Cabot Norit Activated Carbon has received operating permits for its new mine near Marshall, Texas. As part of Cabot’s strategic plan to meet the anticipated quadrupling of demand for activated carbon for use in the coal-fired utility market, this investment is expected to begin production in 2014 and produce lignite for approximately 50 years.
Across the U.S., many states are implementing regulations and standards to reduce mercury emissions as they can create health issues such as mercury contamination of consumable fish and wildlife.
In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed federal mercury emission levels in the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard that are scheduled to take effect April 2015. In order to meet these requirements, many coal-fired utility companies will use activated carbon to reduce mercury emissions by up to 90 per cent.
“The new mine and dragline represent Cabot’s commitment to support and extend our market leadership position in the mercury emission control market,” said vice president and general manager, Global Emission Control Solutions, Bart Kalkstein. “As demand accelerates, having access to a long-term raw material supply is critical for our support of our customers. The new mine will help ensure that we have an uninterrupted supply of lignite well into the future and can meet the quadrupling of market demand.”