, truck, bus, race, off-the-road), rubber products, and industrial rubber applications. Sold to global tire OEMs and rubber product manufacturers.
• Fumed Silica (CAB-O-SIL) High-purity fumed silica sold under the CAB-O-SIL trademark, used as pharmaceutical excipients, food and personal care additives, anti-caking and thickening agents, and reinforcing fillers in silicone rubbers and industrial formulations. Sold to pharmaceutical, personal care, food and beverage, and industrial customers globally.
• LUMIRA Aerogel Aerogel daylighting and insulation product for architectural daylighting systems, building insulation, construction, aerospace, and subsea pipeline insulation. Sold to construction, infrastructure, and industrial customers.
• ENTERA Aerogel Particles Aerogel particle portfolio designed for ultra-thin thermal barriers in EV lithium-ion battery packs, enhancing thermal management and extending vehicle range. Sold to EV battery manufacturers and automotive OEMs.
• LITX Conductive Carbons Conductive carbon products and dispersions including LITX 95F used in lithium-ion battery electrodes to enhance battery conductivity, energy density, charging speed, and battery life. Sold to EV and energy storage battery manufacturers.
• Battery Materials Portfolio Integrated portfolio of advanced materials for lithium-ion batteries, lead-acid batteries, and fuel cells, including conductive carbon blacks, carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoplatelets, carbon nanostructures, fumed silica, fumed alumina, and aerogels. Sold to battery cell manufacturers and automotive OEMs.
• Activated Carbons Activated carbon products for air purification, water treatment, gas purification, chemical purification, pharmaceutical purification, industrial mercury control, and solvent recovery. Sold to industrial processors, municipal water utilities, and pharmaceutical manufacturers, including through regional distributors.
• Specialty Carbons and Masterbatches Specialty carbon blacks and masterbatches for plastics, coatings, printing inks, and industrial applications requiring specific color, conductivity, UV protection, and performance characteristics. Includes CABELEC conductive concentrates for ESD protection. Sold to plastics compounders and industrial manufacturers.
• PROPEL E8 Engineered Reinforcing Carbon Black Engineered reinforcing carbon black designed specifically for electric vehicle tire compounds. Sold to global tire OEMs developing EV-specific tire formulations.
• E2C Engineered Elastomer Composites Proprietary engineered elastomer composites made primarily of natural rubber and reinforcing materials using a patented mixing process, proven to lower operating temperatures and extend tire life in off-the-road tire applications. Sold to off-the-road tire manufacturers and industrial rubber product makers.
• REPLASBLAK Circular Black Masterbatches Circular black masterbatches powered by EVOLVE Sustainable Solutions, enabling use of recycled content in plastics applications. Sold to plastics compounders and consumer product manufacturers.
• BIOPLASBLAK Biodegradable Black Masterbatch Biodegradable black masterbatch products for sustainable plastics applications, including BIOPLASBLAK XP5650A/B. Sold to plastics compounders and consumer product manufacturers seeking biodegradable materials.
• Carbon Nanotubes Carbon nanotube additives used in lithium-ion batteries and energy storage systems to improve energy density, cycle life, fast charging, and low-temperature capacity. Sold to battery cell manufacturers and energy storage system producers.
• Graphenes Graphene nanoplatelets with unique thin platelet morphology that improve elastomer compound performance and functionality for tire applications and other advanced materials. Sold to tire manufacturers and advanced materials companies.
• Fine Cesium Chemicals Cesium-based specialty chemicals used in radiation detection devices, x-ray applications, brazing fluxes, titanium dioxide manufacturing, and other specialty chemical applications. Sold to industrial and scientific instrument customers.
• Inkjet Colorants Aqueous pigment dispersions for inkjet printing applications including retail shelf-ready packaging, point-of-sale displays, packaging, books, and direct mail. Sold to ink and printing industry customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 43% year-over-year revenue growth in Battery Materials segment in Q2 FY2026
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Sanmar GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Cabot Sanmar is a joint venture between Cabot Corporation and The Sanmar Group in India. The joint venture announced a Rs 220 crore ($25 million) expansion of its fumed silica manufacturing facility in Mettur, Tamil Nadu, aiming to double capacity by late 2027. The expansion supports growing domestic demand in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, semiconductors, and energy storage applications. The JV emphasizes long-term manufacturing commitments in India and focuses on meeting India's advanced manufacturing sector needs.
• Bridgestone CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2026Cabot completed its acquisition of Mexico Carbon Manufacturing S.A. de C.V. (MXCB) from Bridgestone Corporation for $70 million on February 2, 2026. The transaction reinforces the existing partnership where Cabot has historically supplied Bridgestone with reinforcing carbon products. The acquired facility in Altamira, Mexico is strategically located near Cabot's existing plant and enhances Cabot's production capacity and operational flexibility for reinforcing carbon products. Bridgestone divested this asset as part of its exit from most of its carbon black production business.
• PowerCo SE (Volkswagen Group)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 January 2026Cabot Corporation signed a multi-year supply agreement with PowerCo SE, Volkswagen Group's battery manufacturing subsidiary, to supply advanced conductive carbons and conductive dispersions for use in lithium-ion battery electrodes for electric vehicles. The agreement positions Cabot as one of the leading conductive materials suppliers in the European EV battery market and is expected to contribute meaningfully to the company's growth in battery materials. Materials are designed to enhance battery conductivity, energy density, charging speed, and battery life for next-generation EVs. This partnership supports the global transition to clean energy and electrified transportation.
• International Carbon Black Association (ICBA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Cabot completed a collaborative initiative with the International Carbon Black Association to develop an industry-wide life cycle assessment methodology for furnace carbon black, advancing sustainability measurement and transparency across the carbon black industry.
• U.S. Department of EnergyminorOthers · 18 April 2024Cabot and partners were selected by the U.S. Department of Energy for a $5 million grant supporting advanced materials research and development.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Orion S.A. Orion is a global producer of carbon black serving rubber, specialty, and inkjet applications. Directly competes with Cabot in commodity and specialty carbon black for tire reinforcement and is the most comparable pure-play carbon black peer.
• Birla Carbon (Aditya Birla Group): Birla Carbon is one of the world's largest carbon black manufacturers, serving tire, industrial rubber, and specialty applications globally. Direct competitor to Cabot across tire-grade and specialty carbon blacks with comparable global manufacturing footprint.
• Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd. Tokai Carbon produces carbon black, graphite electrodes, fine carbon, and smelting materials. Overlaps with Cabot in carbon black for tires and rubber as well as in carbon/graphite materials for industrial and battery uses.
• Continental Carbon: Continental Carbon is a privately held carbon black producer with operations in the US, Europe, and Asia. Direct competitor to Cabot in commodity and specialty carbon black for rubber and tire applications.
• Evonik Industries AG: Evonik produces fumed silica (AEROSIL) and specialty additives that compete directly with Cabot's CAB-O-SIL fumed silica line in silicones, coatings, pharma, and battery applications. Closest direct competitor in fumed silica and a meaningful comparable in specialty additives.
• Wacker Chemie AG: Wacker produces HDK fumed silica and silicone specialties that overlap with Cabot's fumed silica business for silicones, electronics, and pharma. A direct competitor in pyrogenic silica and adjacent specialty silicones.
• Asbury Carbons Inc. Asbury Carbons manufactures carbon and graphite products including specialty carbons, conductive carbons, and activated carbons. Overlaps with Cabot's specialty carbons, conductive additives for batteries, and activated carbon product lines.

Emerging players

• Omsk Carbon Group: Omsk Carbon is a Russia-based carbon black producer supplying tire and industrial rubber customers across Eastern Europe and Asia. Competes with Cabot in commodity-grade reinforcing carbons and contributes to the Asia/EMEA pricing pressure cited by Cabot management.
• Phillips Carbon Black Limited (RPG Group): Phillips Carbon Black is an Indian carbon black producer serving tire, industrial rubber, and specialty applications, with growing international presence. Competes with Cabot in commodity and specialty carbon black, particularly in India and other Asia-Pacific markets.

Broad incumbents

• Imerys S.A. Imerys is a global specialty minerals producer including carbon-based solutions for batteries, rubber, and industrial applications. Comparable to Cabot in providing functional mineral and carbon additives to tire, battery, and industrial customers, though broader and more minerals-focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CabotCorp
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCEgkEp_XKJKxQ2fzrSOBUYQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/CabotCorporation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cabot-corporation

Compliance13 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A7 records

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cabot Corporation