News Release Details

Cabot's Nanogel(R) Aerogel Material Enables New Low-U-Value, High-Temperature Design

BOSTON and GALVESTON, Texas, Feb. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cabot Aerogel, a business unit of Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT) and Corus Tubes, a division of Corus (LSE/AEX: CS)(NYSE: CGA), today announced an innovative hybrid insulation pipe-in-pipe system insulated with Nanogel(R) aerogel, a nano-technology enabled silica aerogel, and polyurethane (PU)foam. Cabot Aerogel will be available to discuss this and other Nanogel aerogel products on display at the Subsea Tieback Forum, in Galveston, TX from February 27th to March 1st (Booth #213).

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The Corus-designed system combines the ultra-low-conductivity and wide temperature stability range of Nanogel with the strong bonding benefits of PU foam. An inner layer of Nanogel aerogel placed in direct contact with the high temperature inner pipe, and an outer layer of PU foam, creates a bond between the Nanogel layer and the outer pipe. In addition to providing mechanical support, the PU foam compresses the Nanogel aerogel layer, which improves thermal performance.

"Operators looking to develop and extend production capacities of high pressure high temperature and remote fields will find this new system to be a cost-effective solution to flow assurance issues," said Aaron Johnson, global business development manager, Cabot Aerogel. "Corus' hybrid pipe-in-pipe design is a model of how a company can use Cabot's Nanogel aerogel technology to leverage its existing expertise and create systems that offer significant benefits to the market."

"Our innovative pipe-in-pipe design, using Cabot's Nanogel aerogel technology, will enable operators to increase output and better manage costs, even under the most challenging environmental conditions," said Richard Freeman, development engineer, Corus Tubes. "The combination of Nanogel's ultra-low conductivity and wide temperature stability range is ideally suited to withstand the extreme operating temperatures and transfer axial and radial loads associated with HPHT flow systems."

Prototypes are currently undergoing thorough testing at Corus' research and development facility in Rotherham, UK with results expected in April 2007. The new pipe-in-pipe system will complement Corus' extensive portfolio of existing solutions by enabling developments where operating temperatures exceed the limits of PU foam.

What is Nanogel(R) aerogel?

Sometimes called "frozen smoke," aerogels are the lightest and best insulating solids in the world. Nanogel, Cabot's branded aerogel is a hydrophobic aerogel produced as particles each of which consists largely of air (~95%) contained in nano-sized pores that severely inhibit heat transfer through the material. Nanogel particles can be contained in various ways to facilitate incorporation into a wide range of systems including pipe-in-pipe systems, LNG & cryogenic gas transportation and storage systems, insulative coatings, medical devices, daylighting panels, sporting equipment, clothing, and others.

About Cabot Aerogel

Cabot Aerogel is a division of the Cabot Corporation solely focused on marketing, manufacturing and sales of Cabot's Nanogel aerogel material. Cabot produces Nanogel in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located near Frankfurt, Germany where it began commercial production in 2003.

About Cabot Corporation

Cabot Corporation is a global specialty chemicals and materials company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Cabot's major products are carbon black, fumed silica, inkjet colorants, capacitor materials, aerogels, and cesium formate drilling fluids. The website address is: www.cabot-corp.com

About Corus Tubes

Corus Tubes is a pioneering leader in the supply of innovative pipeline solutions which assist customers to access new energy resources in the world's most hostile and challenging environments, focusing on subsea and deep water activities. Corus Tubes' world leading centre of pipeline excellence is in Hartlepool, UK, and employs 750 people. Corus Tubes has worked with the world's leading oil and gas operators and contractors in all the major international hydrocarbon locations for over 200 years. Corus Tubes has industry leading experience of deepwater projects and pipe-in-pipe systems and a considerable track record supplying pipe-in-pipe to offshore projects in the North Sea. Driven by our customer's needs Corus Tubes are constantly developing new products to meet the demands of the developing oil and gas industry. The website address is www.corusenergy.com.

About Corus

Corus Group Plc (LSE/AEX: CS; NYSE: CGA) is one of the world's largest metal producers with annual turnover of 9 billion pounds Sterling and major operating facilities in the U.K., the Netherlands, Germany, France, Norway and Belgium. Corus' four divisions comprising Strip Products, Long Products, Distribution & Building Systems and Aluminium provide innovative solutions to the construction, automotive, rail, general engineering and packaging markets worldwide. Corus has 41,200 employees in over 40 countries and sales offices and service centres worldwide.

CONTACT: Aaron Johnson, Global Business Development Manager of Cabot Aerogel, nanogel@cabot-corp.com, +1-978-670-NANO (6266); Sue Titmuss, Marketing Manager of Corus Tubes, Sue.titmuss@corusgroup.com, +44 (0) 01536 404 270; or Ethel Shepard, Media Relations Manager of Cabot Corporation, ethel_shepard@cabot-corp.com, +1-617-342-6254