Cabot Corporation Launches New PROPEL® E8 Engineered Reinforcing Carbon Black for Tire Tread Applications

Rhea-AI Summary

Cabot (NYSE: CBT) launches PROPEL E8 engineered reinforcing carbon black to enhance durability and efficiency in electric vehicle and high-performance tire formulations. The product aims to address challenges posed by EVs, such as increased tire wear, by providing low rolling resistance and increased tread durability.

Insights

Materials Engineer

The launch of Cabot Corporation's PROPEL® E8 engineered reinforcing carbon black represents a significant advancement in materials engineering for the automotive industry. This product directly addresses the increased wear and tear on tires caused by the heavier weight and higher torque of electric vehicles (EVs). The ability of PROPEL E8 to provide low rolling resistance while increasing tread durability is a noteworthy development, as it has the potential to extend tire life and reduce the frequency of tire replacement.

From a materials perspective, the comparison with traditional ASTM carbon blacks is crucial. The PROPEL E8's performance against ASTM N200 and N100 grades indicates a superior balance between stiffness and resistance to abrasion, which is essential for maintaining tire integrity under the unique demands of EVs. This balance is not easily achieved, as low rolling resistance typically comes at the cost of reduced durability. The innovative formulation of PROPEL E8 appears to overcome this trade-off.

Sustainability Analyst

From a sustainability standpoint, the introduction of PROPEL E8 by Cabot Corporation is poised to make a positive impact on the environment. By enhancing the lifespan of tires, this product could lead to a decrease in end-of-life tires (EOLTs), which is a pressing environmental concern. The reduction in tire waste aligns with the broader goals of the circular economy and waste minimization.

Furthermore, the reduction in rolling resistance contributes to increased vehicle range, which can lead to lower energy consumption and emissions from EVs. This is particularly important as the automotive industry continues to transition towards electrification. The long-term implications of such innovations could be substantial, potentially leading to a reduction in the carbon footprint of the transportation sector.

Automotive Industry Analyst

For the automotive sector, the PROPEL E8 carbon black is a strategic addition to Cabot's portfolio, addressing a key challenge for tire manufacturers in the EV market. As EV adoption grows, tire performance becomes increasingly critical to vehicle efficiency and total cost of ownership. The claim that EV tires wear up to 30% faster than those on internal combustion engine vehicles suggests a significant market opportunity for products that can mitigate this issue.

The ability to offer a product that not only enhances performance but also contributes to sustainability goals could provide Cabot with a competitive edge. As tire manufacturers seek to differentiate their products, Cabot's new offering may become an integral component of high-performance EV tires, potentially influencing stock market performance as the company capitalizes on the growing demand in this niche segment.

PROPEL E Series Advances Sustainability and Performance, Promoting Better Efficiency and Increased Durability For Electric Vehicle and High-Performance Tire Formulations

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT) today announced the global launch of its new PROPEL® E8 engineered reinforcing carbon black designed to provide superior tread durability at low rolling resistance for high-performance tire tread applications. This new product addresses the unique challenges posed by the heavier weight and higher torque of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The PROPEL E8 grade complements Cabot’s existing solutions within the PROPEL E series, which are also suitable for use in high-performance tires.

As the global mobility landscape shifts to electric, the demand for more robust and efficient tires has become evident. Automotive tire manufacturers are looking for innovative solutions that improve the efficiency of EV tires and enable a longer lifespan. The increased weight and higher torque of EVs have shown to increase tire wear by up to 30%* in comparison to its ICE counterparts. As such, this is generating a rise in end-of-life tires (EOLTs) over the lifespan of an EV as well as higher total cost of ownership. Cabot’s PROPEL E8 solution is designed to address such challenges by delivering low rolling resistance with increased tread durability to improve the tire lifespan, maximize range and reduce overall tire waste.

The treads of EV tires require a performance balance difficult to meet with traditional, high surface area ASTM carbon blacks. The PROPEL E8 solution enables better rolling resistance when compared to ASTM N200 and N100 carbon black grades. It also provides high stiffness and modulus with abrasion resistance equal to ASTM N100 series carbon black.

“At Cabot, we recognize the critical role we have in the rapidly changing mobility landscape and how our product portfolio connects to the needs of the EV industry,” said Aatif Misbah, vice president and general manager, Sustainable Solutions, Reinforcement Materials segment. “Our PROPEL E portfolio, including our new PROPEL E8 solution, makes us well positioned to support EV tire manufacturers with their various formulation needs as the electrification of vehicle fleets continues to progress at a global scale. Not only do our PROPEL E solutions deliver performance benefits, but by extending tire lifespan, our products are helping to reduce waste and the need for frequent tire replacements, thereby contributing to a more sustainable future.”

The PROPEL E8 grade complements the other solutions in its PROPEL E portfolio including grades PROPEL E3, PROPEL E6 and PROPEL E7, which can also deliver performance and sustainability benefits for various high-performance tire formulations. Cabot’s PROPEL E series is comprised of high surface area, medium structure reinforcing carbon blacks specifically engineered to increase the overall sustainability of the tire value chain, enabling tread formulators to deliver tires with low rolling resistance for maximum range while enhancing tread durability to extend tire life span, resulting in fewer EOLTs. In addition, PROPEL E3 carbon black considerably reduces hysteresis enabling low rolling resistance, which is a critical design consideration for EV tires to maximize range.

For more information about Cabot’s comprehensive suite of products for EV tires and high-performance tire tread applications, visit cabotcorp.com/tire. Furthermore, you can learn more by visiting the Cabot booth #C310 at Tire Technology Expo from March 19-21, 2024, in Deutsche Messe, Hannover, Germany.

ABOUT CABOT CORPORATION

Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT) is a global specialty chemicals and performance materials company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The company is a leading provider of reinforcing carbons, specialty carbons, battery materials, engineered elastomer composites, inkjet colorants, masterbatches and conductive compounds, fumed metal oxides and aerogel. For more information on Cabot, please visit the company’s website at cabotcorp.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in the press release regarding Cabot's business that are not historical facts are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.

*Source: PCMag: The Unexpected Problem With EVs: They 'Tire' Quickly

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240318539027/en/

Emily Moran

Corporate Communications

emily.moran@cabotcorp.com

(617) 460-4517

Steve Delahunt

Investor Relations

steve.delahunt@cabotcorp.com

(617) 342-6255

Source: Cabot Corporation

FAQ

What is the purpose of Cabot 's new product, PROPEL E8 (NYSE: CBT)?

PROPEL E8 is designed to provide superior tread durability at low rolling resistance for high-performance tire tread applications, specifically targeting the challenges posed by electric vehicles.

How does PROPEL E8 (NYSE: CBT) address the unique challenges of EV tires?

PROPEL E8 aims to improve the efficiency of EV tires by delivering low rolling resistance with increased tread durability, helping to maximize range and reduce tire waste.

What benefits does Cabot 's PROPEL E8 (NYSE: CBT) offer for electric vehicles?

PROPEL E8 provides high stiffness and modulus with abrasion resistance, enabling better rolling resistance compared to traditional carbon black grades and extending tire lifespan.

How does Cabot 's PROPEL E8 (NYSE: CBT) contribute to sustainability in the EV industry?

PROPEL E8, along with other solutions in the PROPEL E series, helps reduce waste and the need for frequent tire replacements by extending tire lifespan, promoting a more sustainable future.