US specialty chemicals and performance materials producer Cabot (Boston, Massachusetts; www.cabot-corp.com) has acquired full ownership of its Mexican carbon black manufacturing joint venture Nhumo (Altamira / Mexico; www.nhumo.com.mx) by purchasing the 60% stake owned by Mexican conglomerate Grupo Kuo (www.kuo.com.mx/index.php). Cabot said it will pay USD 105m (EUR 78m) for the stake.

Nhumo, which has a 140,000 t/y carbon black plant in Altamira, will now be integrated into Cabot’s reinforcement materials segment. Cabot said output will meet growing demand for carbon black in Mexico and throughout North America. Cabot has owned an approximately 40% stake in Nhumo since 1990.