Thai Carbon Black plans $32 mln capacity expansion

BANGKOK, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Thai Carbon Black PCL TCB.BK, part of India's Aditya Birla Group, said on Wednesday it planned to spend 1.1 billion baht ($32 million) on expanding its capacity by 75,000-80,000 tonnes a year.

The company said in a statement it would add a sixth production line, expected to start operation in December 2008, which would boost its annual capacity to 280,000-285,000 tonnes.

Thai Carbon would finance the expansion with cash to meet rising demand at home and abroad, it said.

The firm produces furnace grade carbon black, used mainly in the rubber industry, and says it supplies carbon black to major tyre makers, including Bridgestone (5108.T), Michelin (MICP.PA) and Goodyear GYT.BK.

At 0320 GMT, Thai Carbon shares, valued at $232 million, were unchanged at 24.30 baht, while the main index .SETI was down 0.9 percent.

($1 = 34.19 Baht)

((Reporting by Khettiya Jittapong, editing by Michael Battye; Reuters Messaging: khettiya.jittapong.reuters.com@reuters.net; +662 648 9728)) Keywords: THAICARBON/EXPANSION

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