10-K

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012

or

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                        to                         

Commission file number 1-5667

Cabot Corporation

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	04-2271897
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Two Seaport Lane, Suite 1300
Boston, Massachusetts	02210
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

(617) 345-0100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class	Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common stock, $1.00 par value per share	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    x

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  x                        Accelerated filer  ¨

Non-accelerated filer  ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)     Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter (March 31, 2012), the aggregate market value of the Registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates was $2,685,813,177. As of November 16, 2012, there were 63,472,522 shares of the Registrant’s common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this annual report on Form 10-K.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
ITEM 1.	Business	3
ITEM 1A.	Risk Factors	14
ITEM 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	20
ITEM 2.	Properties	21
ITEM 3.	Legal Proceedings	23
ITEM 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	25
PART II
ITEM 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	27
ITEM 6.	Selected Financial Data	28
ITEM 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	31
ITEM 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	52
ITEM 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	54
ITEM 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	115
ITEM 9A.	Controls and Procedures	115
ITEM 9B.	Other Information	116
PART III
ITEM 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	117
ITEM 11.	Executive Compensation	117
ITEM 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	117
ITEM 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	118
ITEM 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services	118
PART IV
ITEM 15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules	119
Signatures		123
Exhibit Index		125

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Information Relating to Forward-Looking Statements

This annual report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” under the Federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to our future business performance and overall prospects; demand for our products; when we expect commissioning of the rubber blacks facility in Xingtai City, Hebei Province, China we are constructing with our joint venture partner to occur; our expectations regarding the life of our pollucite ore reserves; when we expect operations at our lignite mine in Texas to commence; our expectations concerning the receipt of the cash proceeds due to us from the sale of our Supermetals Business; the sufficiency of our cash on hand, cash provided from operations and cash available under our credit facilities to fund our cash requirements; anticipated capital spending, including environmental-related capital expenditures; cash requirements and uses of available cash, including future cash outlays associated with long-term contractual obligations, restructurings, contributions to employee benefit plans, environmental remediation costs and future respirator liabilities; exposure to interest rate and foreign exchange risk; future benefit plan payments we expect to make; our expected tax rate for fiscal 2013; our ability to recover deferred tax assets; and the possible outcome of legal and environmental proceedings. From time to time, we also provide forward-looking statements in other materials we release to the public and in oral statements made by authorized officers.

Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about Cabot’s businesses and strategies, market trends and conditions, economic conditions and other factors. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, potentially inaccurate assumptions, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict. If known or unknown risks materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, our actual results could differ materially from past results and from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements are described in Item 1A in this report.

We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Investors are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our 10-Q and 8-K reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

PART I

Item 1. Business

General

Cabot is a global specialty chemicals and performance materials company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Our principal products are rubber and specialty grade carbon blacks, fumed metal oxides, inkjet colorants, aerogel, cesium formate drilling fluids and activated carbon. Cabot and its affiliates have manufacturing facilities and operations in the United States and over 20 other countries. Cabot’s business was founded in 1882 and incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1960. The terms “Cabot”, “Company”, “we”, and “our” as used in this report refer to Cabot Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Our strategy is to deliver earnings growth through leadership in performance materials. We intend to achieve this goal by focusing on margin improvement, capacity expansion and emerging market growth, developing new products and businesses and actively managing our portfolio of businesses. In support of this strategy, during fiscal 2012 we completed the sale of our Supermetals Business to Global Advanced Metals Pty Ltd. for a minimum of approximately $450 million in total consideration. Results of operations for the Supermetals Business prior to the sale and the gain on the sale are reported in discontinued operations. In addition, on July 31, 2012, we completed our acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Norit N.V. (“Norit”) from N Beta S.à r.l., an affiliate of Doughty Hanson & Co. Managers Limited and Euroland Investments B.V., for a purchase price of $1.1 billion. The acquired business is organized as a new business segment, Purification Solutions, and results of operations for the business are reported in this segment.

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Our products are generally based on technical expertise and innovation in one or more of our three core competencies: making and handling very fine particles; modifying the surfaces of very fine particles to alter their functionality; and designing particles to impart specific properties to a composite. We focus on creating particles with the composition, morphology, surface functionalities and formulations to support our customers’ existing and emerging applications.

After the sale of our Supermetals Business and acquisition of Norit, we made changes in the composition of our segments and renamed them with names that are more descriptive of the underlying businesses. With these changes, our four business segments are: Reinforcement Materials (formerly our Core Segment); Performance Materials (formerly our Performance Segment); Advanced Technologies (the combination of our former New Business and Specialty Fluids Segments); and Purification Solutions (the newly acquired Norit business).

The business segments are discussed in more detail later in this section. Financial information about our business segments appears in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Item 7 below (“MD&A”) and in Note V of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 below (“Note V”).

For operational purposes, we are also organized into three geographic regions: The Americas; Europe, Middle East and Africa; and Asia Pacific. Financial information about our sales and long-lived assets in certain geographic areas appears in Note V.

Our internet address is www.cabot-corp.com. We make available free of charge on or through our internet website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such material with, or furnishing it to, the SEC.

Reinforcement Materials

Products

Carbon black is a form of elemental carbon that is manufactured in a highly controlled process to produce particles and aggregates of varied structure and surface chemistry, resulting in many different performance characteristics for a wide variety of applications. Rubber grade carbon blacks are used to enhance the physical properties of the systems and applications in which they are incorporated.

Our rubber blacks products are used in tires and industrial products. Rubber blacks have traditionally been used in the tire industry as a rubber reinforcing agent and are also used as a performance additive. In industrial products such as hoses, belts, extruded profiles and molded goods, rubber blacks are used to improve the physical performance of the product.

Sales and Customers

Sales of rubber blacks products are made by Cabot employees and through distributors and sales representatives. Sales to three major tire customers represent a material portion of Reinforcement Materials’ total net sales and operating revenues. The loss of any of these customers could have a material adverse effect on the Segment.

Under appropriate circumstances, we have entered into supply contracts with certain customers, many of which have durations of at least one year. Many of these contracts provide for sales price adjustments to account for changes in relevant feedstock indices and, in some cases, changes in other relevant costs (such as the cost of natural gas). In fiscal 2012, approximately half of our rubber blacks volume was sold under supply contracts with an initial term of at least one year in effect during the fiscal year. The majority of the volumes sold under these contracts are sold to customers in North America and Western Europe.

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Much of the rubber blacks we sell is used in automotive products and, therefore, our financial results may be affected by the cyclical nature of the automotive industry. However, a large portion of the market for our products is in replacement tires that historically have been less subject to automotive industry cycles.

Competition

We are one of the leading manufacturers of carbon black in the world. We compete in the manufacture of carbon black primarily with two companies with a global presence and a significant number of other companies which have a regional presence. Competition for products within Reinforcement Materials is based on product performance, quality, reliability, service, technical innovation, price, and logistics. We believe our product differentiation, technological leadership, global manufacturing presence, operations and logistics excellence and customer service provide us with a competitive advantage.

Raw Materials

The principal raw material used in the manufacture of carbon black is a portion of the residual heavy oils derived from petroleum refining operations and from the distillation of coal tars and the production of ethylene throughout the world. Natural gas is also used in the production of carbon black. Raw material costs generally are influenced by the availability of various types of carbon black feedstock and natural gas, and related transportation costs. Importantly, movements in the market price for crude oil typically affect carbon black feedstock costs.

Operations

We own, or have a controlling interest in, and operate plants that produce rubber blacks in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, the Czech Republic, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, The Netherlands, and the United States. Our equity affiliates operate carbon black plants in Mexico and Venezuela. The following table shows our ownership interest as of September 30, 2012 in rubber blacks operations in which we own less than 100%:

Location	Percentage Interest
Shanghai, China	70% (consolidated subsidiary)
Tianjin, China	70% (consolidated subsidiary)
Xingtai City, China	60% (consolidated subsidiary)
Valasske Mezirici (Valmez), Czech Republic	52% (consolidated subsidiary)
Cilegon and Merak, Indonesia	85% (consolidated subsidiary)
Port Dickson, Malaysia	51% (consolidated subsidiary)
Tampico, Mexico	40% (equity affiliate)
Valencia, Venezuela	49% (equity affiliate)

We continue to expand the manufacturing capacity of Reinforcement Materials, particularly in emerging markets. We increased the capacity at our carbon black plant in Tianjin, China by 150,000 metric tons with the addition of two rubber blacks production units in fiscal 2009, and in fiscal 2012 increased the capacity at our existing facilities in Indonesia, Argentina and multiple sites in Europe by a total of approximately 50,000 metric tons. In addition, we entered into a joint venture with Risun Chemicals Company, Ltd. for the construction and operation of a rubber blacks manufacturing facility in Xingtai City, Hebei Province, China. The facility will produce approximately 130,000 metric tons of carbon black annually, with the potential to expand annual capacity to 300,000 metric tons. We expect commissioning of this facility in calendar year 2013.

We have plans to further expand the capacity at our existing plants in South America, Asia and Europe by a total of approximately 120,000 metric tons. The timing for these future expansions is dependent on a number of factors, including overall economic conditions in those regions.

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As part of our 2009 global restructuring plan, over the course of fiscal 2009 and 2010 we closed our manufacturing operations in Stanlow, U.K., and in Berre, France. In addition, during fiscal 2010 we closed our manufacturing operations in Thane, India.

Performance Materials

Performance Materials is comprised of two businesses that sell the following products: specialty grades of carbon black and thermoplastic concentrates and compounds (our Specialty Carbons and Compounds Business); and fumed silica, fumed alumina and dispersions thereof (our Fumed Metal Oxides Business). In each business, we design, manufacture and sell materials that deliver performance in a broad range of customer applications across the automotive, construction and infrastructure, and electronics and consumer products sectors.

Products

Carbon black is a form of elemental carbon that is manufactured in a highly controlled process to produce particles and aggregates of varied structure and surface chemistry, resulting in many different performance characteristics for a wide variety of applications. Our specialty grades of carbon black are used to impart color, provide rheology control, enhance conductivity and static charge control, provide UV protection, enhance mechanical properties, and provide chemical flexibility through surface treatment. These products are used in a wide variety of applications, such as inks, coatings, cables, pipes, toners and electronics. In addition, we manufacture and source thermoplastic concentrates and compounds (which we refer to as “specialty compounds”) that are marketed to the plastics industry.

Fumed silica is an ultra-fine, high-purity particle used as a reinforcing, thickening, abrasive, thixotropic, suspending or anti-caking agent in a wide variety of products produced for the automotive, construction, microelectronics, and consumer products industries. These products include adhesives, sealants, cosmetics, inks, toners, silicone rubber, coatings, polishing slurries and pharmaceuticals. Fumed alumina, also an ultra-fine, high-purity particle, is used as an abrasive, absorbent or barrier agent in a variety of products, such as inkjet media, lighting, coatings, cosmetics and polishing slurries.

Sales and Customers

Sales of these products are made by Cabot employees and through distributors and sales representatives. In our Specialty Carbons and Compounds Business, sales are to a broad number of customers. In contrast, sales under long-term contracts (those with an initial term longer than one year) with two customers account for a substantial portion of the revenue of our Fumed Metal Oxides Business.

Competition

We are one of the leading manufacturers of carbon black in the world. We compete in the manufacture of carbon black primarily with two companies with a global presence and a significant number of other companies which have a regional presence. We are also a leading producer of specialty compounds in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. We are a leading producer and seller of fumed silica and compete primarily with three companies with a global presence and numerous other companies which have a regional presence.

Competition for these products is based on product performance, quality, reliability, service, technical innovation and price. We believe our product differentiation, technological leadership, global manufacturing presence, operations excellence and customer service provide us with a competitive advantage.

Raw Materials

The principal raw material used in the manufacture of carbon black is a portion of the residual heavy oils derived from petroleum refining operations and from the distillation of coal tars and the production of

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ethylene throughout the world. Natural gas is also used in the production of carbon black. Raw material costs generally are influenced by the availability of various types of carbon black feedstock and natural gas, and related transportation costs. Importantly, movements in the market price for crude oil typically affect carbon black feedstock costs.

Other than carbon black feedstock, the primary materials used for our specialty compounds are thermoplastic resins and mineral fillers. Raw materials for these compounds are, in general, readily available.

Raw materials for the production of fumed silica are various chlorosilane feedstocks. We purchase feedstocks and for some customers convert their feedstock to product on a fee-basis (so called “toll conversion”). We also purchase aluminum chloride as feedstock for the production of fumed alumina. We have long-term procurement contracts or arrangements in place for the purchase of fumed silica feedstock, which we believe will enable us to meet our raw material requirements for the foreseeable future. In addition, we buy some raw materials in the spot market to help ensure flexibility and minimize costs.

Operations

We own, or have a controlling interest in, and operate plants that produce specialty grades of carbon black in China, The Netherlands and the United States. Our specialty compounds are produced in facilities that we own, or have a controlling interest in, located in Belgium, China and the UAE. We also own, or have a controlling interest in, manufacturing plants that produce fumed metal oxides in the United States, China, the United Kingdom, and Germany. An equity affiliate operates a fumed metal oxides plant in Mettur Dam, India. The following table shows our ownership interest as of September 30, 2012 in these segment operations in which we own less than 100%:

Location	Percentage Interest
Tianjin, China (Specialty Carbons and Compounds Business)	90% (consolidated subsidiary)
Jiangxi Province, China (Fumed Metal Oxides Business)	90% (consolidated subsidiary)
Mettur Dam, India (Fumed Metal Oxides Business)	50% (equity affiliate)

We continue to expand the manufacturing capacity of our Specialty Carbons and Compounds Business in emerging markets. During fiscal 2011, we commissioned a specialty compounds manufacturing plant at our carbon black plant in Tianjin, China. This plant has an annual capacity of approximately 45,000 metric tons that may be expanded to 80,000 metric tons in the future. In addition, in fiscal 2010 we commenced specialty compounds manufacturing in Dubai.

We also continue to expand our fumed silica capacity. During fiscal 2012, we increased the annual capacity at our joint venture’s fumed silica manufacturing facility in Jiangxi Province, China to approximately 15,000 metric tons, with the potential to further expand to 20,000 metric tons as demand in Asia grows. In addition, during calendar year 2012 we expanded production capacity by 25% at our fumed silica facility in Barry, Wales.

As part of our 2009 global restructuring plan, over the course of fiscal 2009 and 2010 we closed our specialty compounds manufacturing operations in Dukinfield, U.K. and our carbon black manufacturing operations in Stanlow, U.K. and in Berre, France. In fiscal 2011, we closed our specialty compounds manufacturing facility in Grigno, Italy and in fiscal 2012, we closed our specialty compounds manufacturing facility in Hong Kong and moved production primarily to our new facility in Tianjin, China.

Advanced Technologies

Advanced Technologies is comprised of our Inkjet Colorants, Aerogel, Security Materials, Elastomer Composites and Specialty Fluids Businesses. A discussion of each of these Businesses follows.

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Inkjet Colorants Business

Products

We produce and sell aqueous inkjet colorants primarily to the inkjet printing market. Our inkjet colorants are high-quality pigment-based black and other colorant dispersions we manufacture by surface treating specialty grades of carbon black and other pigments. The dispersions are used in aqueous inkjet inks to impart color (optical density or chroma) with improved durability (waterfastness, lightfastness and rub resistance) while maintaining high printhead reliability. Our inkjet colorants are produced for various inkjet printing applications, including small office and home office, corporate office, and commercial printing, as well as for other niche applications that require a high level of dispersibility and colloidal stability.

Sales and Customers

Sales of inkjet colorants are made by Cabot employees to inkjet printer manufacturers and to suppliers of inkjet inks in the inkjet cartridge aftermarket. Many of our commercialized products have been developed through joint research and development initiatives with inkjet printer manufacturers. These initiatives have led to the development of exclusive differentiated products for these inkjet customers.

Competition

Our inkjet colorants are designed to replace traditional pigment dispersions and dyes used in inkjet printing applications. Competitive products for inkjet colorants are organic dyes and other dispersed pigments manufactured and marketed by large chemical companies and small independent producers. Competition is based on product performance, technical innovation, quality, reliability, service and price. We believe our commercial strengths include technical innovation, product performance and service.

Raw Materials

Raw materials for inkjet colorants include carbon black sourced from our carbon black plants, organic pigments and other treating agents available from various sources. We believe that all raw materials to produce inkjet colorants are in adequate supply.

Operations

Our inkjet colorants are manufactured at our facility in Haverhill, Massachusetts. During fiscal 2012, we doubled the capacity of two of our production lines at this facility.

Aerogel Business

Products

Aerogel is a hydrophobic, silica-based particle with a high surface area that is used in a variety of thermal insulation and specialty chemical applications. In the construction industry, the product is used in insulative composite building products and translucent skylight, window, wall and roof systems for insulating eco-daylighting applications. In the oil and gas industry, aerogel is used to insulate subsea pipelines. In the specialty chemicals industry, the product is used to provide matte finishing, insulating and thickening properties for use in a variety of applications. We continue to focus on application and market development activities for use of aerogel in these and other new applications.

Sales and Customers

Sales of aerogel products are made principally by Cabot employees to engineering procurement and installation companies, traditional insulation manufacturers, building and construction materials companies, and specialty chemical and coatings producers and distributors.

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Competition

Although the manufacturing processes used are different, in premium insulation applications, our aerogel products compete principally with aerogel products manufactured by Aspen Aerogel, Inc. and non-aerogel insulation products manufactured by primarily regional companies throughout the world.

Competition is based on product performance, price, quality, reliability and service. We believe our commercial strengths include technical innovation, product performance, quality and service.

Raw Materials

The principal raw materials for the production of aerogel are silica sol and/or sodium silicate, which we believe are in adequate supply.

Operations

We manufacture our aerogel products at our facility in Frankfurt, Germany using a unique and patented manufacturing process.

Security Materials Business

The principal area of commercial focus for the Security Materials Business is in developing covert taggants for a broad range of anti-counterfeiting security applications, including brand security, currency, tax stamps, identification and fuel markers. Covert taggants are invisible, unique markers that are added to products to determine their authenticity through the use of custom detectors or readers. Our taggants are manufactured using a proprietary process, which produces highly uniform materials with unique signatures. Development and manufacturing activities are conducted primarily at our facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Mountain View, California.

Elastomer Composites Business

We have developed elastomer composite products that are compounds of natural latex rubber and carbon black made by a patented liquid phase process. We believe these compounds improve abrasion/wear resistance, reduce fatigue and reduce rolling resistance compared to natural rubber/carbon black compounds made by conventional methods. Our elastomer composite products are targeted for tire, defense, mining, automotive and aerospace applications. We manufacture our elastomer composite products at our facility in Port Dickson, Malaysia.

Specialty Fluids Business

Products

Our Specialty Fluids Business principally produces and markets cesium formate as a drilling and completion fluid for use primarily in high pressure and high temperature oil and gas well construction. Cesium formate products are solids-free, high-density fluids that have a low viscosity, enabling safe and efficient well construction and workover operations. The fluid is resistant to high temperatures, minimizes damage to producing reservoirs and is readily biodegradable in accordance with the testing guidelines set by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. In a majority of applications, cesium formate is blended with other formates or products.

Sales, Rental and Customers

Sales of our cesium formate products are made to oil and gas operating companies directly by Cabot employees and sales representatives and indirectly through oil field service companies. We generally rent cesium formate to our customers for use in drilling operations on a short-term basis. After completion of a job, the customer returns the remaining fluid to Cabot and it is reprocessed for use in subsequent well

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operations. Any fluid that is lost during use and not returned to Cabot is paid for by the customer. We also make sales of cesium formate outside of a rental process.

A large portion of our fluids have been used for drilling and completion of wells in the North Sea, where we have been supplying cesium formate-based fluids for both reservoir drilling and completion activities on large gas and condensate field projects in the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Although we have expanded the use of our fluids to drilling operations outside of the North Sea, an important portion of our business continues to be with a limited number of customers for drilling and completion operations in that geography.

Competition

Formate fluids, which were introduced to the market in the mid-1990s, are a relatively small but growing part of the drilling and completion fluids market and compete mainly with traditional drilling fluid technologies. Competition in the well fluids business is based on product performance, quality, reliability, service, technical innovation, price, and proximity of inventory to customers’ drilling operations. We believe our commercial strengths include our unique product offerings and their performance, and our customer service.

Raw Materials

The principal raw material used in this business is pollucite (cesium ore), which we obtain primarily from our mine in Manitoba, Canada. We own a substantial portion of the world’s known pollucite reserves, ensuring us an adequate supply of our principal raw material. Considering our current production rates, our current estimate of reserve levels in the mine and inventory on hand, we expect our supply to last at least 10 years. The process of estimating mineral reserves is inherently uncertain and requires making subjective engineering, geological, geophysical and economic assumptions. Accordingly, there is likely to be variability in the estimated reserve life of the ore body over time.

Most jobs for which cesium formate is used require a large volume of the product. Accordingly, the Specialty Fluids Business maintains a large inventory of fluid.

Operations

We have a mine and a cesium formate manufacturing facility in Manitoba, Canada, as well as fluid blending and reclamation facilities in Aberdeen, Scotland and in Bergen and Kristiansund, Norway. In addition, we warehouse fluid at various locations around the world to support existing and potential operations.

Purification Solutions

Products

Activated carbon is a porous material consisting mainly of elemental carbon treated with heat, steam and/or chemicals to create high internal porosity, resulting in a large internal surface area that resembles a sponge. It is generally produced in two forms, powdered and granular, and is manufactured in different sizes, shapes and levels of purity for a wide variety of applications. Activated carbon is used to remove contaminants from liquids and gases using a process called adsorption, whereby the interconnected pores of activated carbon trap contaminants.

Our activated carbon products are used for the purification of water, air, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals and other liquids and gases. In gas and air applications, one of the uses of activated carbon is for the removal of mercury in flue gas streams. In addition, our products are used as a catalyst or catalyst carrier; as a chemical carrier in slow release applications (such as delayed release pharmaceuticals); as either a colorant or a decolorizing agent in the production of products for food and beverage applications; and in the gold mining industry. Used activated carbon can be reactivated for further use by removing the

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contaminants from the pores. The most common applications in which our reactivated carbon is used are water treatment, food and beverage purification and gas and air purification. In addition to our activated carbon production and reactivation, we also provide activated carbon solutions through on-site equipment and services, including delivery systems for activated carbon injection in coal-fired utilities, mobile water filter units and carbon reactivation services.

Sales and Customers

Sales of activated carbon are made by Cabot employees and through distributors and sales representatives to a broad range of customers, including coal-fired utilities, food and beverage processors, water treatment plants, pharmaceutical companies and catalyst producers. Some of our sales of activated carbon are made under annual contracts or longer-term agreements, particularly in mercury removal applications.

Competition

We are one of the leading manufacturers of activated carbon and providers of activated carbon equipment and services in the world. We compete in the manufacture of activated carbon primarily with six companies with a global presence and numerous other companies which have a regional or local presence.

Competition for activated carbon and activated carbon equipment and services is based on quality, performance, price and supply-chain stability. We believe our product differentiation, technological leadership, quality, product and application diversity, cost-effective access to raw materials, and scalable manufacturing capabilities provide us with a competitive advantage.

Raw Materials

The principal raw materials we use in the manufacture of activated carbon are various forms of coal, including lignite, wood and other carbonaceous materials, all of which we believe we have in adequate supply. Our raw material supply contracts are typically for a duration of two to five years. We are also developing a lignite mine close to our Marshall, Texas facility, which we expect will begin operations in 2014.

Operations

We own, or have a controlling interest in, and operate plants that produce activated carbon in the United States, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands and Italy. Our equity affiliates operate activated carbon plants in Canada and Mexico. The following table shows our ownership interest as of September 30, 2012 in these segment operations in which we own less than 100%:

Location	Percentage Interest
Bienfait, Saskatchewan, Canada	50% (contractual joint venture)
Atitalaquia, Hidalgo, Mexico	49% (equity affiliate)

Since the beginning of 2008, our global production capacity has increased by approximately 28%. Two new production lines were added at our largest facility in Marshall, Texas to meet rising demand for mercury removal solutions, increasing that plant’s capacity by approximately 74% since 2009. In addition, our Canadian joint venture began operations in 2010. We have the potential to add additional capacity at these facilities as needed to meet market demand.

Patents and Trademarks

We own and are a licensee of various patents, which expire at different times, covering many of our products as well as processes and product uses. Although the products made and sold under these patents and licenses are important to Cabot, the loss of any particular patent or license would not materially affect our business, taken as a whole. We sell our products under a variety of trademarks, the loss of any one of which would not materially affect our business, taken as a whole.

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Seasonality

Our businesses are generally not seasonal in nature, although we may experience some regional seasonal declines during holiday periods and some weather-related seasonality in Purification Solutions.

Backlog

We do not consider backlog to be a significant indicator of the level of future sales activity. In general, we do not manufacture our products against a backlog of orders. Production and inventory levels are based on the level of incoming orders as well as projections of future demand. Therefore, we believe that backlog information is not material to understanding our overall business and is not a reliable indicator of our ability to achieve any particular level of revenue or financial performance.

Employees

As of September 30, 2012, we had 4,826 employees. Some of our employees in the United States and abroad are covered by collective bargaining or similar agreements. We believe that our relations with our employees are generally satisfactory.

Research and Development

Cabot develops new and improved products and higher efficiency processes through Company-sponsored research and technical service activities, including those initiated in response to customer requests. Our expenditures for such activities generally are spread among our businesses and are shown in the consolidated statements of operations. Further discussion of our research and technical expenses incurred in each of our last three fiscal years appears in MD&A in Item 7 below.

Safety, Health and Environment (“SH&E”)

Cabot has been named as a potentially responsible party under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (the “Superfund law”) and comparable state statutes with respect to several sites primarily associated with our divested businesses. (See “Legal Proceedings” below.) During the next several years, as remediation of various environmental sites is carried out, we expect to spend against our $7 million environmental reserve for costs associated with such remediation. Adjustments are made to the reserve based on our continuing analysis of our share of costs likely to be incurred at each site. Inherent uncertainties exist in these estimates due to unknown conditions at the various sites, changing governmental regulations and legal standards regarding liability, and changing technologies for handling site investigation and remediation. While the reserve represents our best estimate of the costs we expect to incur, the actual costs to investigate and remediate these sites may exceed the amounts accrued in the environmental reserve. While it is always possible that an unusual event may occur with respect to a given site and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in a particular period, we do not believe that the costs relating to these sites, in the aggregate, are likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position. Furthermore, it is possible that we may also incur future costs relating to environmental liabilities not currently known to us or as to which it is currently not possible to make an estimate.

Our ongoing operations are subject to extensive federal, state, local, and foreign laws, regulations, rules, and ordinances relating to safety, health, and environmental matters (“SH&E Requirements”). These SH&E Requirements include requirements to obtain and comply with various environmental-related permits for constructing any new facilities and operating all of our existing facilities. We have expended and will continue to expend considerable sums to construct, maintain, operate, and improve facilities for safety,

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health and environmental protection and to comply with SH&E Requirements. We spent approximately $23 million in environmental-related capital expenditures at existing facilities in fiscal 2012 and anticipate spending approximately $24 million for such matters in fiscal 2013.

In recognition of the importance of compliance with SH&E Requirements to Cabot, our Board of Directors has a Safety, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee. The Committee, which is comprised of independent directors, meets at least three times a year and provides oversight and guidance to Cabot’s safety, health and environmental management programs. In particular, the Committee reviews Cabot’s environmental reserve, safety, health and environmental risk assessment and management processes, environmental and safety audit reports, performance metrics, performance as benchmarked against industry peer groups, assessed fines or penalties, site security and safety issues, health and environmental training initiatives, and the SH&E budget. The Committee also consults with our outside and internal advisors regarding management of Cabot’s safety, health and environmental programs.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (“IARC”) classifies carbon black as a Group 2B substance (known animal carcinogen, possible human carcinogen). We have communicated IARC’s classification of carbon black to our customers and employees and have included that information in our material safety data sheets and elsewhere, as appropriate. We continue to believe that the available evidence, taken as a whole, indicates that carbon black is not carcinogenic to humans, and does not present a health hazard when handled in accordance with good housekeeping and safe workplace practices as described in our material safety data sheets.

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (“OEHHA”) published a notice adding “carbon black (airborne, unbound particles of respirable size)” to the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, commonly referred to as Proposition 65, in 2003. Proposition 65 requires businesses to warn individuals before they knowingly or intentionally expose them to chemicals subject to its requirements, and it prohibits businesses from knowingly discharging or releasing the chemicals into water or onto land where they could contaminate drinking water. We worked with the International Carbon Black Association, as well as various customers and carbon black user groups, to ensure our compliance with the requirements associated with the Proposition 65 listing of carbon black, which became effective in February 2004. OEHHA is reportedly considering certain changes that may result in removing the “airborne, unbound particles of respirable size” qualifying language from its listing of carbon black. If this change is adopted by OEHHA, it would result in increased labeling and other requirements for our customers under Proposition 65.

REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals), the European Union (“EU”) regulatory framework for chemicals developed by the European Commission (“EC”), applies to all chemical substances produced or imported into the EU in quantities greater than one metric ton a year. Manufacturers or importers of these chemical substances are required to submit specified health, safety, risk and use information about the substance to the European Chemical Agency. We completed the registrations under REACH for some monomers for our specialty compounds in 2011, for carbon black, activated carbon and fumed silica in 2010 and for cesium formate in 2009. We are working to complete other substance dossiers for the 2013 registration deadline. We are also working with the manufacturers and importers of our raw materials, including our feedstocks, to ensure their registration prior to the applicable deadlines. In addition, the EC has adopted a harmonized definition of “nanomaterial” to be used in the EU to identify materials for which special provisions may apply, such as risk assessment and ingredient labeling. The EC definition is broad and would apply to many of our existing products, including carbon black, fumed silica and alumina.

Environmental agencies worldwide are increasingly implementing regulations and other requirements resulting in more restrictive air emission limits globally, particularly as they relate to nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide emissions. In addition, global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions impact the carbon black and activated carbon industries as carbon dioxide is emitted in those manufacturing processes. The EU Emissions Trading Scheme applies to a number of our carbon black and activated carbon facilities. We generally expect to purchase emission credits where necessary to respond to allocation shortfalls. There are

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also ongoing discussions in other regions and countries, including the U.S., Canada, China, and Brazil, regarding greenhouse gas emission reduction programs, but those programs have not yet been fully defined and their impact on us cannot be estimated at this time. Finally, Cabot’s U.S. carbon black and activated carbon facilities continued to report their greenhouse gas emissions under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s rule for the Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases in calendar year 2012.

A number of organizations and regulatory agencies have become increasingly focused on the issue of water scarcity and water quality, particularly in certain geographic regions. We are engaged in various activities to promote water conservation and wastewater recycling. The costs associated with these activities are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our operations.

Various U.S. agencies and international bodies have adopted security requirements applicable to certain manufacturing and industrial facilities and marine port locations. These security-related requirements involve the preparation of security assessments and security plans in some cases, and in other cases the registration of certain facilities with specified governmental authorities. We closely monitor all security-related regulatory developments and believe we are in compliance with all existing requirements. Compliance with such requirements is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our operations.

Foreign and Domestic Operations and Export Sales

A significant portion of our revenues and operating profits is derived from overseas operations. The profitability of our segments is affected by fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies. (See MD&A and the Geographic Information portion of Note V for further information relating to sales and long-lived assets by geographic area.) Currency fluctuations, nationalization and expropriation of assets are risks inherent in international operations. We have taken steps we deem prudent in our international operations to diversify and otherwise to protect against these risks, including the use of foreign currency financial instruments to reduce the risk associated with changes in the value of certain foreign currencies compared to the U.S. dollar. (See the risk management discussion contained in “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in Item 7A below and Note L of the Notes to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements).

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to factors described elsewhere in this report, the following are important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. The risks described below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations and financial results.

Negative or uncertain worldwide or regional economic conditions may adversely impact our business.

Our operations and performance are affected by worldwide and regional economic conditions. Continuing concerns over the worldwide economic outlook and the sovereign debt crisis in Europe have contributed to diminished expectations for global economic growth. Continued uncertainty or a deterioration in the economic conditions affecting the businesses to which, or geographic areas in which, we sell products could reduce demand for our products, and we may experience pricing pressure on products and services, which could decrease our revenues and have an adverse effect on our financial condition and cash flows. In addition, during periods of economic uncertainty, our customers may temporarily pursue inventory reduction measures that exceed declines in the actual underlying demand. Our businesses are sensitive to industry capacity utilization, particularly in Reinforcement Materials. As a result, pricing tends to fluctuate when capacity utilization changes occur, which could affect our financial performance.

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Plant capacity expansions may be delayed and/or not achieve the expected benefits.

Our ability to complete capacity expansions as planned may be delayed or interrupted by the need to obtain environmental and other regulatory approvals, availability of labor and materials, unforeseen hazards such as weather conditions, and other risks customarily associated with construction projects. In addition, our ability to expand capacity in emerging regions depends in part on economic and political conditions in these regions and, in some cases, on our ability to establish operations, construct additional manufacturing capacity or form strategic business alliances. Moreover, the cost of expanding capacity in Reinforcement Materials, Specialty Carbons and Compounds, Fumed Metal Oxides, Purification Solutions, and Inkjet Colorants could have a negative impact on the financial performance of these businesses until capacity utilization is sufficient to absorb the incremental costs associated with the expansion.

As a chemical manufacturing company, our operations have the potential to cause environmental or other damage as well as personal injury.

The operation of a chemical manufacturing business as well as the sale and distribution of chemical products involve safety, health and environmental risks. For example, the production and/or processing of carbon black, fumed metal oxides, aerogel, activated carbon and other chemicals involve the handling, transportation, manufacture or use of certain substances or components that may be considered toxic or hazardous within the meaning of applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, regulations, rules and ordinances relating to safety, health and environmental matters. The transportation of chemical products and other activities associated with our manufacturing processes have the potential to cause environmental or other damage as well as injury or death to employees or third parties. We could incur significant expenditures in connection with such operational risks.

Our operations are subject to extensive safety, health and environmental requirements, which could increase our costs and/or reduce our profit.

Our ongoing operations are subject to extensive federal, state, local and foreign laws, regulations, rules and ordinances relating to safety, health and environmental matters, many of which provide for substantial monetary fines and criminal sanctions for violations. These requirements include requirements to obtain and comply with various environmental-related permits for constructing any new facilities and operating all of our existing facilities. The enactment of new environmental laws and regulations and/or the more aggressive interpretation of existing requirements could require us to incur significant costs for compliance or capital improvements or limit our current or planned operations, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our earnings or cash flow. See Item 3—Legal Proceedings—Environmental Proceedings.

We may not realize the expected benefits from our acquisition of Norit.

With our acquisition of Norit, we have entered into a new area of the specialty chemicals business and there may be factors that affect this business with which we are not as familiar compared with our other existing businesses. We may not be successful retaining key customers and suppliers or key technical or other employees of the former Norit business, including those with knowledge of the activated carbon industry and activated carbon manufacturing processes. This integration requires significant attention from our management. The diversion of our management’s attention away from our other businesses and any difficulties encountered in the integration process, including those related to the integration of information technology and other systems, could adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, the strategic growth plan for the mercury removal products and services portion of this business relies significantly upon the enforcement of restrictive environmental laws and regulations, particularly those that would require industrial facilities to reduce the quantity of air pollutants they release. Because of the uncertainty associated with the regulatory process, we are unable to predict with certainty when and how these new standards will affect demand for our activated carbon products.

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Any failure to realize benefits from acquisitions, alliances or joint ventures could adversely affect future financial results.

As part of our strategies for growth and improved profitability, we have made and may continue to make acquisitions and investments and enter into joint ventures. The success of acquisitions of new technologies, companies and products, or arrangements with third parties is not always predictable and we may not be successful in realizing our objectives as anticipated. We may not be able to integrate any acquired businesses successfully into our existing businesses, make such businesses profitable, or realize anticipated cost savings or synergies, if any, from these acquisitions, which could adversely affect our business.

An interruption in our operations as a result of fence-line arrangements could disrupt our manufacturing operations and adversely affect our financial results.

At certain of our facilities we have fence-line arrangements with adjacent third party manufacturing operations (“fence-line partners”), who provide raw materials for our manufacturing operations and/or take by-products generated from our operations. Accordingly, any unplanned disruptions or curtailments in a fence-line partner’s production facilities that impacts their ability to supply us with raw materials or to take our manufacturing by-products could disrupt our manufacturing operations or cause us to incur increased operating costs to mitigate such disruption.

Volatility in the price of energy and raw materials could decrease our margins.

Our manufacturing processes consume significant amounts of energy and raw materials, the costs of which are subject to worldwide supply and demand as well as other factors beyond our control. Dramatic increases in such costs or decreases in the availability of raw materials at acceptable costs could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. For example, movements in the market price for crude oil typically affect carbon black feedstock costs. Significant movements in the market price for crude oil tend to create volatility in our carbon black feedstock costs, which can affect our working capital and results of operations. Certain of our carbon black supply contracts contain provisions that adjust prices to account for changes in a relevant feedstock price index. We attempt to offset the effects of increases in raw material costs through selling price increases in our non-contract sales, productivity improvements and cost reduction efforts. Success in offsetting increased raw material costs with price increases is largely influenced by competitive and economic conditions and could vary significantly depending on the segment served. Such increases may not be accepted by our customers, may not be sufficient to compensate for increased raw material and energy costs or may decrease demand for our products and our volume of sales. If we are not able to fully offset the effects of increased raw material or energy costs, it could have a significant impact on our financial results.

We are exposed to political or country risk inherent in doing business in some countries.

Sales outside of the U.S. constituted a majority of our revenues in fiscal 2012. Although much of our international business is currently in regions where the political and economic risk levels and established legal systems are similar to those in the United States, we also conduct business in countries that have less stable legal systems and financial markets, and potentially more corrupt business environments than the U.S. Our operations in some countries may be subject to the following risks: changes in the rate of economic growth; unsettled political or economic conditions; possible expropriation or other governmental actions; corruption by government officials and other third parties; social unrest, war, terrorist activities or other armed conflict; confiscatory taxation or other adverse tax policies; deprivation of contract rights; trade regulations affecting production, pricing and marketing of products; reduced protection of intellectual property rights; restrictions on the repatriation of income or capital; exchange controls; inflation; currency fluctuations and devaluation; the effect of global health, safety and environmental matters on economic conditions and market opportunities; and changes in financial policy and availability of credit. We have an

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equity method investment in Venezuela, a country that has established rigid controls over the ability of foreign companies to repatriate cash. Such exchange controls could potentially impact our ability, in both the short and long term, to recover both the cost of our investment and earnings from that investment.

We depend on a group of key customers for a significant portion of our sales. A significant adverse change in a customer relationship or in a customer’s performance or financial position could harm our business and financial condition.

Our success in strengthening relationships and growing business with our largest customers and retaining their business over extended time periods could affect our future results. We have a group of key customers across our businesses that together represent a significant portion of our total net sales and operating revenues. The loss of any of our important customers, or a reduction in volumes sold to them because of a work stoppage or other disruption, could adversely affect our results of operations until such business is replaced or the disruption ends. Any deterioration in the financial condition of any of our customers or the industries they serve that impairs our customers’ ability to make payments to us also could increase our uncollectible receivables and could affect our future results and financial condition.

Our failure to successfully develop new products and technologies that address our customers’ changing requirements or competitive challenges may have a negative effect on our business results.

The end markets into which we sell our products are subject to periodic technological change, ongoing product improvements and changes in customer requirements. Increased competition from existing or newly developed products offered by our competitors or companies whose products offer a similar functionality as our products may negatively affect demand for our products. We work to identify, develop and market innovative products on a timely basis to meet our customers’ changing requirements and competitive challenges. If we fail to develop new products or keep pace with technological developments, our sales may be negatively impacted and our business results could be adversely affected.

Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange and interest rates could affect our financial results.

We earn revenues, pay expenses, own assets and incur liabilities in countries using currencies other than the U.S. dollar. In fiscal 2012, we derived a majority of our revenues from sales outside the United States. Because our consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, we must translate revenues, income and expenses, as well as assets and liabilities, into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect during or at the end of each reporting period. Therefore, increases or decreases in the value of the U.S. dollar against other currencies in countries where we operate will affect our results of operations and the value of balance sheet items denominated in foreign currencies. Due to the geographic diversity of our operations, weaknesses in some currencies might be offset by strengths in others over time. In addition, we are exposed to adverse changes in interest rates. We manage both these risks through normal operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative instruments as well as foreign currency debt. We cannot be certain, however, that we will be successful in reducing the risks inherent in exposures to foreign currency and interest rate fluctuations.

There are also instances where we have direct current exposures to foreign currency movements because settlement back into a different currency is intended. These situations can have a direct impact on our cash flows.

The money we spend developing new businesses and technologies may not result in a proportional increase in our revenues or profits.

We cannot be certain that the costs we incur investing in new businesses and technologies will result in a proportional increase in revenues or profits. In addition, the timely commercialization of products that we are developing may be disrupted or delayed by manufacturing or other technical difficulties, market

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acceptance or insufficient market size to support a new product, competitors’ new products, and difficulties in moving from the experimental stage to the production stage. These disruptions or delays could affect our future business results.

Our tax rate is dependent upon a number of factors, a change in any of which could impact our future tax rates and net income.

Our future tax rates may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including the enactment of tax legislation currently being considered in the U.S.; other changes in tax laws or the interpretation of such tax laws; changes in the estimated realization of our net deferred tax assets; the jurisdictions in which profits are determined to be earned and taxed; the repatriation of non-U.S. earnings for which we have not previously provided for U.S. income and non-U.S. withholding taxes; adjustments to estimated taxes upon finalization of various tax returns; increases in expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes, including impairment of goodwill in connection with acquisitions; changes in available tax credits; and the resolution of issues arising from tax audits with various tax authorities. Losses for which no tax benefits can be recorded could materially impact our tax rate and its volatility from one quarter to another. Any significant change in our jurisdictional earnings mix or in the tax laws in those jurisdictions could impact our future tax rates and net income in those periods.

Regulations requiring a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions will likely impact our carbon black and activated carbon operations.

Global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions impact the carbon black and activated carbon industries as carbon dioxide is emitted in those manufacturing processes. The European Commission’s Emissions Trading Scheme applies to a number of our carbon black and activated carbon facilities, and we generally expect to purchase emission credits where necessary to respond to allocation shortfalls. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to purchase emissions credits if our carbon black or activated carbon operations generate more CO₂ than our allocations permit or that the cost of such credits will be acceptable to us. There are also ongoing discussions in other regions and countries, including the U.S., Canada, China and Brazil, regarding greenhouse gas emission reduction programs, but those programs have not yet been defined and their potential impact on our manufacturing operations or financial results cannot be estimated at this time.

Litigation or legal proceedings could expose us to significant liabilities and thus negatively affect our financial results.

As more fully described in “Item 3—Legal Proceedings”, we are a party to or the subject of lawsuits, claims, and proceedings, including those involving environmental, and health and safety matters as well as product liability and personal injury claims relating to asbestosis, silicosis, and coal worker’s pneumoconiosis, and exposure to various chemicals. We are also a potentially responsible party in various environmental proceedings and remediation matters wherein substantial amounts are at issue. Adverse rulings, judgments or settlements in pending or future litigation (including liabilities associated with respirator claims) or in connection with environmental remediation activities could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in any forward-looking statements.

Our restructuring activities and cost saving initiatives may not achieve the results we anticipate.

We have undertaken and will continue to undertake cost reduction initiatives and organizational restructurings to improve operating efficiencies, optimize our asset base and generate cost savings. We cannot be certain that we will be able to complete these initiatives as planned or that the estimated operating efficiencies or cost savings from such activities will be fully realized or maintained over time. In addition, when we close manufacturing facilities, we may not be successful in migrating our customers from those closed facilities to our other facilities.

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The reduction or elimination of tariffs placed on U.S. and European imports of Chinese or other foreign activated carbon could have a material adverse effect on Purification Solutions.

Purification Solutions faces pressure and competition in its U.S. and European markets from imports of activated carbon products that are sold at unfairly low prices. In some end-markets, low-priced imports have become accepted as viable alternatives to our products because they are frequently sold at less than fair value in the market. If the amounts and acceptance of these low-priced imports increase, especially if they are sold at less than fair value, our sales of those products could decline, which could have an adverse effect on the earnings of Purification Solutions. In addition, sales of these low-priced imports may make it more difficult for Purification Solutions to pass through raw material cost increases to its customers. U.S. and European regulatory agencies have enacted antidumping duties to limit these activities. However, the antidumping duties in the U.S. could be reduced or eliminated in the future, and the antidumping duties in the European Union may or may not be renewed beyond 2013. If these antidumping duties are reduced or eliminated, the volume of low-priced activated carbon imports in the U.S and the European Union could increase and, therefore, reduce demand or pricing for our products and services.

The continued protection of our patents, trade secrets and other proprietary intellectual property rights are important to our success.

Our patents, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights are important to our success and competitive position. We own various patents and other intellectual property rights in the U.S. and other countries covering many of our products, as well as processes and product uses. Where we believe patent protection is not appropriate or obtainable, we rely on trade secret laws and practices to protect our proprietary technology and processes, such as physical security, limited dissemination and access and confidentiality agreements with our employees, customers, consultants, business partners, potential licensees and others to protect our trade secrets and other proprietary information. However, trade secrets can be difficult to protect and the protective measures we have put in place may not prevent disclosure or unauthorized use of our proprietary information or provide an adequate remedy in the event of misappropriation or other violations of our proprietary rights. In addition, we are a licensee of various patents and intellectual property rights belonging to others in the U.S. and other countries. Because the laws and enforcement mechanisms of some countries may not allow us to protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as we are able to in the U.S., the strength of our intellectual property rights will vary from country to country.

Irrespective of our proprietary intellectual property rights, we may be subject to claims that our products, processes or product uses infringe the intellectual property rights of others. These claims, even if they are without merit, could be expensive and time consuming to defend and if we were to lose such claims, we could be enjoined from selling our products or using our processes and/or be subject to damages, or be required to enter into licensing agreements requiring royalty payments and/or use restrictions. Licensing agreements may not be available to us, and if available, may not be available on acceptable terms.

We may be required to impair or write off certain assets if our assumptions about future sales and profitability prove incorrect.

In analyzing the value of our inventory, property, plant and equipment, investments and intangible assets, we have made assumptions about future sales (pricing and volume), costs and cash generation. These assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and if the actual results differ significantly from these assumptions, we may not be able to realize the value of the assets recorded as of September 30, 2012, which could lead to an impairment or write-off of certain of these assets in the future.

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On occasion we enter into derivative contracts with financial counterparties. The effectiveness of these contracts is dependent on the ability of these financial counterparties to perform their obligations and their nonperformance could harm our financial condition.

We have entered into interest rate swap contracts and foreign currency derivatives as part of our financial strategy. The effectiveness of our hedging programs using these instruments is dependent, in part, upon the counterparties to these contracts honoring their financial obligations. If any of our counterparties are unable to perform their obligations in the future, we could be exposed to increased earnings and cash flow volatility due to an instrument’s failure to hedge a financial risk.

We may be subject to information technology systems failures, network disruptions and breaches of data security.

Information technology systems failures, including risks associated with upgrading our systems, network disruptions and breaches of data security could disrupt our operations by impeding our processing of transactions, our ability to protect customer or company information and our financial reporting. Our computer systems, including our back-up systems, could be damaged or interrupted by power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, computer viruses, internal or external security breaches, events such as fires, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes and hurricanes, and/or errors by our employees. Although we have taken steps to address these concerns by implementing sophisticated network security and internal control measures and back-up systems at multiple sites, there can be no assurance that a system failure or data security breach will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Natural disasters could affect our operations and financial results.

We operate facilities in areas of the world that are exposed to natural hazards, such as floods, windstorms and earthquakes. Such events could disrupt our supply of raw materials or otherwise affect production, transportation and delivery of our products or affect demand for our products.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

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Item 2. Properties

Cabot’s corporate headquarters are in leased office space in Boston, Massachusetts. We also own or lease office, manufacturing, storage, distribution, marketing and research and development facilities in the United States and in foreign countries. The locations of our principal manufacturing and/or administrative facilities are set forth in the table below. Unless otherwise indicated, all the properties are owned.

Location by Region	Reinforcement Materials	Performance Materials	Advanced Technologies	Purification Solutions
Americas Region
Mountain View, CA*			X
Alpharetta, GA*(1)	X	X	X	X
Tuscola, IL		X
Canal, LA	X	X
Ville Platte, LA	X
Billerica, MA	X	X	X	X
Haverhill, MA			X
Midland, MI		X
Albuquerque, NM (2 plants)*			X
Pryor, OK				X
Marshall, TX				X
Pampa, TX	X	X
Campana, Argentina	X
Maua, Brazil	X	X
Sao Paulo, Brazil*(1)	X	X	X	X
Cartagena, Colombia	X
Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba**			X
Sarnia, Ontario	X	X

⁽¹⁾  Regional shared service center

* Leased premises

** Building(s) owned by Cabot on leased land

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Location by Region	Reinforcement Materials	Performance Materials	Advanced Technologies	Purification Solutions
EMEA Region
Loncin, Belgium		X
Leuven, Belgium*(1)	X	X	X	X
Pepinster, Belgium		X
Valasske Mezirici (Valmez), Czech Republic**	X
Port Jerome, France**	X
Frankfurt, Germany*			X
Rheinfelden, Germany		X
Ravenna, Italy (2 plants)	X			X
Bergen, Norway*			X
Kristiansund, Norway*			X
Aberdeen, Scotland*			X
Schaffhausen, Switzerland*	X	X	X	X
Botlek, The Netherlands**	X	X
Amersfoort, The Netherlands*				X
Klazienaveen, The Netherlands				X
Zaandam, The Netherlands				X
Dubai, United Arab Emirates*		X
Glasgow, United Kingdom				X
Purton, United Kingdom				X
Barry, Wales**		X
Asia Pacific Region
Jiangxi Province, China**		X
Tianjin, China**	X	X
Shanghai, China*(1)	X	X	X	X
Shanghai, China** (plant)	X
Xingtai City, China**	X
Mumbai, India*	X	X
Cilegon, Indonesia**	X
Jakarta, Indonesia*	X	X
Merak, Indonesia	X
Chiba, Japan	X
Shimonoseki, Japan**	X
Tokyo, Japan*	X	X	X	X
Port Dickson, Malaysia** (2 plants)	X		X

⁽¹⁾  Regional shared service center

* Leased premises

** Building(s) owned by Cabot on leased land

We conduct research and development for our various businesses primarily at facilities in Billerica, MA; Albuquerque, NM; Amersfoort, The Netherlands; Marshall, TX; Mountain View, CA; Pampa, TX; Pepinster, Belgium; Frankfurt and Rheinfelden, Germany; Port Dickson, Malaysia.

Our existing manufacturing plants, together with announced capacity expansion plans, will generally have sufficient production capacity to meet current requirements and expected near-term growth. These plants are generally well maintained, in good operating condition and suitable and adequate for their intended use. Our administrative offices and other facilities are generally suitable and adequate for their intended purposes.

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings

Cabot is a party in various lawsuits and environmental proceedings wherein substantial amounts are claimed. The following is a description of the significant proceedings pending on September 30, 2012, unless otherwise specified.

Environmental Proceedings

In June 2009, Cabot received an information request from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) regarding Cabot’s carbon black manufacturing facility in Pampa, Texas. The information request relates to the Pampa facility’s compliance with certain regulatory and permitting requirements under the Clean Air Act, including the New Source Review (“NSR”) construction permitting requirements. EPA has indicated that this information request is part of an EPA national initiative focused on the U.S. carbon black manufacturing sector. Cabot responded to EPA’s information request in August 2009 and is in discussions with EPA. Based upon those discussions, it is anticipated that Cabot will invest significant funds for capital improvements to install technology controls at certain U.S. facilities over a number of years, and pay a civil penalty to EPA to resolve the matter, which penalty has been reserved for in our financial statements. It is expected that other carbon black manufacturers will also be required to install technology controls at their U.S. facilities in connection with this initiative and are also likely to pay a civil penalty.

In an unrelated EPA matter, in June 2012, the activated carbon facility in Marshall, Texas that Cabot acquired in its acquisition of Norit received an information request from EPA. That request focuses on historic compliance with Clean Air Act permitting and regulatory requirements, including NSR requirements. Cabot is in the process of responding to that request. It is unknown at this time what prompted this request for information and how this matter will be resolved.

Cabot is one of fourteen companies, collectively the Ashtabula River Cooperating Group II (“ARCG II”), which participated in the remediation of the Ashtabula River in Ohio. Our liability at this site is associated with the former Cabot Titania business, which operated two manufacturing facilities in Ashtabula in the 1960s and early 1970s. In addition to the dredging and environmental restoration of the Ashtabula River, which was completed in 2009, the ARCG II also concluded a settlement with the Ashtabula River Natural Resource Trustees for alleged natural resource damages to the river. The Consent Decree memorializing this settlement was formally approved by the court in July 2012.

In 1986, Cabot sold a beryllium manufacturing facility in Reading, Pennsylvania to NGK Metals, Inc. (“NGK”). In doing so, we agreed to share with NGK the costs of certain environmental remediation of the Reading plant site. After the sale, the EPA issued an order to NGK pursuant to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) requiring NGK to address soil and groundwater contamination at the site. Soil remediation at the site has been completed and the groundwater remediation activities are ongoing pursuant to the RCRA order. We are contributing to the costs of the groundwater remediation activities pursuant to the cost-sharing agreement with NGK. Cabot and NGK are also pursuing various legal claims against the United States for cost recovery and participation in future remediation activities based on the United States’ previous involvement at the site and contractual arrangements, beginning in World War II and continuing thereafter.

Cabot continues to perform certain sampling and remediation activities at a former pine tar manufacturing site in Gainesville, Florida that Cabot sold in the 1960s. Those activities are pursuant to a formal Record of Decision and 1991 Consent Decree with EPA. Cabot installed a groundwater treatment system at the site in the early 1990s, and that system is still in operation. Cabot has also been requested by EPA and other stakeholders to carry out various other additional work at the site. Cabot continues to work cooperatively with EPA, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the local authorities on this matter.

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As of September 30, 2012, we had a $7 million reserve on both a discounted and undiscounted basis for environmental remediation costs at various sites. The operation and maintenance component of this reserve was $3 million on both a discounted and undiscounted basis. The $7 million reserve represents our current best estimate of costs likely to be incurred for remediation based on our analysis of the extent of cleanup required, alternative cleanup methods available, abilities of other responsible parties to contribute and our interpretation of laws and regulations applicable to each of our sites.

Other Proceedings

Respirator Liabilities

We have exposure in connection with a safety respiratory products business that a subsidiary acquired from American Optical Corporation (“AO”) in an April 1990 asset purchase transaction. The subsidiary manufactured respirators under the AO brand and disposed of that business in July 1995. In connection with its acquisition of the business, the subsidiary agreed, in certain circumstances, to assume a portion of AO’s liabilities, including costs of legal fees together with amounts paid in settlements and judgments, allocable to AO respiratory products used prior to the 1990 purchase by the Cabot subsidiary. In exchange for the subsidiary’s assumption of certain of AO’s respirator liabilities, AO agreed to provide to the subsidiary the benefits of: (i) AO’s insurance coverage for the period prior to the 1990 acquisition and (ii) a former owner’s indemnity of AO holding it harmless from any liability allocable to AO respiratory products used prior to May 1982.

Generally, these respirator liabilities involve claims for personal injury, including asbestosis, silicosis and coal worker’s pneumoconiosis, allegedly resulting from the use of respirators that are claimed to have been negligently designed or labeled. Neither Cabot, nor its past or present subsidiaries, at any time manufactured asbestos or asbestos-containing products. At no time did this respiratory product line represent a significant portion of the respirator market.

The subsidiary transferred the business to Aearo Corporation (“Aearo”) in July 1995. Cabot agreed to have the subsidiary retain certain liabilities associated with exposure to asbestos and silica while using respirators prior to the 1995 transaction so long as Aearo paid, and continues to pay, Cabot an annual fee of $400,000. Aearo can discontinue payment of the fee at any time, in which case it will assume the responsibility for and indemnify Cabot against those liabilities which Cabot’s subsidiary had agreed to retain. We anticipate that we will continue to receive payment of the $400,000 fee from Aearo and thereby retain these liabilities for the foreseeable future. We have no liability in connection with any products manufactured by Aearo after 1995.

In addition to Cabot’s subsidiary and as described above, other parties are responsible for significant portions of the costs of respirator liabilities, leaving Cabot’s subsidiary with a portion of the liability in only some of the pending cases. These parties include Aearo, AO, AO’s insurers, and another former owner and its insurers (collectively, with the Company’s subsidiary, the “Payor Group”).

As of both September 30, 2012 and 2011, there were approximately 42,000 claimants in pending cases asserting claims against AO in connection with respiratory products. Cabot has contributed to the Payor Group’s defense and settlement costs with respect to a percentage of pending claims depending on several factors, including the period of alleged product use. In order to quantify our estimated share of liability for pending and future respirator liability claims, we have engaged, through counsel, the assistance of Hamilton, Rabinovitz & Alschuler, Inc. (“HR&A”), a leading consulting firm in the field of tort liability valuation. The methodology used by HR&A addresses the complexities surrounding our potential liability by making assumptions about future claimants with respect to periods of asbestos, silica and coal mine dust exposure and respirator use. Using those and other assumptions, HR&A estimates the number of future asbestos, silica and coal mine dust claims that will be filed and the related costs that would be incurred in resolving both currently pending and future claims. On this basis, HR&A then estimates the net present value of the share of these liabilities that reflect our period of direct manufacture and our contractual obligations. Based on the HR&A estimates, we have recorded on a discounted basis a $13 million reserve ($17 million on an undiscounted basis) to cover our estimated share of liability for pending and future

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respirator claims. We made payments related to our respirator liability of $2 million in fiscal 2012, $5 million in fiscal 2011 and $2 million in fiscal 2010.

Our current estimate of the cost of our share of existing and future respirator liability claims is based on facts and circumstances existing at this time. Developments that could affect our estimate include, but are not limited to, (i) significant changes in the number of future claims, (ii) changes in the rate of dismissals without payment of pending silica and non-malignant asbestos claims, (iii) significant changes in the average cost of resolving claims, (iv) significant changes in the legal costs of defending these claims, (v) changes in the nature of claims received, (vi) changes in the law and procedure applicable to these claims, (vii) the financial viability of members of the Payor Group, (viii) a change in the availability of AO’s insurance coverage or the indemnity provided by AO’s former owner, (ix) changes in the allocation of costs among the Payor Group, and (x) a determination that the assumptions used to estimate our share of liability are inaccurate. We cannot determine the impact of these potential developments on our current estimate of our share of liability for these existing and future claims. Accordingly, the actual amount of these liabilities for existing and future claims could be different than the reserved amount. Further, if the timing of our actual payments made for respirator claims differs significantly from our estimated payment schedule, and we determine that we can no longer reasonably predict the timing of such payments, we could then be required to record the reserve amount on an undiscounted basis on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, causing an immediate impact to earnings.

Other Matters

We have various other lawsuits, claims and contingent liabilities arising in the ordinary course of our business. These include a number of claims asserting premises liability for asbestos exposure and claims in respect of our divested businesses. In our opinion, although final disposition of some or all of these other suits and claims may impact our financial statements in a particular period, they should not, in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial position.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

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Executive Officers of the Registrant

Set forth below is certain information about Cabot’s executive officers. Ages are as of November 29, 2012.

Patrick M. Prevost, age 57, is President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of Cabot’s Board of Directors, positions he has held since joining Cabot in January 2008. Prior to joining Cabot, since October 2005, Mr. Prevost served as President, Performance Chemicals, of BASF AG, an international chemical company. Prior to that, he was responsible for BASF Corporation’s Chemicals and Plastics business in North America. Prior to joining BASF in 2003, he held senior management positions at BP and Amoco.

Eduardo E. Cordeiro, age 45, is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Cordeiro joined Cabot in 1998 as Manager of Corporate Planning and served in that position until January 2000. Mr. Cordeiro was Director of Finance and Investor Relations from January 2000 to March 2002, Corporate Controller from March 2002 to July 2003, General Manager of the Fumed Metal Oxides Business from July 2003 to January 2005, General Manager of the Supermetals Business from January 2005 to May 2008, and responsible for Corporate Strategy from May 2008 until February 2009, when he became Cabot’s Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Cordeiro also co-managed Cabot Superior MicroPowders from November 2004 to May 2008. Mr. Cordeiro was appointed Vice President in March 2003 and Executive Vice President in March 2009.

David A. Miller, age 53, is Executive Vice President and President of Reinforcement Materials and of the Americas region. Prior to joining Cabot in September 2009, Mr. Miller held a variety of management positions in BP’s chemical business in North America, Europe and Asia, including as President, Aromatics Asia, Europe and Middle East from January 2007 to July 2009, President, Global Purified Terephthalic Acid from October 2005 to January 2007, and Senior Vice President, Olefins and Derivatives China & Asia Operations (Innovene division) from January 2004 to October 2005.

Brian A. Berube, age 50, is Senior Vice President and General Counsel. Mr. Berube joined Cabot in 1994 as an attorney in Cabot’s law department and became Deputy General Counsel in June 2001. Mr. Berube was appointed Vice President in March 2002 and Senior Vice President in March 2012. Mr. Berube has been General Counsel since March 2003.

Sean D. Keohane, age 45, is Senior Vice President and President of Performance Materials. Mr. Keohane joined Cabot in August 2002 as Global Marketing Director. Mr. Keohane was General Manager of the Specialty Carbons and Compounds Business from October 2003 until May 2008, when he was named General Manager of Performance Materials. He was appointed Vice President in March 2005, and Senior Vice President in March 2012. Before joining Cabot, Mr. Keohane worked for Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies, in a variety of leadership positions.

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PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Cabot’s common stock is listed for trading (symbol CBT) on the New York Stock Exchange. As of November 16, 2012, there were 954 holders of record of Cabot’s common stock. The tables below show the high and low sales price for Cabot’s common stock for each of the fiscal quarters ended December 31, March 31, June 30, and September 30 and the quarterly cash dividend paid on Cabot’s common stock for the past two fiscal years.

Stock Price and Dividend Data

	Quarters Ended
	December 31		March 31		June 30		September 30
Fiscal 2012
Cash dividends per share	$	0.18	$	0.18	$	0.20	$	0.20
Price range of common stock:
High	$	34.35	$	43.76	$	44.97	$	41.75
Low	$	22.45	$	31.70	$	35.11	$	33.90
Fiscal 2011
Cash dividends per share	$	0.18	$	0.18	$	0.18	$	0.18
Price range of common stock:
High	$	38.89	$	47.11	$	48.77	$	43.42
Low	$	32.19	$	38.03	$	36.92	$	23.75

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The table below sets forth information regarding Cabot’s purchases of its equity securities during the quarter ended September 30, 2012:

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased(1)		Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(1)		Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(1)
July 1, 2012—July 31, 2012		768	$	39.60		—		1,636,906
August 1, 2012—August 31, 2012		—	$	—		—		1,636,906
September 1, 2012—September 30, 2012		—	$	—		—		1,636,906
Total		768				—

⁽¹⁾  On May 11, 2007, we publicly announced that the Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase five million shares of our common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. On September 14, 2007, the Board of Directors increased the share repurchase authorization to 10 million shares (the “2007 Authorization”). This authorization does not have a set expiration date. In the fourth quarter of 2012 we did not repurchase shares under this authorization.

In addition to the 2007 Authorization, in certain circumstances the Board has authorized us to repurchase shares of restricted stock purchased by recipients of certain long-term incentive awards after such shares vest to satisfy tax withholding obligations and associated loan repayment liabilities. The shares are repurchased from employees at fair market value. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, we repurchased 768 shares from employees under this authorization.

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

On July 31, 2012, Cabot completed the purchase of Norit NV. The operating results and ratios presented below for fiscal 2012 include two months of results of Norit NV. The September 30, 2012 balance sheet items presented below include those of Norit N.V.

On January 20, 2012, the Company completed the sale of its Supermetals Business. The results of its operations for all periods presented are reflected as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010			2009			2008
	(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and ratios)
Consolidated Net Income (Loss)
Net sales and other operating revenues	$	3,300		$	3,102		$	2,716		$	2,108		$	3,001
Gross profit		648			558			510			217			459
Selling and administrative expenses		285			249			241			205			238
Research and technical expenses		73			66			65			66			68
Income (loss) from operations(1)		290			243			204			(54	)		153
Net interest expense and other charges(2)		(45	)		(40	)		(38	)		(45	)		(52	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations		245			203			166			(99	)		101
(Provision) benefit for income taxes(3)		(55	)		(6	)		(30	)		21			(10	)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		11			8			7			5			8
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		205			53			26			(2	)		7
Net income (loss)		406			258			169			(75	)		106
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax		18			22			15			2			20
Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	388		$	236		$	154		$	(77	)	$	86
Common Share Data
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	2.83		$	2.77		$	1.94		$	(1.21	)	$	1.21
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		3.16			0.80			0.41			(0.04	)		0.11
Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	5.99		$	3.57		$	2.35		$	(1.25	)	$	1.32
Dividends	$	0.76		$	0.72		$	0.72		$	0.72		$	0.72
Closing prices	$	36.57		$	24.78		$	32.57		$	23.11		$	31.78
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding—millions(4)		64.2			65.4			64.3			62.8			62.8
Shares outstanding at year end—millions		63.3			63.9			65.4			65.3			65.3
Consolidated Financial Position
Current assets	$	1,443		$	1,555		$	1,438		$	1,200		$	1,408
Net property, plant, and equipment		1,552			1,036			937			972			1,035
Other assets		1,404			550			511			504			415
Total assets	$	4,399		$	3,141		$	2,886		$	2,676		$	2,858
Current liabilities	$	919		$	656		$	539		$	477		$	601
Long-term debt		1,172			556			600			623			586
Other long-term liabilities		369			313			330			339			312
Cabot Corporation stockholders’ equity		1,813			1,487			1,302			1,134			1,249
Noncontrolling interests		126			129			115			103			110
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	4,399		$	3,141		$	2,886		$	2,676		$	2,858
Working capital(5)	$	524		$	899		$	899		$	723		$	807
Selected Financial Ratios
Adjusted return on invested capital(6)		12	%		16	%		14	%		2	%		8	%
Net debt to capitalization ratio(7)		40	%		20	%		16	%		22	%		30	%

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⁽¹⁾  Income (loss) from operations includes certain items as presented in the table below:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010			2009			2008
	(Dollars in millions)
Global restructuring activities	$	(17	)	$	(18	)	$	(46	)	$	(87	)	$	(5	)
Environmental and legal reserves		(4	)		(1	)		(3	)		—			(3	)
Reserve for respirator claims		(4	)		—			(2	)		—			2
Acquisition related charges		(26	)		—			—			—			—
Long-lived asset impairment		—			—			(2	)		—			—
Debt issuance costs		—			—			—			—			(2	)
Write-down of impaired investments		—			—			—			(1	)		—
Executive transition costs		—			—			—			(4	)		(4	)
Certain items, pre-tax	$	(51	)	$	(19	)	$	(53	)	$	(92	)	$	(12	)

⁽²⁾  Net interest expense and other charges for fiscal 2012, 2011, 2009 and 2008 include foreign currency losses of $2 million, $6 million, $15 million and $14 million, respectively. Net interest expense and other charges for fiscal 2010 includes foreign currency gains of less than $1 million.

⁽³⁾  The Company’s tax rate for fiscal 2012 was a provision of 22% which includes net discrete tax benefits of $8 million from the release of a valuation allowance and $3 million from settlements and miscellaneous tax items. The Company’s tax rate for fiscal 2011 was a provision of 3% which includes net tax benefits of $24 million from the repatriation of high taxed income, $10 million from the settlements of various tax audits, $2 million from the renewal of the U.S. research and experimentation (“R&E”) credit and $2 million for investment incentive tax credits recognized in China. The Company’s tax rate for fiscal 2010 was a provision of 18% which includes net tax benefits of $15 million from the settlements of various tax audits and $2 million for investment incentive tax credits. The Company’s tax rate for fiscal 2009 was a benefit of 21%, which includes $12 million of net tax benefits resulting from settlements of various tax audits and tax credits during the year. The Company’s tax rate for fiscal 2008 was a provision of 10%, which includes approximately $11 million of net tax benefits resulting from settlements of various tax audits and tax credits during the year.

⁽⁴⁾  The weighted-average diluted shares outstanding for fiscal 2009 exclude approximately 4 million shares as those shares would have had an antidilutive effect due to the Company’s net loss position.

⁽⁵⁾  Working capital is total current assets less total current liabilities.

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⁽⁶⁾  Adjusted return on invested capital (“Adjusted ROIC”) is a non-GAAP financial measure that management believes is useful to investors as a measure of performance and the effectiveness of our use of capital. We use Adjusted ROIC as one measure to monitor and evaluate performance. ROIC is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and may not be defined and calculated by other companies in the same manner. Adjusted ROIC, which excludes items that management considers to be unusual and not representative of the Company’s segment results, is calculated as follows.

Numerator (four quarter rolling):

Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation

Less the after-tax impact of:

Noncontrolling interest in net income

Interest expense

Interest income

Certain items

Denominator:

Previous four quarter average invested capital calculated as follows:

Total Cabot Corporation stockholders’ equity

Plus:     Noncontrolling interests’ equity

Long-term debt

Current portion of long-term debt

Notes payable to banks

Less:     Cash and cash equivalents

Less the four quarter rolling impact of after tax certain items.

⁽⁷⁾  Net debt to capitalization ratio is calculated by dividing total debt (the sum of short-term and long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents) by total capitalization (the sum of Total stockholder’s equity plus total debt).

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of our financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We consider an accounting estimate to be critical to the financial statements if (i) the estimate is complex in nature or requires a high degree of judgment and (ii) different estimates and assumptions were used, the results could have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and application of our policies. We base our estimates on historical experience, current conditions and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The policies that we believe are critical to the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements are presented below.

Revenue Recognition and Accounts and Notes Receivable

We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. We generally are able to ensure that products meet customer specifications prior to shipment. If we are unable to determine that the product has met the specified objective criteria prior to shipment or if title has not transferred because of shipping terms, the revenue is considered “unearned” and is deferred until the revenue recognition criteria are met.

Shipping and handling charges related to sales transactions are recorded as sales revenue when billed to customers or included in the sales price.

The following table shows the relative size of the revenue recognized in each of our reportable segments.

	Years ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
Reinforcement Materials		63	%		65	%		63	%
Performance Materials		28	%		29	%		30	%
Advanced Technologies		7	%		6	%		7	%
Purification Solutions(1)		2	%		N/A			N/A

⁽¹⁾  Consists of two months of revenues for Norit, which we acquired on July 31, 2012.

We derive the substantial majority of revenues from the sale of products in Reinforcement Materials and Performance Materials. Revenue from these products is typically recognized when the product is shipped and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. We offer certain customers cash discounts and volume rebates as sales incentives. The discounts and volume rebates are recorded as a reduction in sales at the time revenue is recognized and are estimated based on historical experience and contractual obligations. We periodically review the assumptions underlying the estimates of discounts and volume rebates and adjust revenues accordingly.

Revenue in Advanced Technologies, excluding the Specialty Fluids Business, is typically recognized when the product is shipped and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. Depending on the nature of the contract with the customer, a portion of the revenue may be recognized using proportional performance.

A significant portion of the revenue in the Specialty Fluids Business, included in Advanced Technologies, arises from the rental of cesium formate. This revenue is recognized throughout the rental period based on the contracted rental terms. Customers are also billed and revenue is recognized, typically at the end of the job, for cesium formate product that is not returned. We also generate revenues from cesium formate sold outside of a rental process and revenue is recognized upon delivery of the fluid.

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Revenue in Purification Solutions is typically recognized when the product is shipped and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. For major activated carbon injection systems projects, revenue is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method.

We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts based on an assessment of the collectibility of specific customer accounts, the aging of accounts receivable and other economic information on both a historical and prospective basis. Customer account balances are charged against the allowance when it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. Changes in the allowance during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 were not material. There is no off-balance sheet credit exposure related to customer receivable balances.

Inventory Valuation

The cost of all carbon black inventories in the U.S. is determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. Total U.S. inventories utilizing this cost flow assumption was $26 million at September 30, 2012 and $32 million at September 30, 2011. These inventories represent 5% and 8% of total worldwide inventories at the respective year-ends. Had we used the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method instead of the LIFO method for such inventories, the value of those inventories would have been $52 million and $53 million higher as of September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The cost of Specialty Fluids inventories is determined using the average cost method. The cost of other U.S. and all non-U.S. inventories is determined using the FIFO method. In periods of rapidly rising or declining raw material costs, the inventory method we employ can have a significant impact on our profitability. Under our current LIFO method, when raw material costs are rising, our most recent higher priced purchases are the first to be charged to cost of sales. If, however, we were using a FIFO method, our purchases from earlier periods, which were at lower prices, would instead be the first charged to cost of sales. The opposite result could occur during a period of rapid decline in raw material costs.

At certain times, we may decrease inventory levels to the point where layers of inventory recorded under the LIFO method that were purchased in preceding years are liquidated. The inventory in these layers may be valued at an amount that is different than our current costs. If there is a liquidation of an inventory layer, there may be an impact to our cost of sales and net income for that period. If the liquidated inventory is at a cost lower than our current cost, there would be a reduction in our cost of sales and an increase to our net income during the period. Conversely, if the liquidated inventory is at a cost higher than our current cost, there will be an increase in our cost of sales and a reduction to our net income during the period.

During fiscal 2012, inventory quantities carried on a LIFO basis were reduced, leading to liquidations of LIFO inventory quantities. These LIFO layer liquidations resulted in a decrease of cost of goods sold of $1 million and an increase in consolidated net income of $1 million ($0.01 per diluted common share) for fiscal 2012. No such reductions occurred in either fiscal 2011 or 2010.

We review inventory for both potential obsolescence and potential loss of value periodically. In this review, we make assumptions about the future demand for and market value of the inventory and based on these assumptions estimate the amount of any obsolete, unmarketable or slow moving inventory. We write down the value of our inventories by an amount equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value. Historically, such write-downs have not been significant. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management at the time of the assessment, however, additional inventory write-downs may be required, which could reduce our gross profit and our earnings.

Stock-based Compensation

We have issued restricted stock, restricted stock units, and stock options under our equity compensation plans. The fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units is the closing price of our stock on the day of the grant. The fair value is recognized as expense over the service period, which generally represents the vesting period. The vesting of certain restricted stock units is dependent on certain performance-based criteria. We evaluate the likelihood of achievement of such performance objectives each

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quarter and record stock-based compensation based on this assessment. There are no other significant estimates involved in recording compensation costs for restricted stock units with the exception of estimates we make around the probability of forfeitures. Changes in the forfeiture assumptions could impact our earnings but would not impact our cash flows.

We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate the fair value of stock options issued under our equity compensation plans. In determining the fair value of stock options, we make a variety of assumptions and estimates, including discount rates, volatility measures, expected dividends and expected option lives. Changes to such assumptions and estimates can result in different fair values and could therefore impact our earnings. Such changes would not impact our cash flows.

Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets

Goodwill is comprised of the purchase price of business acquisitions in excess of the fair value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired. We use assumptions and estimates in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. The determination of the fair value of intangible assets requires the use of significant judgment with regard to (i) assumptions used in the determination of fair value; and (ii) determination of their useful lives. We estimate the fair value of identifiable acquisition-related intangible assets principally based on projections of cash flows that will arise from these assets. The projected cash flows are discounted to determine the present value of the assets at the date of acquisition. We review definite-lived intangible assets for impairment when indication of potential impairment exists, such as a significant reduction in cash flows associated with the assets. Actual cash flows arising from a particular intangible asset could vary from projected cash flows which could imply different carrying values from those established at the date of acquisition and which could result in impairment of such asset. We evaluate indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually and when events occur or circumstances change that may reduce the fair value of the asset below its carrying amount.

Goodwill is not amortized but is reviewed for impairment annually, or when events or changes in the business environment indicate that the carrying value of the reporting unit may exceed its fair value. During fiscal 2012, we adopted the authoritative guidance that simplifies how entities test goodwill for impairment and permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value amount and as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. Alternatively, we may elect to proceed directly to the two-step goodwill impairment test. If an initial qualitative assessment identifies that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, additional quantitative evaluation is performed under the two-step impairment test. If based on the quantitative evaluation the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we perform an analysis of the fair value of all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. If the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is determined to be less than its carrying amount, an impairment is recognized for the difference.

We primarily utilize a discounted cash flow method to calculate the fair value of our reporting units. The assumptions used to estimate the discounted cash flows are based on our best estimates of future growth rates, operating cash flows, capital expenditures, discount rates and market conditions over an estimate of the remaining operating period at the reporting unit level. The discount rate is based on the weighted average cost of capital that is determined by evaluating the risk free rate of return, cost of debt, and expected equity premiums.

As of September 30, 2012, our goodwill balance is allocated among four reportable segments: Purification Solutions, $439 million, Reinforcement Materials, $28 million, Performance Materials, $11 million, and Advanced Technologies, $2 million. The goodwill allocated to Purification Solutions is based on preliminary estimates of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the acquisition of Norit on July 31, 2012 as the Company is continuing to obtain information to complete its valuation of these accounts and the associated tax accounting. We performed our annual impairment

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assessment as of March 31, 2012 and determined that there was no impairment. During fiscal 2012, we changed our annual goodwill impairment testing date from March 31 to May 31. We performed an impairment assessment as of May 31, 2012 and consistent with the March 31, 2012 assessment, concluded that there was no impairment. See Note G of the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. There has been no goodwill impairment charge during any of the periods presented in these consolidated financial statements.

Our long-lived assets primarily include property, plant and equipment, long-term investments, assets held for rent and sale and intangible assets. We review the carrying values of long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Such circumstances would include, but are not limited to, a significant decrease in the market price of the long-lived asset, a significant adverse change in the way the asset is being used, a decline in the physical condition of the asset or a history of operating or cash flow losses associated with the use of the asset. In the recent past, impairments have generally been recognized when we determine that we will restructure certain operations.

To test for impairment of assets we generally use a probability-weighted estimate of the future undiscounted net cash flows of the assets or asset grouping over the remaining life of the asset to determine if the asset is recoverable. If we determine that the asset is not recoverable, we determine if there is a potential impairment loss by calculating the fair value of the asset using a probability-weighted discounted estimate of future cash flows. The discount rate is based on the weighted average cost of capital that is determined by evaluating the risk free rate of return, cost of debt, and expected equity premiums. To the extent the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset or asset group, an impairment loss is recognized in the statement of operations in that period.

Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivables, investments, notes receivable from the sale of a business, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, short-term and long-term debt, and derivative instruments. The carrying values of our financial instruments approximate fair value with the exception of our long-term debt that has not been designated as part of a fair value hedge. The non-hedged long-term debt is recorded at amortized cost. The fair values of our financial instruments are based on quoted market prices, if such prices are available. In situations where quoted market prices are not available, we rely on valuation models to derive fair value. For interest rate swaps and cross currency swaps, we use standard models with market-based inputs. The significant inputs to these models are interest rate curves for discounting future cash flows. In determining the fair value of the commodity derivatives, the significant inputs to valuation models are quoted market prices of similar instruments in active markets. Such valuation takes into account the ability of the financial counterparty to perform.

We use derivative financial instruments primarily for purposes of hedging exposures to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, which exist as part of our on-going business operations. We do not enter into derivative contracts for speculative purposes, nor do we hold or issue any financial instruments for trading purposes. All derivatives are recognized on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Where we have a legal right to offset derivative settlements under a master netting agreement with a counterparty, derivatives with that counterparty are presented on a net basis. The changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded in either earnings or accumulated other comprehensive income, depending on whether or not the instrument is designated as part of a hedge transaction and, if designated as part of a hedge transaction, the type of hedge transaction. The gains or losses on derivative instruments reported in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified to earnings in the period in which earnings are affected by the underlying hedged item. The ineffective portion of all hedges is recognized in earnings during the period in which the ineffectiveness occurs.

In accordance with our risk management strategy, we may enter into certain derivative instruments that may not be designated as hedges for accounting purposes. Although these derivatives are not designated as

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hedges, we believe that such instruments are closely correlated with the underlying exposure, thus managing the associated risk. We record in earnings the gains or losses from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges. Cash movements associated with these instruments are presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as Cash Flows from Operating Activities because the derivatives are designed to mitigate risk to our cash flow from operations.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value, including assets that are part of our defined benefit pension plans, are classified in the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used for valuation. Assets that are actively traded on an exchange with a quoted price are classified as Level 1. Assets and liabilities that are valued based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, or standard pricing models using observable inputs are classified as Level 2. As of September 30, 2012, we have no assets or liabilities carried at fair value that are valued using unobservable inputs and, therefore, no assets or liabilities that are classified as Level 3. The sensitivity of fair value estimates is immaterial relative to the assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as to our total equity, as of September 30, 2012.

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

We maintain both defined benefit and defined contribution plans for our employees. In addition, we provide certain postretirement health care and life insurance benefits for our retired employees. Plan obligations and annual expense calculations are based on a number of key assumptions. The assumptions, which are specific for each of our U.S. and foreign plans, are related to both the assets we hold to fund our plans (where applicable) and the characteristics of the benefits that will ultimately be provided to our employees. The most significant assumptions relative to our plan assets include the anticipated rates of return on these assets. Assumptions relative to our pension obligations are more varied; they include estimated discount rates, rates of compensation increases for employees, mortality, employee turnover and other related demographic data. Projected health care and life insurance obligations also rely on the above mentioned demographic assumptions and assumptions surrounding health care cost trends. Actual results that differ from the assumptions are generally accumulated and amortized over future periods and could therefore affect the recognized expense and recorded obligation in such future periods. However, cash flow requirements may be different from the amounts of expense that are recorded in the consolidated financial statements. In fiscal 2012, we incurred curtailment and settlement gains and losses in the U.S. and foreign employee benefit plans as a result of the sale of the Supermetals Business and the freezing of two defined benefit plans in foreign affiliates.

Self-Insurance Reserves

We are partially self-insured for certain third-party liabilities globally, as well as workers’ compensation and employee medical benefits in the United States. The third-party and workers’ compensation liabilities are managed through a wholly-owned insurance captive and the related liabilities are included in the consolidated financial statements. The employee medical obligations are managed by a third-party provider and the related liabilities are included in the consolidated financial statements. To limit our potential liabilities for these risks in the U.S., however, we purchase insurance from third-parties that provides individual and aggregate stop loss protection. The aggregate self-insured liability in fiscal 2012 for combined U.S. third party liabilities and U.S. workers’ compensation is $5 million, and the retention for medical costs in the United States is at most $200,000 per person per annum. We have accrued amounts equal to the actuarially determined future liabilities. We determine the actuarial assumptions in collaboration with third-party actuaries, based on historical information along with certain assumptions about future events. Changes in assumptions for such matters as legal actions, medical costs and changes in actual experience could cause these estimates to change and impact our earnings and cash flows.

Asset Retirement Obligations

We account for asset retirement obligations by estimating incremental costs for special handling, removal and disposal costs of materials that may or will give rise to conditional asset retirement obligations

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(“AROs”) and then discount the expected costs back to the current year using a credit adjusted risk-free rate. ARO liabilities and costs are recognized when the timing and/or settlement can be reasonably estimated. If it is unclear when, or if, an ARO will be triggered, we use probability weightings for possible timing scenarios to determine the amounts that should be recognized in our financial statements.

The estimation of AROs is subject to a number of inherent uncertainties including: (a) the timing of when any ARO may be incurred, (b) the ability to accurately identify and reasonably estimate the costs of all materials that may require special handling or treatment, (c) the ability to assess the relative probability of different scenarios that could give rise to an ARO, and (d) other factors outside our control, including changes in regulations, costs and interest rates.

AROs have not been recognized for certain of our facilities because either the present value of the obligation cannot be reasonably estimated due to an indeterminable facility life or we do not have a legal obligation associated with the retirement of those facilities. In most circumstances where AROs have been recorded, the anticipated cash outflows will likely take place far into the future. Accordingly, actual costs and the timing of such costs may vary significantly from our estimates, which may, in turn, impact our earnings. In general, however, when such estimates change, the impact is spread over future years and thus the impact on any individual year is unlikely to be material.

Litigation and Contingencies

We are involved in litigation in the ordinary course of business, including personal injury and environmental litigation. After consultation with counsel, as appropriate, we accrue a liability for litigation when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The estimated reserves are recorded based on our best estimate of the liability associated with such matters or the low end of the estimated range of liability if we are unable to identify a better estimate within that range. Our best estimate is determined through the evaluation of various information, including claims, settlement offers, demands by government agencies, estimates performed by independent third parties, identification of other responsible parties and an assessment of their ability to contribute, and our prior experience. Litigation is highly uncertain and there is always the possibility of an unusual result in any particular case that may reduce our earnings and cash flows.

The most significant reserves that we have established are for environmental remediation and respirator litigation claims. The amount accrued for environmental matters reflects our assumptions about remediation requirements at the contaminated sites, the nature of the remedies, the outcome of discussions with regulatory agencies and other potentially responsible parties at multi-party sites, and the number and financial viability of other potentially responsible parties. A portion of the reserve for environmental matters is recognized on a discounted basis, which requires the use of an estimated discount rate and estimates of future cash flows associated with the liability. These liabilities can be affected by the availability of new information, changes in the assumptions on which the accruals are based, unanticipated government enforcement action or changes in applicable government laws and regulations, which could result in higher or lower costs.

Our current estimate of the cost of our share of existing and future respirator liability claims is based on facts and circumstances existing at this time and the amount accrued is recognized on a discounted basis. Developments that could affect our estimate include, but are not limited to, (i) significant changes in the number of future claims, (ii) changes in the rate of dismissals without payment of pending silica and non-malignant asbestos claims, (iii) significant changes in the average cost of resolving claims, (iv) significant changes in the legal costs of defending these claims, (v) changes in the nature of claims received, (vi) changes in the law and procedure applicable to these claims, (vii) the financial viability of other parties which contribute to the settlement of respirator claims, (viii) a change in the availability of insurance coverage maintained by the entity from which we acquired the safety respirators products business or the indemnity provided by its former owner, (ix) changes in the allocation of costs among the various parties paying legal and settlement costs, and (x) a determination that the assumptions used to

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estimate our share of liability are inaccurate. We cannot determine the impact of these potential developments on our current estimate of our share of liability for these existing and future claims. Accordingly, the actual amount of these liabilities for existing and future claims could be different than the reserved amount. Further, if the timing of our actual payments made for respirator claims differs significantly from our estimated payment schedule, and we determine that we can no longer reasonably predict the timing of such payments, we could then be required to record the reserve amount on an undiscounted basis on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, causing an immediate impact to earnings.

Income Taxes

Our business operations are global in nature, and we are subject to taxes in numerous jurisdictions. Tax laws and tax rates vary substantially in these jurisdictions and are subject to change based on the political and economic climate in those countries. We file our tax returns in accordance with our interpretations of each jurisdiction’s tax laws.

Significant judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes and recording the related tax assets and liabilities. In the ordinary course of our business, there are operational decisions, transactions, facts and circumstances, and calculations which make the ultimate tax determination uncertain. Furthermore, our tax positions are periodically subject to challenge by taxing authorities throughout the world. We have recorded reserves for taxes and associated interest and penalties that may become payable in future years as a result of audits by tax authorities. Any significant impact as a result of changes in underlying facts, law, tax rates, tax audit, or review could lead to adjustments to our income tax expense, our effective tax rate, and/or our cash flow.

We record benefits for uncertain tax positions based on an assessment of whether the position is more likely than not to be sustained by the taxing authorities. If this threshold is not met, no tax benefit of the uncertain tax position is recognized. If the threshold is met, the tax benefit that is recognized is the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. This analysis presumes the taxing authorities’ full knowledge of the positions taken and all relevant facts, but does not consider the time value of money. We also accrue for interest and penalties on these uncertain tax positions and include such charges in the income tax provision in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Additionally, we have established valuation allowances against a variety of deferred tax assets, including net operating loss carry-forwards, foreign tax credits, and other income tax credits. Valuation allowances take into consideration our ability to use these deferred tax assets and reduce the value of such items to the amount that is deemed more likely than not to be recoverable. Our ability to utilize these deferred tax assets is dependent on achieving our forecast of future taxable operating income over an extended period of time. We review our forecast in relation to actual results and expected trends on a quarterly basis. Failure to achieve our operating income targets may change our assessment regarding the recoverability of our net deferred tax assets and such change could result in a valuation allowance being recorded against some or all of our net deferred tax assets. An increase in a valuation allowance would result in additional income tax expense, while a release of valuation allowances in periods when these tax attributes become realizable would reduce our income tax expense.

Highly Inflationary Environments

We monitor the currencies of countries in which we operate in order to determine if the country should be considered a highly inflationary environment. If and when a currency is determined to be highly inflationary (cumulative inflation of approximately 100 percent or more over a 3-year period), the functional currency of the affected operation would be changed to our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar. Due to cumulative inflation in Venezuela over a three-year period exceeding 100% as of January 1, 2010, the functional currency of our Venezuelan operating entity has changed to the U.S. dollar.

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Restructuring Activities

Our consolidated financial statements detail specific charges relating to restructuring activities as well as the actual spending that has occurred against the resulting accruals. Our restructuring charges are estimates based on our preliminary assessments of (i) severance and other employee benefits to be granted to employees, which are based on known benefit formulas and identified job grades, (ii) costs to vacate certain facilities and (iii) asset impairments. Because these accruals are estimates, they are subject to change as a result of subsequent information that may come to our attention while executing the restructuring plans. These changes in estimates would then be reflected in our consolidated financial statements.

Significant Accounting Policies

We have other significant accounting policies that are discussed in Note A of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 below. Certain of these policies include the use of estimates, but do not meet the definition of critical because they generally do not require estimates or judgments that are as difficult or subjective to measure. However, these policies are important to an understanding of the consolidated financial statements.

Results of Operations

Definition of Terms and Non-GAAP Financial Measures

When discussing our results of operations, we use several terms as described below.

The term “product mix” refers to the various types and grades, or mix, of products sold in a particular business or segment during the period, and the positive or negative impact of that mix on the revenue or profitability of the business or segment.

The discussion under the heading “Provision for income taxes” includes a discussion of our “operating tax rate”. In calculating our operating tax rate, we exclude discrete tax items, which are unusual or infrequent items, and the impact of certain items on both operating income and the tax provision.

The term “LIFO” includes two factors: (i) the impact of current inventory costs being recognized immediately in cost of goods sold (“COGS”) under a last-in first-out method, compared to the older costs that would have been included in COGS under a first-in first-out method (“COGS impact”); and (ii) the impact of reductions in inventory quantities, causing historical inventory costs to flow through COGS (“liquidation impact”).

Total Segment EBIT is a non-GAAP performance measure, and should not be considered an alternative for Income from continuing operations before taxes, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. In calculating Total Segment EBIT, we make certain adjustments such as excluding certain items, meaning items that management does not consider representative of our fundamental segment results. Segment EBIT includes Equity in net income of affiliated companies, net of tax, the full operating results of a contractual joint venture in Purification Solutions, royalties paid by equity affiliates and Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax, but exclude Interest expense, foreign currency transaction gains and losses, interest income, dividend income, unearned revenue, the effects of LIFO accounting for inventory, and unallocated general and corporate costs. Our Chief Operating Decision Maker uses Segment EBIT to evaluate the operating results of each segment and to allocate resources to the segments. We believe that this non-GAAP measure provides useful supplemental information for our investors as it is an important indicator of the Company’s operational strength and performance. Investors should consider the limitations associated with this non-GAAP measure, including the potential lack of comparability of this measure from one company to another. A reconciliation of Total Segment EBIT to Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net earnings of affiliate companies is provided in Note V.

After the sale of our Supermetals Business and acquisition of Norit, we made changes in the composition of our segments and renamed them with names that are more descriptive of the underlying businesses. With these changes, our four business segments are: Reinforcement Materials (formerly our Core Segment); Performance Materials (formerly our Performance Segment); Advanced Technologies (the combination of our former New Business and Specialty Fluids Segments); and Purification Solutions (the

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newly acquired Norit business). Cabot is also organized for operational purposes into three geographic regions: the Americas; Europe, Middle East and Africa; and Asia Pacific. Discussions of all periods reflect these structures.

Our analysis of financial condition and operating results should be read with our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Unless a calendar year is specified, all references to years in this discussion are to our fiscal years ended September 30.

Drivers of Demand and Key Factors Affecting Profitability

Drivers of demand and key factors affecting our profitability differ by Segment. In Reinforcement Materials, demand is influenced on a long term basis primarily by: i) the number of vehicle miles driven globally; ii) the number of original equipment and replacement tires produced; and iii) the number of automotive builds. Over the past several years, operating results have been driven by a number of factors, including: i) increases or decreases in sales volumes; ii) changes in raw material costs and our ability to obtain sales price increases for our products commensurate with increases in raw material costs; iii) changes in pricing and product mix; iv) global and regional capacity utilization; v) fixed cost savings achieved through restructuring and other cost saving activities; vi) the growth of our volumes and market position in emerging economies; and vii) capacity management and technology investments, including the impact of energy utilization and yield improvement technologies at our manufacturing facilities.

In Performance Materials, longer term demand is driven primarily by the construction and infrastructure, automotive, electronics and consumer products industries. In recent years, operating results in Performance Materials have been driven by: i) our volume growth in emerging markets; ii) our ability to deliver differentiated products that drive enhanced performance in customers’ applications; iii) our ability to obtain value pricing for this differentiation; and iv) the cost of new capacity.

In Advanced Technologies, drivers of demand are specific to the various businesses. In the Inkjet Colorants Business, demand has been driven by a relative increase of printer platforms using our pigments at both new and existing customers and the broader adoption of inkjet technology in office and commercial printing applications. Demand in the Aerogel Business has been driven by the adoption of aerogel products for oil and gas, daylighting, insulation for building and construction and specialty chemical applications. In the Security Materials Business, demand has been driven principally by the number of security taggant applications incorporating our unique and proprietary particles. In the Elastomer Composites Business, demand has been driven by the penetration of our unique compound of natural rubber and carbon black made in a patented liquid phase into applications for the tire, mining and defense industries. In our Specialty Fluids Business, demand for cesium formate is primarily driven by the level of drilling activity for high pressure oil and gas wells and by the petroleum industry’s acceptance of our product as a drilling and completion fluid for this application. Operating results in Advanced Technologies have been influenced by: i) our ability to improve the pace of revenue generation; ii) our ability to select the highest value opportunities and work with lead users in the appropriate markets; iii) our ability to appropriately size the overall cost platform for the opportunities; iv) the timing of milestone payments in our Elastomer Composites Business; and v) the size, type and duration of drilling jobs in our Specialty Fluids Business.

In Purification Solutions, longer term demand is driven primarily by the demand for purification solutions for water, gas and air, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, catalysts and other chemical applications. Operating results in Purification Solutions have been influenced by i) changes in pricing and product mix; ii) industry capacity utilization; iii) the amount of coal-based power generation utilized in the U.S.; and iv) growth of volume in the various applications previously noted.

Overview of Results for Fiscal 2012

During fiscal 2012, profitability increased compared to fiscal 2011 driven by higher unit margins that resulted from price increases and a favorable product mix. This improvement was partially offset by lower volumes and higher fixed costs due mainly to the startup of additional capacity and higher spending to support growth.

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In fiscal 2012, we purchased all of the issued and outstanding shares of Norit N.V. (“Norit”) for a purchase price of $1.1 billion. The transaction was completed on July 31, 2012. Our results for the twelve month period ended September 30, 2012 includes two months of results of Norit, which are reported as Purification Solutions.

In addition, during fiscal 2012, we completed the sale of our Supermetals Business and received initial cash payments related to the sale of $204 million. Approximately $250 million of additional cash consideration is scheduled to be received by the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2014. Income from discontinued operations, net of tax of $205 million in fiscal 2012 includes the $191 million gain on the sale of the Supermetals Business. Operating results from the Supermetals Business are included in Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax, for all periods presented on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Fiscal 2012 compared to Fiscal 2011 and Fiscal 2011 compared to Fiscal 2010—Consolidated

Net Sales and Gross Profit

	Years ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Net sales and other operating revenues	$	3,300	$	3,102	$	2,716
Gross profit	$	648	$	558	$	510

The $198 million increase in net sales from fiscal 2011 to fiscal 2012 was driven primarily by higher prices and a favorable product mix (combined $270 million) and the addition of two months of Purification Solutions sales (approximately $61 million) partially offset by lower volumes ($71 million) and the unfavorable effect of foreign currency translation ($56 million). The $386 million increase in net sales from fiscal 2010 to fiscal 2011 was due primarily to higher selling prices and a favorable product mix ($301 million) and the favorable effect of foreign currency translation ($97 million) partially offset by lower volumes ($8 million).

Gross profit increased by $90 million in fiscal 2012 when compared to fiscal 2011 and by $48 million in fiscal 2011 when compared to fiscal 2010. The increases in both periods were primarily due to higher unit margins driven by the implementation of strategic value pricing and product mix initiatives and benefits from the investments in energy centers and yield technology that more than offset higher raw material costs.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Selling and administrative expenses	$	285	$	249	$	241

Selling and administrative expenses increased by $36 million in fiscal 2012 when compared to fiscal 2011. The comparative increase is principally due to higher professional fees and other costs related to the acquisition and integration of Norit ($17 million), the inclusion of two months of Purification Solutions operating results ($5 million), additional environmental and legal reserves, including for respirator claims ($7 million) and spending to support growth across our businesses. Selling and administrative expenses increased by $8 million in fiscal 2011 when compared to fiscal 2010. The comparative increase is principally due to increased business and business development activity levels that were partially offset by lower restructuring related expenses.

Research and Technical Expenses

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Research and technical expenses	$	73	$	66	$	65

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Research and technical expenses increased $7 million in fiscal 2012 when compared to fiscal 2011 due to fees for a new technology licensing agreement ($3 million), the inclusion of two months of Purification Solutions operating results ($1 million) and higher spending to support business initiatives. Research and technical expenses were $1 million higher in fiscal 2011 when compared to fiscal 2010 as we maintained our investment in new product and process development opportunities across the businesses.

Interest and Dividend income

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Interest and dividend income	$	4	$	2	$	2

Interest and dividend income was $4 million in fiscal 2012 and $2 million in both fiscal 2011 and 2010. Interest and dividend income was $2 million higher in fiscal 2012 when compared to fiscal 2011 primarily due to interest income related to the notes receivable for the sale of the Supermetals Business.

Interest Expense

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Interest expense	$	46	$	39	$	40

Interest expense increased $7 million in fiscal 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011 due to a higher debt balance as a result of the financing for the Norit acquisition. Interest expense decreased by $1 million in fiscal 2011 when compared to fiscal 2010 driven by lower average debt levels in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010.

Other Expense

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Other expense	$	3	$	3	$	—

Other expense balances are driven by foreign currency movements, including gains or losses on foreign currency transactions and the remeasurement of our foreign currency denominated debt and related derivatives. Other expense in fiscal 2012 is consistent with fiscal 2011. The $3 million increase in expense from fiscal 2010 to fiscal 2011 was principally driven by an unfavorable comparison of foreign currency movements.

Provision for Income Taxes

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Provision for income taxes	$	55		$	6		$	30
Effective tax rate		22	%		3	%		18	%
Operating tax rate		25	%		22	%		25	%

The provision for income taxes was $55 million for fiscal 2012, resulting in an effective tax rate of 22%. This amount included net discrete tax benefits of $8 million from the release of a Cabot state tax valuation allowance as a result of the Norit acquisition and $3 million from settlements and miscellaneous tax items. The operating tax rate for fiscal 2012 was approximately 25%.

The provision for income taxes was $6 million for fiscal 2011, resulting in an effective tax rate of 3%. This amount included discrete tax benefits of $38 million comprised of: i) $24 million related to the

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repatriation of high tax income in response to changes in U.S. tax legislation; ii) $10 million from audit settlements; iii) $2 million from the recognition of investment tax credits in China; and iv) $2 million from the renewal of the U.S. research and experimentation (“R&E”) credit. The operating tax rate for fiscal 2011 was 22%.

The provision for income taxes was $30 million for fiscal 2010, resulting in an effective tax rate of 18%. This amount included discrete tax benefits of $15 million related to the settlement of various tax audits and $2 million for investment incentive credits earned, partially offset by a $1 million charge for miscellaneous adjustments. The operating tax rate for fiscal 2010 was 25%.

Our anticipated operating tax rate for fiscal 2013 is 25% to 26%. The IRS has not yet commenced the audit of our 2007 and later tax years and certain Cabot subsidiaries are under audit in a number of jurisdictions outside of the U.S. It is possible that some of these audits will be resolved in fiscal 2013 and could impact our anticipated effective tax rate. We have filed our tax returns in accordance with the tax laws in each jurisdiction and maintain tax reserves for uncertain tax positions.

Equity in Earnings of Affiliates and Noncontrolling Interest in Net Income, net of tax

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax	$	11	$	8	$	7
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	$	18	$	22	$	15

Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax, for fiscal 2012 increased $3 million from fiscal 2011 as earnings of our affiliate in Mexico improved. Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax, increased by $1 million in fiscal 2011 when compared to fiscal 2010 due primarily to an improvement in profitability at our equity affiliates in Mexico and Venezuela.

For fiscal 2012, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests decreased $4 million as compared to fiscal 2011. The decrease was due to a decrease in profitability of our joint ventures in Malaysia, China and Indonesia. For fiscal 2011, the $7 million increase in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax, is due to the improved profitability of our joint ventures in China, the Czech Republic and Malaysia.

Income from Discontinued Operations, net of tax

During fiscal 2011, we entered into an agreement to sell our Supermetals Business and accordingly for all periods we have classified income from the Supermetals Business as Income from discontinued operations, net of tax. The sale of the Supermetals Business was completed during the second quarter of fiscal 2012. Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, increased $152 million in fiscal 2012 when compared to fiscal 2011 driven by the gain on the sale of the Supermetals Business.

Net Income Attributable to Cabot Corporation

In fiscal 2012, we reported net income of $388 million ($5.99 per diluted common share). This is compared to net income of $236 million ($3.57 per diluted common share) in fiscal 2011 and net income of $154 million ($2.35 per diluted common share) in fiscal 2010.

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Fiscal 2012 compared to Fiscal 2011 and Fiscal 2011 compared to Fiscal 2010—By Business Segment

Total Segment EBIT, certain items, other unallocated items and income from continuing operations before taxes for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 are set forth in the table below. The details of certain items and other unallocated items are shown below and in Note V of our Consolidated Financial Statements.

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Total Segment EBIT	$	409		$	354		$	314
Certain items		(51	)		(19	)		(53	)
Other unallocated items		(113	)		(132	)		(95	)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	245		$	203		$	166

In fiscal 2012, total Segment EBIT increased by $55 million when compared to fiscal 2011. The increase was principally driven by higher unit margins ($94 million) driven by the implementation of strategic value pricing and product mix initiatives and benefits from the investments in energy centers and yield technology that more than offset higher raw material costs, the inclusion of two months of Purification Solutions operating results ($5 million), and the favorable effect of foreign currency translation ($11 million). The results were partially offset by lower volumes ($8 million) in Reinforcement Materials and higher fixed costs from the startup of new capacity and spending to support our growth initiatives ($51 million combined).

In fiscal 2011, total Segment EBIT increased by $40 million when compared to fiscal 2010. The increase was principally driven by higher unit margins ($101 million) from increased prices, a favorable product mix and the benefits from investments in energy centers and yield technology that more than offset higher raw material costs. Higher fixed manufacturing costs ($44 million) from higher maintenance and other plant operating costs, lower volumes ($9 million) in Reinforcement Materials and the Specialty Fluids Business, and an increase in selling and administrative costs ($9 million) primarily related to increased headcount to support business activities in Performance Materials and Advanced Technologies partially offset this improvement.

Certain Items:

Details of the certain items for fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010 are as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Global restructuring activities	$	(17	)	$	(18	)	$	(46	)
Environmental and legal reserves		(4	)		(1	)		(3	)
Reserve for respirator claims		(4	)		—			(2	)
Acquisition related charges		(26	)		—			—
Long-lived asset impairment		—			—			(2	)
Certain items, pre-tax		(51	)		(19	)		(53	)
Tax-related certain items
Tax impact of certain items	$	9		$	3		$	7
Tax impact of certain foreign exchange losses		1			—			—
Tax impact of non-deductible interest expense		(2	)		—			—
Discrete tax items		11			39			16
Total tax-related certain items		19			42			23
Total certain items after tax	$	(32	)	$	23		$	(30	)

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Acquisition related charges include legal and professional fees, the incremental value of inventory as a result of purchase accounting adjustments, and other expenses related to the completion of the acquisition and the integration of Norit, which is described in Note C of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Details of restructuring activities are included in Note P of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Tax certain items include discrete tax items, which are unusual and infrequent, the tax impact of certain foreign exchange losses, and the tax impact of non-deductible interest expense.

Other Unallocated Items:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Interest expense	$	(46	)	$	(39	)	$	(40	)
Equity in net income of affiliated companies		(11	)		(8	)		(7	)
Unallocated corporate costs		(56	)		(53	)		(48	)
General unallocated (expense) income		—			(32	)		—
Total other unallocated items	$	(113	)	$	(132	)	$	(95	)

Other unallocated items include Interest expense, Equity in net income of affiliated companies, Unallocated corporate costs, and General unallocated (expense) income. The balances of unallocated corporate costs are primarily comprised of expenditures related to managing a public company that are not allocated to the segments and corporate business development costs related to new technology efforts. The balances of General unallocated (expense) income primarily include foreign currency transaction gains (losses), interest income, dividend income, the elimination of profit related to unearned revenue, and the COGS impact of LIFO accounting.

In fiscal 2012, costs from total other unallocated items decreased by $19 million when compared to fiscal 2011. The decrease was primarily driven by a $32 million decrease in General unallocated income (expense) due to i) the COGS impact of LIFO accounting from changes in carbon black raw material costs that resulted in a favorable comparison ($18 million); ii) the favorable comparison of foreign exchange currency transactions ($4 million); iii) the absence in fiscal 2012 of certain corporate pension and currency charges that occurred in fiscal 2011 ($2 million); and (iv) the impact of a change in the net worth tax in Colombia in fiscal 2011 that did not repeat in fiscal 2012 ($3 million). These decreases were partially offset by an increase in Unallocated corporate costs driven by fees for a new technology licensing agreement ($3 million).

In fiscal 2011, costs from total other unallocated items increased by $37 million when compared to the same period of fiscal 2010. The increase was driven by charges associated with: i) the COGS impact of LIFO accounting ($16 million) due to rising carbon black raw material costs in fiscal 2011; ii) the unfavorable comparative of foreign currency transactions ($7 million); and iii) the unfavorable impact of a change in the net worth tax in Colombia ($3 million). In addition, there were higher costs commensurate with an increase in business activity levels and higher spending for corporate business development activities.

Reinforcement Materials

Sales and EBIT for Reinforcement Materials for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Reinforcement Materials Sales	$	2,019	$	1,952	$	1,660
Reinforcement Materials EBIT	$	227	$	183	$	139

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In fiscal 2012, sales in Reinforcement Materials increased by $67 million when compared to fiscal 2011. The increase was principally driven by higher prices and a favorable product mix (combined $225 million), partially offset by 6% lower volumes ($123 million) and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation ($35 million). In fiscal 2011, sales in Reinforcement Materials increased by $292 million when compared to fiscal 2010. The increase was principally driven by higher prices and a favorable product mix ($252 million) and the favorable effect of foreign currency translation ($73 million). Global volumes decreased by 2% in fiscal 2011 relative to fiscal 2010 driven by the closure of our carbon black facility in India. Excluding the impact of the closure of the India facility, global volumes were consistent with the prior year.

In fiscal 2012, Reinforcement Materials EBIT increased by $44 million when compared to fiscal 2011 driven principally by higher unit margins ($91 million), with higher pricing and a favorable product mix more than offsetting higher raw material costs, and the favorable impact of foreign currency translation ($10 million). The impact of higher unit margins more than offset lower volumes ($39 million) and the effect of higher fixed manufacturing costs ($17 million). In fiscal 2011, Reinforcement Materials EBIT increased by $44 million when compared to fiscal 2010. The increase was principally driven by higher unit margins ($79 million) from higher pricing, a favorable product mix and benefits from investments in energy centers and yield technology that more than offset higher raw material costs. Higher fixed manufacturing costs ($23 million) from higher maintenance and other plant operating costs and lower volumes ($11 million) partially offset these positive factors.

Performance Materials

Sales and EBIT for Performance Materials for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Specialty Carbons and Compounds Sales	$	664	$	626	$	531
Fumed Metal Oxides Sales		250		254		252
Segment Sales	$	914	$	880	$	783
Segment EBIT	$	128	$	140	$	125

In fiscal 2012, sales in Performance Materials increased $34 million when compared to fiscal 2011 due to higher prices and a favorable product mix (combined $34 million), and the impact of higher volumes ($23 million), partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation ($22 million). During fiscal 2012, volumes in Specialty Carbons and Compounds increased by 3% and volumes in Fumed Metal Oxides increased by 2%. In fiscal 2011, sales for Performance Materials increased by $97 million when compared to fiscal 2010. The increase was principally driven by higher prices and a favorable product mix ($53 million), higher volumes ($22 million), and the positive impact of foreign currency translation ($21 million). During fiscal 2011, volumes in Specialty Carbons and Compounds increased by 5% due to availability of new capacity to serve higher demand for our specialty compounds products. Volumes in fiscal 2011 in Fumed Metal Oxides decreased by 2% due to our strategic value pricing initiative, which resulted in lower volumes sold.

In fiscal 2012, EBIT in Performance Materials was $12 million lower when compared to fiscal 2011 driven by higher fixed manufacturing costs from new capacity and higher segment management costs ($23 million combined). This decrease was partially offset by higher volumes ($10 million) and improved unit margins ($2 million) from higher pricing and a favorable product mix that more than offset higher raw material costs. EBIT in Performance Materials increased by $15 million in fiscal 2011 when compared to fiscal 2010. The increase was principally driven by higher unit margins ($22 million) from higher pricing and a favorable product mix that more than offset the impact of higher raw materials costs and higher volumes ($6 million). Higher fixed manufacturing costs ($14 million) associated with the start-up of new capacity and higher maintenance and other plant operating costs partially offset these positive factors.

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Advanced Technologies

Sales and EBIT for Advanced Technologies for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Inkjet Colorants	$	66	$	65	$	57
Aerogel		18		24		24
Security Materials		9		11		7
Elastomer Composites		23		17		17
Specialty Fluids		94		69		81
Segment Sales	$	210	$	186	$	186
Segment EBIT	$	49	$	31	$	50

Sales in Advanced Technologies increased by $24 million in fiscal 2012 when compared to fiscal 2011. The increase is primarily due to higher volumes and higher pricing in the Specialty Fluids Business. Sales in Advanced Technologies were consistent in fiscal 2011 when compared to fiscal 2010, with revenue increases in the Inkjet Colorants and Security Materials Businesses offset by lower revenue in the Specialty Fluids Business. Revenue increases were driven by higher volumes in the Inkjet Colorants Business and sales of security taggants and incremental revenue resulting from the acquisition of Oxonica Materials Inc. in the Security Materials Business. The decrease in Specialty Fluids revenue was principally due to a less favorable mix of business, including jobs that were smaller and shorter in duration.

EBIT in Advanced Technologies increased by $18 million in fiscal 2012 when compared to fiscal 2011. The increase was driven by higher volumes ($21 million) in the Specialty Fluids, Inkjet Colorants and Elastomer Composites Businesses partially offset by lower volumes in the Aerogel Business. Higher fixed manufacturing costs in the Elastomer Composites Business and from new capacity in the Inkjet Colorants Business ($4 million) partially offset the higher volumes. EBIT in Advanced Technologies for fiscal 2011 declined by $19 million when compared to fiscal 2010. The decline was driven by a less favorable mix of business, including jobs that were smaller and shorter in duration in our Specialty Fluids Business and the timing of payments associated with certain milestones in our Elastomer Composites Business.

Purification Solutions

Sales and EBIT for Purification Solutions for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Segment Sales	$	61	$	N/A	$	N/A
Segment EBIT	$	5	$	N/A	$	N/A

In fiscal 2012, we purchased all of the issued and outstanding shares of Norit N.V. (“Norit”) for a purchase price of $1.1 billion. The transaction was completed on July 31, 2012. Our results for the twelve month period ended September 30, 2012 include two months of results of Norit.

Cash Flows and Liquidity

Overview

Our liquidity position, as measured by cash and cash equivalents plus borrowing availability, decreased by $127 million during fiscal 2012. The decrease was attributable to our decreased cash position and an increase in borrowings under our committed borrowing facilities resulting from the acquisition of Norit. At September 30, 2012, we had cash and cash equivalents of $120 million, and current availability under our revolving credit agreement of approximately $560 million.

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In July 2012, we entered into several financing arrangements to finance, in part, our acquisition of Norit. Specifically, we issued $250 million of senior notes with a coupon rate of 2.55% maturing in January 2018 and $350 million of senior notes with a coupon rate of 3.70% maturing in July 2022 (referred to collectively as the “Notes”). Interest on the Notes is payable on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2013. In addition, we exercised the expansion option under our revolving credit agreement, increasing to $750 million the aggregate commitments available thereunder. The proceeds from the Notes were used to pay the purchase price for the acquisition, and the balance of the purchase price was paid with borrowings under the credit agreement and cash on hand. The credit agreement contains affirmative, negative and financial covenants and events of default customary for financings of this type. The financial covenants in the credit agreement include interest coverage, debt-to-EBITDA and subsidiary debt to total capitalization ratios. As of September 30, 2012, we were in compliance with all applicable covenants.

We anticipate sufficient liquidity from (i) cash on hand; (ii) cash flows from operating activities; and (iii) cash available from our credit agreement to meet our operational and capital investment needs and financial obligations for the foreseeable future. Our liquidity derived from cash flows from operations is, to a large degree, predicated on our ability to collect our receivables in a timely manner, the cost of our raw materials, and our ability to manage inventory levels.

We generally manage our cash and debt on a global basis to provide for working capital requirements as needed by region or site. Cash and debt are generally denominated in the local currency of the subsidiary holding the assets or liabilities, except where there are operational cash flow reasons to hold non-functional currency or debt. As of September 30, 2012 our USD equivalent holdings by region were: Asia Pacific $33 million, Europe $48 million, and the Americas $39 million, which included $6 million in the U.S.

Discontinued Operations

Our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have been presented to include discontinued operations with continuing operations. Therefore, unless noted otherwise, the following discussion of our cash flows and liquidity position include both continuing and discontinued operations.

In January 2012, we completed the sale of our Supermetals Business, which we classified as discontinued operations beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 when we entered into the sale and purchase agreement for its sale. A detailed discussion of the transaction and the consideration we received appears in Note D in the Consolidated Financial Statements. In connection with the sale, we received $175 million on the closing date and notes for additional minimum consideration totaling approximately $277 million payable at various dates through the second quarter of fiscal 2014. In fiscal 2012, we received $23 million payable under the notes and an additional $6 million as a post-closing purchase price adjustment.

The following discussion of the changes in our cash balance refers to the various sections of our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Cash generated by operating activities, which consists of net income adjusted for the various non-cash items included in income, changes in working capital and changes in certain other balance sheet accounts, totaled $415 million in fiscal 2012. Operating activities provided $195 million and $249 million in fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Cash generated from operating activities in fiscal 2012 was driven primarily by net income of $406 million plus $156 million of depreciation and amortization and a decrease in working capital of $76 million (Inventories plus Accounts and notes receivable, less Accounts payable and accrued liabilities). Our fiscal 2012 working capital decrease when compared to fiscal 2011 was primarily driven by higher Accounts payable and accrued liabilities ($100 million) partially offset by higher Inventories ($30 million).

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Cash generated from operating activities in fiscal 2011 was driven primarily by net income of $258 million plus $144 million of depreciation and amortization and $19 million of non-cash compensation, partially offset by a net increase in working capital of $167 million (Inventories plus Accounts and notes receivable, less Accounts payable and accrued liabilities). Our working capital increase in fiscal 2011 was driven principally by higher pricing and raw material costs when compared to fiscal 2010 and is comprised of higher accounts receivable ($111 million) and inventories ($79 million), offset by an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities ($23 million). Despite increased revenue, operating cash flows decreased in fiscal 2011 as a result of the corresponding growth of inventories, accounts receivable, and accounts payable.

Cash generated from operating activities in fiscal 2010 was driven primarily by net income of $169 million plus $143 million of depreciation and amortization and $27 million of non-cash compensation, partially offset by a net increase in working capital of $76 million. Our working capital increase in fiscal 2010 was driven principally by higher sales volumes when compared to fiscal 2009 and is comprised of higher accounts receivable ($116 million) and inventories ($7 million), offset by an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities ($47 million).

In addition to the working capital movements noted above, the following other elements of operations have had a bearing on operating cash flows:

Restructurings—As of September 30, 2012, we had $5 million of total restructuring costs in accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheet related to our global restructuring activities. We made cash payments of $14 million during fiscal 2012 related to these restructuring plans. We expect to make cash payments related to these restructuring activities of approximately $7 million in fiscal 2013 and less than $1 million thereafter (which includes the $5 million already accrued in the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2012).

Environmental Reserves and Litigation Matters—We have recorded a $7 million reserve on both a discounted and undiscounted basis as of September 30, 2012 for environmental remediation costs at various sites. These sites are primarily associated with businesses divested in prior years. We anticipate that the expenditures at these sites will be made over a number of years, and will not be concentrated in any one year. Additionally, as of September 30, 2012 we have recorded a $13 million reserve on a discounted basis ($17 million on an undiscounted basis) for respirator claims. These expenditures will also be incurred over several years. We also have other litigation costs arising in the ordinary course of business.

The following table represents the estimated future undiscounted payments related to our environmental and respirator reserves.

	Future Payments by Fiscal Year
	2013		2014		2015		2016		2017		Thereafter		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Environmental	$	3	$	1	$	1	$	1	$	—	$	1	$	7
Litigation—respirator		2		2		2		2		1		8		17
Total	$	5	$	3	$	3	$	3	$	1	$	9	$	24

Operating Activities—Other

Venezuela

We own 49% of an operating affiliate in Venezuela, which is accounted for as an equity affiliate, through our wholly owned subsidiaries that carry the investment and receive its dividends. As of September 30, 2012 these subsidiaries carried the operating affiliate investment of $25 million, and held 21 million bolivars ($5 million) in cash.

The Venezuelan bolivar may only be exchanged for foreign currencies through certain Venezuelan government controlled channels. The channels available are the Venezuelan central bank (“CADIVI”) and

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Venezuelan government and government-backed bond offerings. The bond offerings use a bidding process, where companies and individuals requiring U.S. dollars place a request for a fixed sum, and CADIVI then allocates out the pool of U.S. dollars in that issuance.

An inability to convert the operating affiliate’s earnings into U.S. dollars would be considered an indicator of impairment, requiring a full impairment analysis of our investment. Therefore, we closely monitor our ability to convert our bolivar holdings into U.S. dollars, as we still intend to convert substantially all bolivars held by our Venezuelan subsidiaries to U.S. dollars as soon as practical.

Any future change in the CADIVI official rate or opening of additional parallel markets could lead us to use a different exchange rate and result in gains or losses on our bolivar-denominated assets held by our subsidiaries.

Employee Benefit Plans

As of September 30, 2012 we had a consolidated pension and postretirement benefit obligation, net of the fair value of plan assets, of $194 million, comprised of $112 million for pension benefit plan liabilities and $82 million for postretirement benefit plan liabilities.

The $112 million of unfunded pension benefit plan liabilities is derived as follows:

	U.S.			Foreign			Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Fair Value of Plan Assets	$	149		$	356		$	505
Benefit Obligation		(195	)		(422	)		(617	)
Unfunded Status	$	(46	)	$	(66	)	$	(112	)

In fiscal 2012, we made cash contributions totaling approximately $10 million to our foreign pension benefit plans and $7 million to our U.S. pension plan. For fiscal 2013, we expect to make cash contributions of less than $1 million to our U.S. pension plan and approximately $12 million to our foreign pension plans.

The $82 million of unfunded postretirement benefit plan liabilities is comprised of $64 million for our U.S. and $18 million for our foreign postretirement benefit plans. These postretirement benefit plans provide certain health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees. Typical of such plans, our postretirement plans are unfunded and, therefore, have no plan assets. We fund these plans as claims or insurance premiums come due. In fiscal 2012, we paid postretirement benefits of $5 million under our U.S. postretirement plans and less than $1 million under our foreign postretirement plans. For fiscal 2013, we expect to make benefit payments of approximately $6 million under our U.S. postretirement plans and $1 million under our foreign postretirement plans.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Cash flows from investing activities were primarily driven by cash paid for the acquisition of Norit ($1.1 billion) and capital expenditures ($281 million). Partially offsetting these decreases were proceeds from the sale of our Supermetals Business and payments on notes relating to the sale (totaling $204 million). Net cash used in investing activities totaled $1.2 billion.

Capital expenditures totaled $281 million, $230 million and $108 million in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. In each of these years, expenditures were primarily related to expansion of our manufacturing footprint in the Asia Pacific region, replacement capital projects for our operating facilities, investments in energy recovery technology, and capital spending required for process technology and product differentiation projects. In addition, in fiscal 2010, capital expenditures included funds for the completion of our specialty compounds facility in Dubai.

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Cash used in investing activities for fiscal 2011 includes approximately $6 million of additions to property, plant and equipment in the Supermetals Business.

Capital expenditures for fiscal 2013 are expected to be between $250 million and $300 million. Our planned capital spending program for fiscal 2013 is primarily for capacity expansions, higher spending for ongoing sustaining and replacement capital as well as investments in energy related projects.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Financing activities provided $606 million of cash in fiscal 2012 compared to a use of $72 million of cash in fiscal 2011 and $57 million in fiscal 2010. In fiscal 2012, our overall debt balance increased by $693 million primarily relating to financing our acquisition of Norit. The cash provided by this financing was partially offset by cash used to purchase shares of our common stock on the open market of $36 million and to make dividend payments to our stockholders of $49 million. In fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, financing cash flows were primarily driven by changes in debt levels and dividend payments. In addition, in fiscal 2011 we repurchased approximately 1.6 million shares of our common stock on the open market for $59 million.

The Supermetals Business did not have significant Cash Flows from Financing Activities in fiscal 2012 or fiscal 2011.

Debt

The following table provides a summary of our outstanding long-term debt.

	September 30
	2012			2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Variable rate debt	$	200		$	15
Interest rate swaps—fixed to variable(1)		2			58
Total variable rate debt		202			73
Fixed rate debt, net of discount		1,143			585
Interest rate swaps—fixed to variable(1)		(2	)		(58	)
Total fixed rate debt		1,141			527
Unamortized bond discounts		(2	)		(2	)
Capital leases		16			15
Total debt		1,357			613
Less current portion of long-term debt		(185	)		(57	)
Total long-term debt	$	1,172		$	556

⁽¹⁾  The face value of debt swapped from fixed rate to variable rate using interest rate swaps is presented above in order to view our effective fixed and variable debt balances.

In fiscal 2012, our net debt balance increased by $693 million, primarily to finance the purchase of Norit. In fiscal 2011, net proceeds from certain short term financing arrangements totaled $56 million, offset by long-term debt repayments of $21 million. In fiscal 2010, because of our strong operating cash flows and the proceeds obtained in fiscal 2009 from the issuance of the 5% Notes due in 2016, we had little movement in financing cash flows apart from our on-going dividend payments to our shareholders. We had $560 million of availability under our credit agreement as of September 30, 2012.

Our long-term total debt, of which $185 million is current, matures at various times as presented in the Contractual Obligations table. The increase in the current portion of long-term debt from fiscal 2011 to fiscal 2012 is due principally to amounts which were classified as long-term in fiscal 2011, which are due

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within twelve months of the end of fiscal 2012. The weighted-average interest rate on our fixed rate long-term debt was 4.31%, including the effects of the interest rate swaps. The weighted-average interest rate on variable interest rate long-term debt was 1% as of September 30, 2012, including the effects of the interest rate swaps.

At September 30, 2012, we have provided standby letters of credit and bank guarantees totaling $20 million, which expire through fiscal 2014.

Share repurchases

During fiscal 2012, we repurchased approximately 1.1 million shares of our common stock on the open market for an aggregate purchase price of $36 million. As of September 30, 2012, we had approximately 1.6 million shares available for repurchase under the Board of Directors’ share repurchase authorization.

Dividend payments

In fiscal 2012, we paid cash dividends on our common stock of $0.76 per share. In each of fiscal 2011 and 2010, we paid cash dividends on our common stock of $0.72 per share. These cash dividend payments totaled $49 million in fiscal 2012 and $47 million in each of fiscal 2011 and 2010.

Off-balance sheet arrangements

We had no material transactions that meet the definition of an off-balance sheet arrangement.

Contractual Obligations

The following table sets forth our long-term contractual obligations, excluding those attributable to our discontinued operations, which are described in greater detail in Note T in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Variable interest is based on the variable debt outstanding and prevailing variable interest rates as of September 30, 2012, and the table includes the impact of our interest rate swaps that change fixed rates to floating rates.

	Payments Due by Fiscal Year
	2013		2014		2015		2016		2017		Thereafter		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Contractual Obligations(1)
Purchase commitments	$	452	$	318	$	297	$	235	$	208	$	2,888	$	4,398
Long-term debt(2)		182		17		—		189		300		653		1,341
Capital lease obligations		1		1		1		1		1		11		16
Fixed interest on long-term debt		48		39		38		38		23		76		262
Variable interest on long-term debt		4		4		3		2		—		—		13
Operating leases		22		17		14		10		5		27		95
Total	$	709	$	396	$	353	$	475	$	537	$	3,655	$	6,125

⁽¹⁾  We are unable to estimate the timing of potential future payments related to our accrual for uncertain tax positions in the amount of $39 million at September 30, 2012.

⁽²⁾  Payment of long-term debt excludes settlements of cross currency swaps.

Purchase commitments

We have entered into long-term, volume-based purchase agreements primarily for the purchase of raw materials and natural gas with various key suppliers in Reinforcement Materials, Performance Materials, and Purification Solutions. Under certain of these agreements the quantity of material being purchased is fixed, but the price we pay changes as market prices change. For purposes of the table above, current purchase prices have been used to quantify total commitments.

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Capital Leases

We have capital lease obligations primarily for certain equipment and buildings. These obligations are payable over the next 28 years.

Operating Leases

We have operating leases primarily comprised of leases for transportation vehicles, warehouse facilities, office space, and machinery and equipment.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates because we finance certain operations through long- and short-term borrowings and denominate our transactions in a variety of foreign currencies. Changes in these rates may have an impact on future cash flows and earnings. We manage these risks through normal operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments.

We have policies governing our use of derivative instruments, and we do not enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

By using derivative instruments, we are subject to credit and market risk. The derivative instruments are booked to our balance sheet at fair market value and reflect the asset or (liability) position as of September 30, 2012. If a counterparty fails to fulfill its performance obligations under a derivative contract, our exposure will equal the fair value of the derivative. Generally, when the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, the counterparty owes Cabot, thus creating a payment risk for Cabot. We minimize counterparty credit (or repayment) risk by entering into these transactions with major financial institutions of investment grade credit rating. As of September 30, 2012, the counterparties that we have executed derivatives with were rated between A- and AA-, inclusive, by Standard and Poor’s. Our exposure to market risk is not hedged in a manner that completely eliminates the effects of changing market conditions on earnings or cash flow.

Interest Rate Risk

As of September 30, 2012, we had long-term debt, including the current portion, totaling $1,357 million, which has both variable and fixed interest rate components. We have entered into interest rate swaps as a hedge to a portion of our underlying debt instruments to effectively change the characteristics of the interest rate without changing the debt instrument. For fixed rate debt, interest rate changes affect the fair value, but do not impact earnings or cash flows. Conversely, for floating rate debt, interest rate changes generally do not affect the fair value, but do impact future earnings and cash flows, assuming other factors are held constant. As most of our long-term debt was issued at fixed rates, we use interest rate swaps as a means to achieve a different fixed-to-floating interest rate mix.

The table below summarizes the principal terms of our interest rate swap transaction, including the notional amount of the swap, the interest rate payment we receive from and pay to our swap counterparty, the term of the transaction, and its fair value at September 30, 2012.

Description	Notional Amount	Receive	Pay	Fiscal Year Entered into	Maturity (Fiscal Year)	Fair Market Value at September 30, 2012 Asset/ (Liability)
						(USD)
Interest Rate Swaps—Fixed to Variable	USD 35 million	5.25% Fixed	U.S.-6 month LIBOR + 0.62%	2003	2013	2 million

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Foreign Currency Risk

Our international operations are subject to certain risks, including currency exchange rate fluctuations and government actions. Currently, we have issued debt denominated in U.S. dollars and then entered into cross currency swaps that exchange our dollar principal and interest payments into a currency where we expect long-term, stable cash receipts. The following table summarizes the principal terms of our long-term foreign currency swap transactions, including the notional amount of the swap, the interest rate payment we receive from and pay to our swap counterparty, the term of the transaction and its fair market value at September 30, 2012.

Description	Net Notional Amount	Receive	Pay	Fiscal Year Entered Into	Maturity Year	Fair Market Value at September 30, 2012
						(USD)
Cross Currency Swaps	USD 140 million swapped to EUR 124 million	5.25% Fixed	5.43% Fixed	2003	2013	(22 million)
	USD 35 million swapped to EUR 31 million	US-6 month LIBOR	EUR-6 month LIBOR	2003	2013	(5 million)

Foreign currency exposures also relate to assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies other than the functional currency of a given subsidiary as well as the risk that currency fluctuations could affect the dollar value of future cash flows generated in foreign currencies. Accordingly, we use short-term forward contracts to minimize the exposure to foreign currency risk. At September 30, 2012, we had $109 million in net notional foreign currency contracts, which were denominated in the Australian dollar, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi, Euro, and Japanese yen. These forwards had a fair value of ($1 million) as of September 30, 2012. Of the $109 million in net notional foreign currency contracts, $3 million related to contracts denominated in Japanese Yen which were designated as a cash flow hedge. These hedge contracts had a fair value of less than $1 million at September 30, 2012.

In certain situations where we have a long-term commitment denominated in a foreign currency we may enter into appropriate financial instruments in accordance with our risk management policy to hedge future cash flow exposures.

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Description		Page
(1)	Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2012, 2011, and 2010		55
(2)	Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2012 and 2011		56
(3)	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010		58
(4)	Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2012, 2011, and 2010		59
(5)	Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements		62
(6)	Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		113

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CABOT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(In millions, except per share amounts)
Net sales and other operating revenues	$	3,300		$	3,102		$	2,716
Cost of sales		2,652			2,544			2,206
Gross profit		648			558			510
Selling and administrative expenses		285			249			241
Research and technical expenses		73			66			65
Income from operations		290			243			204
Interest and dividend income		4			2			2
Interest expense		(46	)		(39	)		(40	)
Other expense		(3	)		(3	)		—
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies		245			203			166
Provision for income taxes		(55	)		(6	)		(30	)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax of $5, $5 and $4		11			8			7
Income from continuing operations		201			205			143
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax of $116, $29 and $16		205			53			26
Net income		406			258			169
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax of $7, $4 and $3		18			22			15
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	388		$	236		$	154
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, in millions:
Basic		63.4			64.6			63.8
Diluted		64.2			65.4			64.3
Income per common share:
Basic:
Income from continuing operations attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	2.87		$	2.80		$	1.96
Income from discontinued operations		3.20			0.82			0.41
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	6.07		$	3.62		$	2.37
Diluted:
Income from continuing operations attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	2.83		$	2.77		$	1.94
Income from discontinued operations		3.16			0.80			0.41
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	5.99		$	3.57		$	2.35
Dividends per common share	$	0.76		$	0.72		$	0.72

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

55

CABOT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

ASSETS

	September 30
	2012			2011
	(In millions, except share and per share amounts)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	120		$	286
Accounts and notes receivable, net of reserve for doubtful accounts of $5 and $4		687			659
Inventories		533			393
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		71			76
Deferred income taxes		32			35
Current assets held for sale		—			106
Total current assets		1,443			1,555
Property, plant and equipment		3,511			2,967
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(1,959	)		(1,931	)
Net property, plant and equipment		1,552			1,036
Goodwill		480			40
Equity affiliates		115			60
Intangible assets, net		330			3
Assets held for rent		46			46
Notes receivable from sale of business		242			—
Deferred income taxes		94			261
Other assets		97			101
Noncurrent assets held for sale		—			39
Total assets	$	4,399		$	3,141

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

56

CABOT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

	September 30
	2012			2011
	(In millions, except share and per share amounts)
Current liabilities:
Notes payable to banks	$	62		$	86
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		606			461
Income taxes payable		59			34
Deferred income taxes		7			6
Current portion of long-term debt		185			57
Current liabilities held for sale		—			12
Total current liabilities		919			656
Long-term debt		1,172			556
Deferred income taxes		55			8
Other liabilities		314			299
Noncurrent liabilities held for sale		—			6
Commitments and contingencies (Note T)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock:
Authorized: 2,000,000 shares of $1 par value
Issued and Outstanding: None and none		—			—
Common stock:
Authorized: 200,000,000 shares of $1 par value
Issued: 63,600,928 and 63,894,443 shares
Outstanding: 63,347,362 and 63,860,777 shares		64			64
Less cost of 253,565 and 33,666 shares of common treasury stock		(8	)		(1	)
Additional paid-in capital		20			18
Retained earnings		1,653			1,314
Deferred employee benefits		(8	)		(14	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		92			106
Total Cabot Corporation stockholders’ equity		1,813			1,487
Noncontrolling interests		126			129
Total stockholders’ equity		1,939			1,616
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	4,399		$	3,141

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

57

CABOT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(In millions)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$	406		$	258		$	169
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		156			144			143
Deferred tax provision		(6	)		(25	)		(2	)
Gain on sale of business, net of tax		(191	)		—			—
Impairment charges		—			—			2
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment		1			2			6
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		(11	)		(8	)		(7	)
Non-cash compensation		18			19			27
Other non-cash (income) charges, net		3			(3	)		(5	)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable		6			(111	)		(116	)
Inventories		(30	)		(79	)		(7	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		26			(17	)		(18	)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		100			23			47
Income taxes payable		(13	)		1			7
Other liabilities		(38	)		(12	)		(7	)
Cash dividends received from equity affiliates		6			4			6
Other		(18	)		(1	)		4
Cash provided by operating activities		415			195			249
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment		(281	)		(230	)		(108	)
Proceeds from sale of business		181			—			—
Receipts from notes receivable from sale of business		23			—			—
Investment in equity affiliate		—			(2	)		—
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired		(1,104	)		—			(5	)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment		2			6			6
(Increase) decrease in assets held for rent		(1	)		(6	)		2
Settlement of derivatives		—			—			(7	)
Cash used in investing activities		(1,180	)		(232	)		(112	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Borrowings under financing arrangements		84			71			37
Repayments under financing arrangements		(88	)		(45	)		(31	)
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of issuance costs		911			—			—
Repayments of long-term debt		(172	)		(21	)		(6	)
(Decrease) increase in notes payable to banks, net		(42	)		30			(8	)
Proceeds from cash contributions received from noncontrolling stockholders		4			—			—
Purchases of common stock		(36	)		(59	)		(5	)
Proceeds from sales of common stock		10			11			9
Cash dividends paid to noncontrolling interests		(16	)		(12	)		(6	)
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders		(49	)		(47	)		(47	)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities		606			(72	)		(57	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		(7	)		8			3
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(166	)		(101	)		83
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		286			387			304
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	120		$	286		$	387
Income taxes paid	$	73		$	64		$	43
Interest paid		39			34			28
Non-cash additions to property, plant and equipment		4			14			—

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

58

CABOT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Years Ended September 30

(In millions, except shares in thousands)

2010	Common Stock, Net of Treasury Stock						Additional Paid-in Capital			Retained Earnings			Deferred Employee Benefits			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Total Cabot Corporation Stockholders’ Equity			Non- controlling Interests			Total Stockholders’ Equity			Comprehensive Income
	Shares			Cost
Balance at September 30, 2009		65,309		$	63		$	18		$	1,018		$	(25	)	$	60		$	1,134		$	103		$	1,237
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation											154																	$	154
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $4																	43												43
Change in employee benefit plans, net of tax of $6																	(15	)											(15	)
Total other comprehensive income																												$	28
Comprehensive income attributable to Cabot Corporation																				182								$	182
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax of $3																							15						15
Noncontrolling interests—foreign currency translation adjustment																							2						2
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests																												$	17
Comprehensive income																										199		$	199
Contribution from noncontrolling interests																							1			1
Noncontrolling interest—dividends																							(6	)		(6	)
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders											(47	)								(47	)					(47	)
Issuance of stock under employee compensation plans, net of forfeitures		283			1			8												9						9
Amortization of share-based compensation								18												18						18
Purchase and retirement of common and treasury stock		(222	)		(1	)		(4	)											(5	)					(5	)
Principal payment by Employee Stock Ownership Plan under guaranteed loan														5						5						5
Notes receivable for restricted stock-payments								6												6						6
Balance at September 30, 2010		65,370		$	63		$	46		$	1,125		$	(20	)	$	88		$	1,302		$	115		$	1,417

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

59

CABOT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Years Ended September 30

(In millions, except shares in thousands)

	Common Stock, Net of Treasury Stock						Additional Paid-in Capital			Retained Earnings			Deferred Employee Benefits			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Total Cabot Corporation Stockholders’ Equity			Non- controlling Interests			Total Stockholders’ Equity			Comprehensive Income
2011	Shares			Cost
Balance at September 30, 2010		65,370		$	63		$	46		$	1,125		$	(20	)	$	88		$	1,302		$	115		$	1,417
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation											236																	$	236
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $3																	19												19
Change in unrealized loss on investments and derivative instruments, net of tax of $ -																	(1	)											(1	)
Total other comprehensive income																												$	18
Comprehensive income attributable to Cabot Corporation																				254								$	254
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax of $4																							22						22
Noncontrolling interests—foreign currency translation adjustment																							3						3
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests																												$	25
Comprehensive income																										279		$	279
Noncontrolling interest—dividends																							(11	)		(11	)
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders											(47	)								(47	)					(47	)
Issuance of stock under employee compensation plans, net of forfeitures		294			1			7												8						8
Amortization of share-based compensation								17												17						17
Purchase and retirement of common and treasury stock		(1,803	)		(1	)		(58	)											(59	)					(59	)
Principal payment by Employee Stock
Ownership Plan under guaranteed loan														6						6						6
Notes receivable for restricted stock-payments								6												6						6
Balance at September 30, 2011		63,861		$	63		$	18		$	1,314		$	(14	)	$	106		$	1,487		$	129		$	1,616

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

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CABOT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Years Ended September 30

(In millions, except shares in thousands)

	Common Stock, Net of Treasury Stock						Additional Paid-in Capital			Retained Earnings			Deferred Employee Benefits			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Total Cabot Corporation Stockholders’ Equity			Non- controlling Interests			Total Stockholders’ Equity			Comprehensive Income
2012	Shares			Cost
Balance at September 30, 2011		63,861		$	63		$	18		$	1,314		$	(14	)	$	106		$	1,487		$	129		$	1,616
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation											388																	$	388
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $2																	4												4
Change in unrealized loss on investments and derivative instruments, net of tax of $ -																	(1	)											(1	)
Change in employee benefit plans, net of tax of $9																	(17	)											(17	)
Total other comprehensive income																												$	(14	)
Comprehensive income attributable to Cabot Corporation																				374								$	374
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax of $7																							18						18
Noncontrolling interests—foreign currency translation adjustment																							(1	)					(1	)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests,																												$	17
Comprehensive income																										391		$	391
Noncontrolling interest—other																							4			4
Noncontrolling interest— dividends																							(24	)		(24	)
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders											(49	)								(49	)					(49	)
Issuance of stock under employee compensation plans, net of forfeitures		611			2			13												15						15
Amortization of share-based compensation								15												15						15
Purchase and retirement of common and treasury stock		(1,124	)		(9	)		(27	)											(36	)					(36	)
Principal payment by Employee Stock Ownership Plan under guaranteed loan														6						6						6
Notes receivable for restricted stock-payments								1												1						1
Balance at September 30, 2012		63,348		$	56		$	20		$	1,653		$	(8	)	$	92		$	1,813		$	126		$	1,939

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note A. Significant Accounting Policies

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The significant accounting policies of Cabot Corporation (“Cabot” or “the Company”) are described below. Certain changes have been made to reportable segment information for prior years to reflect changes made in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 related to changes in the Company’s reporting segments.

On January 20, 2012, the Company completed the sale of its Supermetals Business. The applicable assets and liabilities of the business have been classified as held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2011 and the results of its operations for all periods presented are reflected as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Unless otherwise indicated, all disclosures and amounts in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements relate to the Company’s continuing operations.

On July 31, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of Norit N.V. (“Norit”). The financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Norit are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of acquisition.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cabot and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and majority-owned and controlled U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries. Additionally, Cabot considers consolidation of entities over which control is achieved through means other than voting rights, of which there were none in the periods presented. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at date of acquisition. Cabot continually assesses the liquidity of cash and cash equivalents and, as of September 30, 2012, has determined that they are readily convertible to cash.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of all carbon black inventories in the U.S. is determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. The cost of Specialty Fluids inventories is determined using the average cost method. The cost of other U.S. and all non-U.S. inventories is determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method.

Investments

The Company has investments in equity affiliates and marketable securities. As circumstances warrant, all investments are subject to periodic impairment reviews. Unless consolidation is required, investments in equity affiliates, where Cabot generally owns between 20% and 50% of the affiliate, are accounted for using the equity method. Cabot records its share of the equity affiliate’s results of operations based on its percentage of ownership of the affiliate. Dividends received from equity affiliates are a return on investment and are recorded as a reduction to the equity investment value. At September 30, 2012 and 2011, Cabot had equity affiliate investments of $115 million (including Norit’s investments) and $60 million, respectively. Dividends declared from these investments were $6 million, $5 million and $6 million in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

All investments in marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value with the corresponding unrealized holding gains or losses, net of taxes, recorded as a separate component of other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity. Unrealized losses that are determined to be other-than-temporary, based on current and expected market conditions, are recognized in earnings. The fair value of marketable securities is determined based on quoted market prices at the balance sheet dates. The cost of marketable securities sold is determined by the specific identification method.

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Short-term investments consist of investments in marketable securities with maturities of one year or less. The Company’s investment in marketable securities was immaterial as of both September 30, 2012 and 2011.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives. The depreciable lives for buildings, machinery and equipment, and other fixed assets are twenty to twenty-five years, ten to twenty years, and three to twenty-five years, respectively. The cost and accumulated depreciation for property, plant and equipment sold, retired, or otherwise disposed of are removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheets and resulting gains or losses are included in earnings in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expenses as incurred. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments, which significantly extend the useful lives of existing plant and equipment, are capitalized and depreciated.

Cabot capitalizes interest costs when they are part of the historical cost of acquiring and constructing certain assets that require a period of time to prepare for their intended use. During fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, Cabot capitalized $4 million, $2 million and $1 million of interest costs, respectively. These amounts will be amortized over the life of the related assets.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

The Company records tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. Amounts paid for an acquisition are allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is comprised of the purchase price of business acquisitions in excess of the fair value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired.

The Company uses assumptions and estimates in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. The determination of the fair value of intangible assets requires the use of significant judgment with regard to (i) assumptions used in the determination of fair value; and (ii) determination of their useful lives. The Company estimates the fair value of identifiable acquisition-related intangible assets principally based on projections of cash flows that will arise from these assets. The projected cash flows are discounted to determine the present value of the assets at the dates of acquisition. The Company reviews definite-lived intangible assets for impairment when indication of potential impairment exists, such as a significant reduction in cash flows associated with the assets. Actual cash flows arising from a particular intangible asset could vary from projected cash flows which could imply different carrying values from those established at the dates of acquisition and which could result in impairment of such asset. The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually and when events occur or circumstances change that may reduce the fair value of the asset below its carrying amount. Cabot’s intangible assets are primarily comprised of trademarks, customer relationships, patented and unpatented technology and other intellectual property. Finite lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Amortization expense was $3 million in fiscal 2012 and less than $1 million in both 2011 and 2010.

Goodwill is not amortized but is reviewed for impairment annually, or when events or changes in the business environment indicate that the carrying value of the reporting unit may exceed its fair value. During fiscal 2012, the Company adopted the authoritative guidance that simplifies how entities test goodwill for impairment and permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value amount and as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. Alternatively, the Company may elect to proceed directly to the two-step goodwill impairment test. If an initial qualitative

63

assessment identifies that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, additional quantitative evaluation is performed under the two-step impairment test. If based on the quantitative evaluation the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Company performs an analysis of the fair value of all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. If the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is determined to be less than its carrying amount, an impairment is recognized for the difference.

The fair value of a reporting unit is primarily based on discounted estimated future cash flows. The assumptions used to estimate fair value include management’s best estimates of future growth rates, operating cash flows, capital expenditures, discount rates and market conditions over an estimate of the remaining operating period at the reporting unit level. If an impairment exists, a loss is recorded to write-down the value of goodwill to its implied fair value.

Assets Held for Rent

Assets held for rent represent Specialty Fluids cesium formate product that will be rented to customers in the normal course of business. Assets held for rent are stated at average cost.

Assets Held for Sale

Cabot classifies its long-lived assets as held for sale when management commits to a plan to sell the assets, the assets are ready for immediate sale in their present condition, an active program to locate buyers has been initiated, the sale of the assets is probable and expected to be completed within one year, the assets are marketed at reasonable prices in relation to their fair value and it is unlikely that significant changes will be made to the plan to sell the assets. The Company measures the value of long-lived assets held for sale at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less cost to sell.

Assets and liabilities held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2011 pertain to applicable assets and liabilities of the Supermetals Business. See Note D for additional information.

Asset Retirement Obligations

Cabot estimates incremental costs for special handling, removal and disposal of materials that may or will give rise to conditional asset retirement obligations (“ARO”) and then discounts the expected costs back to the current year using a credit adjusted risk free rate. Cabot recognizes ARO when the timing and/or settlement can be reasonably estimated. The ARO reserves were $18 million and $7 million at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In fiscal 2012, the Company assumed asset retirement obligations of $10 million in the acquisition of Norit. In addition, the Company made changes to its cash flow estimates for its other ARO resulting in an additional liability of $1 million.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Cabot’s long-lived assets primarily include property, plant and equipment, long-term investments, assets held for rent and sale and intangible assets. The carrying values of long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable and annually for indefinite-lived assets. An asset impairment is recognized when the carrying value of the asset is not recoverable based on the probability-weighted undiscounted estimated future cash flows to be generated by the asset. Cabot’s estimates reflect management’s assumptions about selling prices, production and sales volumes, costs and market conditions over an estimate of the remaining operating period. If an impairment is indicated, the asset is written down to fair value. If the asset does not have a readily determinable market value, a discounted cash flow model may be used to determine the fair value of the asset. The key inputs to the discounted cash flow would be the same as the undiscounted cash flow noted above, with the addition of the discount rate used. In circumstances when an asset does not have separate identifiable cash flows, an impairment charge is recorded when Cabot no longer intends to use the asset.

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Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency of the majority of Cabot’s foreign subsidiaries is the local currency in which the subsidiary operates. Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates. Income and expense items are translated at average monthly exchange rates during the year. Unrealized currency translation adjustments are included as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity.

Realized and unrealized foreign currency gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in currencies other than the subsidiary’s functional currency are reflected in earnings with the exception of (i) intercompany transactions considered to be of a long-term investment nature; and (ii) foreign currency borrowings designated as net investment hedges. Gains or losses arising from these transactions are included as a component of other comprehensive income. In fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, net foreign currency transaction losses of $2 million, losses of $6 million and gains of less than $1 million, respectively, are included in Other expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as part of continuing operations.

Financial Instruments

Cabot’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, investments, notes receivable from the sale of a business, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, short-term and long-term debt, and derivative instruments. The carrying values of Cabot’s financial instruments approximate fair value with the exception of long-term debt that has not been designated as part of a fair value hedge. The non-hedged long-term debt is recorded at amortized cost. The fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are based on quoted market prices, if such prices are available. In situations where quoted market prices are not available, the Company relies on valuation models to derive fair value. Such valuation takes into account the ability of the financial counterparty to perform.

Cabot uses derivative financial instruments primarily for purposes of hedging exposures to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, which exist as part of its on-going business operations. Cabot does not enter into derivative contracts for speculative purposes, nor does it hold or issue any derivative contracts for trading purposes. All derivatives are recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Where Cabot has a legal right to offset derivative settlements under a master netting agreement with a counterparty, derivatives with that counterparty are presented on a net basis. The changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded in either earnings or Accumulated other comprehensive income, depending on whether or not the instrument is designated as part of a hedge transaction and, if designated as part of a hedge transaction, the type of hedge transaction. The gains or losses on derivative instruments reported in Accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified to earnings in the period in which earnings are affected by the underlying hedged item. The ineffective portion of all hedges is recognized in earnings during the period in which the ineffectiveness occurs.

In accordance with Cabot’s risk management strategy, the Company may enter into certain derivative instruments that may not be designated as hedges for hedge accounting purposes. Although these derivatives are not designated as hedges, the Company believes that such instruments are closely correlated with the underlying exposure, thus managing the associated risk. The Company records in earnings the gains or losses from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges. Cash movements associated with these instruments are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as Cash Flows from Operating Activities because the derivatives are designed to mitigate risk to the Company’s cash flow from operations.

Revenue Recognition

Cabot recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.

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Cabot generally is able to ensure that products meet customer specifications prior to shipment. If the Company is unable to determine that the product has met the specified objective criteria prior to shipment or if title has not transferred because of sales terms, the revenue is considered “unearned” and is deferred until the revenue recognition criteria are met.

Shipping and handling charges related to sales transactions are recorded as sales revenue when billed to customers or included in the sales price.

The following table shows the relative size of the revenue recognized in each of the Company’s reportable segments:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
Reinforcement Materials		63	%		65	%		63	%
Performance Materials		28	%		29	%		30	%
Advanced Technologies		7	%		6	%		7	%
Purification Solutions(1)		2	%		N/A			N/A

⁽¹⁾  Consists of two months of revenue for Norit, which the Company acquired on July 31, 2012.

Cabot derives the substantial majority of its revenues from the sale of products in Reinforcement Materials and Performance Materials. Revenue from these products is typically recognized when the product is shipped and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. The Company offers certain of its customers cash discounts and volume rebates as sales incentives. The discounts and volume rebates are recorded as a reduction in sales at the time revenue is recognized and are estimated based on historical experience and contractual obligations. Cabot periodically reviews the assumptions underlying its estimates of discounts and volume rebates and adjusts its revenues accordingly.

Revenue in Advanced Technologies, excluding the Specialty Fluids Business, is typically recognized when the product is shipped and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. Depending on the nature of the contract with the customer, a portion of the revenue may be recognized using proportional performance.

A significant portion of the revenue in the Specialty Fluids Business, included in Advanced Technologies, arises from the rental of cesium formate. This revenue is recognized throughout the rental period based on the contracted rental terms. Customers are also billed and revenue is recognized, typically at the end of the job, for cesium formate product that is not returned. The Company also generates revenues from cesium formate sold outside of a rental process and revenue is recognized upon delivery of the fluid.

Revenue in Purification Solutions is typically recognized when the product is shipped and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. For major activated carbon injection systems projects, revenue is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales consists of cost of raw and packaging materials, direct manufacturing costs, depreciation, internal transfer costs, inspection costs, inbound and outbound freight and shipping and handling costs, plant purchasing and receiving costs and other overhead expense necessary to manufacture the products.

Accounts and Notes Receivable

Trade receivables are recorded at the invoiced amount and generally do not bear interest. Trade receivables in China may at certain times be settled with the receipt of bank issued non-interest bearing notes, which represent the Company’s notes receivable balance. These notes totaled 155 million Chinese Renminbi (“RMB”) ($24 million) and 380 million RMB ($60 million) as of September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and are included in accounts and notes receivable. Cabot periodically sells a portion of the

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trade receivables in China at a discount and such sales are accounted for as asset sales. The Company does not have any continuing involvement with the notes after the sale. The difference between the proceeds from the sale and the carrying value of the receivables is recognized as a loss on the sale of receivables and is included in Other expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. During fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded charges of $2 million, less than $1 million and $2 million, respectively, for the sale of these receivables.

Cabot maintains allowances for doubtful accounts based on an assessment of the collectibility of specific customer accounts, the aging of accounts receivable and other economic information on both a historical and prospective basis. Customer account balances are charged against the allowance when it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. Changes in the allowance during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 were immaterial. There is no off-balance sheet credit exposure related to customer receivable balances.

Stock-based Compensation

Cabot recognizes compensation expense for stock-based awards granted to employees using the fair value method. Under the fair value recognition provisions, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the service period, which generally represents the vesting period, and includes an estimate of the awards that will be forfeited, and an estimate of what level of performance the Company will achieve for Cabot’s performance-based stock awards. Cabot calculates the fair value of its stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units is determined using the closing price of Cabot stock on the day of the grant.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses consist of salaries and fringe benefits of sales and office personnel, general office expenses and other expenses not directly related to manufacturing operations.

Research and Technical Expenses

Research and technical expenses include salaries, equipment and material expenditures, and contractor fees and are expensed as incurred.

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are determined based on the estimated future tax effects of differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that realization of those assets is considered to be more likely than not.

A valuation allowance is established for deferred taxes when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Provisions are made for the U.S. income tax liability and additional non-U.S. taxes on the undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries, except for amounts Cabot has designated to be indefinitely reinvested.

Cabot records benefits for uncertain tax positions based on an assessment of whether the position is more likely than not to be sustained by the taxing authorities. If this threshold is not met, no tax benefit of the uncertain tax position is recognized. If the threshold is met, the tax benefit that is recognized is the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. This analysis presumes the taxing authorities’ full knowledge of the positions taken and all relevant facts, but does not consider the time value of money. The Company also accrues for interest and penalties on its uncertain tax positions and includes such charges in its income tax provision in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Accumulated other comprehensive income, which is included as a component of stockholders’ equity, includes unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale marketable securities and derivative instruments, currency translation adjustments in foreign subsidiaries, translation adjustments on foreign equity securities and minimum pension liability adjustments.

Environmental Costs

Cabot accrues environmental costs when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. When a single liability amount cannot be reasonably estimated, but a range can be reasonably estimated, Cabot accrues the amount that reflects the best estimate within that range or the low end of the range if no estimate within the range is better. The amount accrued reflects Cabot’s assumptions about remediation requirements at the contaminated site, the nature of the remedy, the outcome of discussions with regulatory agencies and other potentially responsible parties at multi-party sites, and the number and financial viability of other potentially responsible parties. Cabot discounts certain of its long-term environmental liabilities to reflect the time value of money if the amount of the liability and the amount and timing of cash payments for the liability are fixed and reliably determinable. The liability will be discounted at a rate that will produce an amount at which the liability theoretically could be settled in an arm’s length transaction with a third party. This discounted rate may not exceed the risk-free rate for maturities comparable to those of the liability. Cabot does not reduce its estimated liability for possible recoveries from insurance carriers. Proceeds from insurance carriers are recorded when realized by either the receipt of cash or a contractual agreement.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Note B. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2012, the FASB issued amended guidance to simplify testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill for impairment. The amendments will allow an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative test. An entity no longer will be required to calculate the fair value of the intangible assets unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. The new guidance will be effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012 but early adoption will be permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance for its annual impairment test of indefinite-lived intangible assets in fiscal 2013.

Note C. Acquisition of Norit

On July 31, 2012, Cabot completed the acquisition of all the issued and outstanding shares of Norit N.V. (“Norit”) for approximately $1.1 billion in cash. Norit develops, manufactures and sells activated carbon products and related delivery systems used in a range of applications, including air and water purification, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals and catalysts. Cabot’s purchase of Norit supports the Company’s ongoing transformation to a less cyclical, specialty chemicals and performance materials company. The results of Norit’s operations are included in the Company’s consolidated results from the date of the acquisition forward and are reported under Purification Solutions.

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The Company incurred acquisition costs of approximately $14 million through September 30, 2012 associated with the transaction, which are included in Selling and administrative expenses.

The allocation of the purchase price was based on preliminary estimates of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of July 31, 2012, as the Company is continuing to obtain information to complete its valuation of these accounts and the associated tax accounting. The components and preliminary allocation of the purchase price consist of the following amounts:

	(in millions)
Current assets	$	207
Property, plant and equipment		385
Other non-current assets		72
Intangible assets		325
Goodwill		432
Current liabilities		(98	)
Deferred non-current tax liabilities		(176	)
Other non-current liabilities		(34	)
Total purchase price	$	1,113

As part of the purchase price allocation, the Company determined that the separately identifiable intangible assets were customer relationships, developed technology, and trademarks in the amounts of $119 million, $149 million, and $57 million, respectively. Customer relationships and developed technology are being amortized over a weighted average period of 17 years and 20 years, respectively. Trademarks are considered to have an indefinite life and will be tested for impairment annually or when events or changes in the business environment indicate that the carrying value of the intangible assets may exceed their fair value.

The determination of the fair value of intangible assets acquired required the use of significant judgment with regard to (i) assumptions used in the determination of fair value; and (ii) determination of their useful lives. The Company estimated the fair value of identifiable acquisition-related intangible assets principally based on projections of cash flows that will arise from these assets. The projected cash flows are discounted to determine the fair value of the assets at the date of acquisition.

The fair value of the assets acquired includes trade receivables of $46 million. The Company did not acquire any other class of receivable as a result of the acquisition of Norit.

The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the tangible net assets and intangible assets acquired was recorded as goodwill. The goodwill recognized is attributable to the expected growth and operating synergies that the Company expects to realize from this acquisition. Goodwill generated from the acquisition will not be deductible for tax purposes.

The following table provides pro forma net sales and earnings for fiscal 2012 and 2011, as if Norit had been acquired on October 1, 2010. The unaudited pro forma results reflect certain adjustments related to the acquisition, such as increased depreciation and amortization expense on assets acquired from Norit resulting from recording the fair value of assets acquired, the impact of acquisition financing with the related tax effects, and certain reclassifications to conform with the current year’s presentation. The pro forma adjustments also include non-recurring adjustments in pro forma earnings of $19 million in 2011 related to the step-up of inventory values at the acquisition date. The pro forma results do not include any synergies or other effects of the planned integration of Norit. Accordingly, such pro forma amounts are not necessarily

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indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the acquisition been completed on October 1, 2010, nor are they indicative of the future operating results of the combined company.

	September 30
	2012 (unaudited)		2011 (unaudited)
	(in millions, except per share amounts)
Net sales	$	3,585	$	3,449
Income from continuing operations(1)		209		226
Income from continuing operations per common share:
Basic	$	3.27	$	3.47
Diluted	$	3.23	$	3.42

⁽¹⁾  Norit recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $33 million in other income during its year ended December 31, 2011 in connection with a legal settlement.

Note D. Discontinued Operations

In January 2012, the Company completed the sale of its Supermetals Business to Global Advanced Metals Pty Ltd., an Australian company (“GAM”), pursuant to a Sale and Purchase Agreement entered into between the Company and GAM in August 2011. The total minimum consideration for the sale was approximately $450 million, including cash consideration of $175 million received on the closing date. In addition, the Company (i) received two-year promissory notes, which may be prepaid by GAM at any time prior to maturity, for total aggregate payments of $215 million (consisting of principal, imputed interest and a prepayment penalty, if applicable), secured by liens on the property and assets of the acquired business and guaranteed by the GAM corporate group and (ii) will receive quarterly cash payments in each calendar quarter that the promissory notes are outstanding in an amount equal to 50% of cumulative year to date adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) of the acquired business for the relevant calendar quarter. Regardless of the Adjusted EBITDA generated, a minimum payment of $11.5 million is guaranteed in the first year following the closing of the transaction. Together, these notes are referred to as the “GAM Promissory Notes”.

Included in the $450 million minimum consideration the Company will receive for the sale of the business is approximately $50 million for the excess Supermetals inventory the Company sold to GAM in connection with the transaction. Payment for the excess inventory was made with a two-year promissory note (“Inventory Note”), which is also secured by liens on the property and assets of the acquired business and guaranteed by the GAM corporate group. The Inventory Note may be repaid at any time, and is subject to prepayment if excess cash flows, as defined in the agreement, are generated by the business. The Inventory Note bears interest of 10% per annum beginning January 2013. If the GAM Promissory Notes are prepaid in full, the Inventory Note must also be prepaid. Other than the $11.5 million guaranteed to be paid within the first year, the remaining balance of the GAM Promissory Notes and Inventory Note will mature in the second quarter of fiscal 2014.

The GAM Promissory Notes and Inventory Note (referred to collectively as the “GAM Notes”) were recorded at their fair value of $273 million at the closing date. The fair value of the GAM Notes was based on the timing of expected cash flows and appropriate discount rates. The difference between the carrying value of the GAM Notes and the contractual payment obligation (the discount) is being accreted into interest income over the term of the GAM Notes. Payments made while the GAM Promissory Notes are outstanding that are contingent upon the finalization of the annual Adjusted EBITDA calculation will be recognized into interest income when such amounts have been finalized. The carrying value of the GAM Notes at September 30, 2012 is $252 million, of which $10 million is included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2012 and $242 million is presented as Notes receivable from sale of business. As of September 30, 2012, the Company received $23 million payable under the GAM Notes.

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The Company recorded an after-tax gain on the sale of $191 million, which is included in Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in fiscal 2012. Additional amounts relating to the settlement of pension obligations will be recognized as discontinued operations when settled.

The operating results of the Supermetals Business prior to the sale are reported within Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and have been excluded from segment results presented in Note V. The assets and liabilities associated with the Supermetals Business are presented as Assets held for sale and Liabilities held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2011.

The following table summarizes the results from discontinued operations:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Net sales and other operating revenues	$	46		$	201		$	177
Income from operations before income taxes		21			84			42
Provision for income taxes on operations		(7	)		(31	)		(16	)
Income from operations, net of tax	$	14		$	53		$	26
Gain on sale of discontinued operations		300			—			—
Provision for income taxes on gain on sale		(109	)		—			—
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax		191			—			—
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	205		$	53		$	26

The following table summarizes the assets and the liabilities held for sale in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2011:

	(in millions)
Assets
Accounts and notes receivable, net of reserve for doubtful accounts	$	41
Inventories		64
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1
Total current assets held for sale	$	106
Total noncurrent assets held for sale	$	39
Liabilities
Total current liabilities held for sale	$	12
Total noncurrent liabilities held for sale	$	6

In connection with the sale of the Supermetals Business, the Company and GAM entered into a tantalum ore supply agreement under which the Company will sell to GAM all of the tantalum ore produced at the Company’s mine in Manitoba, Canada, subject to a maximum amount, for a three-year period commencing in calendar year 2013. The future continuing cash flows to Cabot resulting from this agreement are not significant and do not constitute a material continuing financial interest in the Supermetals Business. Revenues, costs and expenses that will arise from the agreement will be included in the continuing operations of the Specialty Fluids Business.

The Company also entered into a short-term transition services agreement for the Company to provide certain information technology applications and infrastructure and various administrative services to GAM in exchange for one time and monthly service fees, which was completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.

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Note E. Inventories

Inventories, net of LIFO reserves, are as follows:

	September 30
	2012		2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Raw materials	$	131	$	120
Work in process		5		3
Finished goods		351		233
Other		46		37
Total	$	533	$	393

Inventories valued under the LIFO method comprised approximately 5% and 8% of total inventories at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. At September 30, 2012 and 2011, the LIFO reserve was $52 million and $53 million, respectively. Other inventory is comprised of certain spare parts and supplies.

During fiscal 2012, inventory quantities carried on a LIFO basis were reduced at the Company’s U.S. carbon black sites. These reductions led to liquidations of LIFO inventory quantities and resulted in a decrease of cost of goods sold of $1 million and an increase in consolidated net income of $1 million ($0.01 per diluted common share). No such reductions occurred in fiscal 2011 or 2010.

Cabot reviews inventory for both potential obsolescence and potential loss of value periodically. In this review, Cabot makes assumptions about the future demand for and market value of the inventory and, based on these assumptions, estimates the amount of obsolete, unmarketable or slow moving inventory. The inventory reserves were $15 million and $10 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2012 and 2011.

Note F. Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is summarized as follows:

	September 30
	2012			2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Land and land improvements	$	167		$	73
Buildings		495			479
Machinery and equipment		2,379			2,076
Other		226			162
Construction in progress		244			177
Total property, plant and equipment		3,511			2,967
Less: accumulated depreciation		(1,959	)		(1,931	)
Net property, plant and equipment	$	1,552		$	1,036

Depreciation expense was $153 million, $138 million and $137 million for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

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Note G. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Cabot had goodwill balances of $480 million and $40 million at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each reportable segment with goodwill balances and the changes in those balances during the years ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

	Reinforcement Materials		Performance Materials		Advanced Technologies		Purification Solutions		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Balance at September 30, 2010	$	27	$	11	$	1	$	—	$	39
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other		—		—		1		—		1
Balance at September 30, 2011		27		11		2		—		40
Goodwill acquired(1)		—		—		—		432		432
Foreign currency translation adjustment		1		—		—		7		8
Balance at September 30, 2012	$	28	$	11	$	2	$	439	$	480

⁽¹⁾  Goodwill acquired relates to the acquisition of Norit in fiscal 2012.

Goodwill impairment tests are performed at least annually. The Company performed its annual impairment assessment as of March 31, 2012 and determined there was no impairment. During the third quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company changed its annual goodwill impairment testing date from March 31 to May 31, which did not result in any delay, acceleration or avoidance of impairment. The Company believes this date of the annual goodwill impairment test is preferable because it aligns with the timing of the Company’s annual strategic planning process. This change was applied prospectively beginning on May 31, 2012; retrospective application to prior periods is impracticable as the Company is unable to objectively determine, without the use of hindsight, the assumptions that would have been used in those earlier periods. In connection with this change, the Company performed an impairment assessment as of May 31, 2012 and concluded that there was no impairment.

The following table provides information regarding the Company’s intangible assets:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012							2011
	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Intangible Assets		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Intangible Assets
	(Dollars in millions)
Intangible assets with finite lives
Developed technology(1)	$	151	$	(2	)	$	149	$	—	$	—		$	—
Customer relationships(1)		121		(1	)		120		—		—			—
Other intangible assets		6		(3	)		3		5		(2	)		3
Total intangible assets, finite lives	$	278	$	(6	)	$	272	$	5	$	(2	)	$	3
Trademarks, indefinite lives(1)		58		—			58		—		—			—
Total intangible assets	$	336	$	(6	)	$	330	$	5	$	(2	)	$	3

⁽¹⁾  Developed technology, Customer relationships and Trademarks relate to the acquisition of Norit in fiscal 2012.

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from six to twenty years, with a weighted average amortization period of 18 years. See Note C for weighted average lives of intangible assets acquired in connection with the acquisition of Norit. Amortization expense for the year ended September 30, 2012 was $3 million and is included in Cost of sales and Selling and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Amortization expense amounted to

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less than $1 million in each of fiscal 2011 and 2010 and is included in Cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Total amortization expense is estimated to be approximately $15 million each year for the next five fiscal years.

Note H. Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities and Other Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities included in current liabilities consist of the following:

	September 30
	2012		2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Accounts payable	$	425	$	330
Accrued employee compensation		46		44
Accrued severance and restructuring		5		11
Other accrued liabilities		130		76
Total	$	606	$	461

Other long-term liabilities consist of the following:

	September 30
	2012		2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Employee benefit plan liabilities	$	190	$	161
Non-current tax liabilities		53		50
Financial instrument liabilities		26		39
Other accrued liabilities		45		49
Total	$	314	$	299

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Note I. Debt and Other Obligations

The Company’s long-term obligations, the calendar year in which they mature and their respective interest rates are summarized below:

	September 30
	2012			2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Variable Rate Debt:
$750 million Revolving Credit Facility, expires 2016	$	189		$	—
Chinese Renminbi Notes, due through 2016, 5.40%—7.32%		11			15
Total variable rate debt		200			15
Fixed Rate Debt:
5% Notes due 2016	$	300		$	300
2.55% Notes due 2018		250			—
3.7% Notes due 2022		350			—
Medium Term Notes:
Notes due 2012, 7.70%—8.28%	$	—		$	30
Notes due 2018, 7.42%		30			30
Notes due 2022, 8.346%—8.47%		15			15
Note due 2027, 6.57%—7.28%		8			8
Total Medium Term Notes		53			83
Eurobond, due 2013, 5.25%		177			178
ESOP Note, due 2013, 8.29%		8			14
Chinese Renminbi Notes, due 2014, 6.10%—6.65%		5			5
Other, due 2027, 2%		—			5
Total fixed rate debt		1,143			585
Capital lease obligations, due through 2040		16			15
Unamortized debt discount		(2	)		(2	)
Total debt		1,357			613
Less current portion of long-term debt		(185	)		(57	)
Total long-term debt	$	1,172		$	556

$750 million Revolving Credit Facility—The Company has a $750 million committed unsecured revolving credit agreement which expires in August 2016. All borrowings under the credit agreement are based on variable interest rates. Generally, the interest rates are based on LIBOR plus a spread. This spread, which was 1.125% as of September 30, 2012, is based on the Company’s credit rating, resulting in a total interest rate of 1.34% as of September 30, 2012. The Company plans to use the credit agreement for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, refinancing existing indebtedness, capital expenditures, share repurchases, and acquisitions. The credit agreement contains affirmative, negative and financial covenants and events of default customary for financings of this type. The financial covenants in the credit agreement include interest coverage, debt-to-EBITDA and subsidiary debt to total capitalization ratios. As of September 30, 2012, $189 million had been drawn against this facility, and less than $1 million that relates to the issuance of letters of credit is treated as drawn on the facility, leaving $560 million available on this facility.

Chinese Renminbi Debt—The Company’s consolidated Chinese subsidiaries had $16 million and $20 million of unsecured long-term debt outstanding as of September 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011, respectively.

5% Notes due 2016—In fiscal 2009, Cabot issued $300 million in public notes with a coupon of 5% that will mature on October 1, 2016. These notes are unsecured and pay interest on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The net proceeds of this offering were $296 million after deducting discounts and issuance costs. The discount of approximately $2 million was recorded at issuance and is being amortized over the life of the notes.

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2.55% Notes due 2018—In July 2012, Cabot issued $250 million in public notes with a coupon of 2.55% that will mature on January 15, 2018. These notes are unsecured and pay interest on January 15 and July 15 of each year commencing January 15, 2013. The net proceeds of this offering were $248 million after deducting discounts and issuance costs. The discount of less than $1 million was recorded at issuance and is being amortized over the life of the notes.

3.7% Notes due 2022—In July 2012, Cabot issued $350 million in public notes with a coupon of 3.7% that will mature on July 15, 2022. These notes are unsecured and pay interest on January 15 and July 15 of each year commencing January 15, 2013. The net proceeds of this offering were $347 million after deducting discounts and issuance costs. The discount of less than $1 million was recorded at issuance and is being amortized over the life of the notes.

Medium Term Notes—At September 30, 2012 and 2011, there were $53 million and $83 million, respectively, of unsecured medium term notes outstanding issued to numerous lenders with various fixed interest rates and maturity dates. The weighted average maturity of the total outstanding medium term notes is 9 years with a weighted average interest rate of 7.65%.

Eurobond—A European subsidiary issued an unsecured $175 million U.S. dollar denominated bond with a fixed coupon rate of 5.25% in fiscal 2003. The functional currency of this subsidiary is the euro. The bond matures on September 1, 2013, with interest due on March 1 and September 1 of each year. A discount of approximately $1 million was recorded at issuance and is being amortized over the life of the bond. A portion of the eurobond is designated as a fair value hedge and accordingly is recorded at fair value. As described in Note L, the Company has entered into cross-currency swaps and a variable interest rate swap to hedge the variability in cash flows for changes in the exchange rates and to offset a portion of the changes in the fair value of the underlying debt.

ESOP Debt—In November 1988, Cabot’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) borrowed $75 million from an institutional lender in order to finance its purchase of Cabot shares. This debt bears interest at 8.29% per annum and is repaid in quarterly installments through December 31, 2013. Cabot, as guarantor, has reflected the outstanding balance of $8 million and $14 million as long-term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. An equal amount, representing deferred employee benefits, has been recorded as a reduction to stockholders’ equity. Cabot contributed $5 million to the ESOP to service the debt during fiscal 2012, and $4 million for each of fiscal 2011 and 2010. Dividends on ESOP shares used for debt service were $2 million during fiscal 2012 and 2011, and $3 million during fiscal 2010. In addition, interest incurred on the ESOP debt was $1 million, $1 million, and $2 million during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Capital Lease Obligations—Cabot had capital lease obligations for certain equipment and buildings with a present value of $16 million and $15 million at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Cabot will make payments totaling $30 million over the next 28 years, including $14 million of imputed interest under these obligations. At September 30, 2012 and 2011, the original cost of capital lease assets was $26 million and $24 million, respectively, and the associated accumulated depreciation of assets under capital leases was $11 million and $10 million at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The amortization related to assets under capital lease is included in depreciation expense.

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Future Years Payment Schedule

The aggregate principal amounts of long-term debt and capital lease obligations due in each of the five years from fiscal 2013 through 2017 are as follows:

Fiscal Years Ending	Principal payments on long term debt		Payments on Capital Lease Obligations		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
2013	$	182	$	1	$	183
2014		17		1		18
2015		—		1		1
2016		189		1		190
2017		300		1		301
Thereafter		653		11		664
Total	$	1,341	$	16	$	1,357

Standby letters of credit—At September 30, 2012, the Company had provided standby letters of credit that were outstanding and not drawn totaling $20 million, which expire through fiscal 2014. The $20 million includes less than $1 million treated as issued under the Company’s revolving credit facility.

Short-term Notes Payable to Banks—The Company had unsecured short-term notes payable to banks of $62 million and $86 million as of September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, with maturities of less than one year. The weighted-average interest rate on short-term notes payable was 5.2% and 5.3% for fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Note J. Fair Value Measurements

The FASB authoritative guidance on fair value measurements defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The disclosures focus on the inputs used to measure fair value. The guidance establishes the following hierarchy for categorizing these inputs:

Level 1	—	Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2	—	Significant other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices for similar items in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar items in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable such as interest rate and yield curves, and market-corroborated inputs)
Level 3	—	Significant unobservable inputs

There were no transfers of financial assets or liabilities measured at fair value between Level 1 and Level 2, or transfers into or out of Level 3, during fiscal 2012 or 2011.

As described in Note D, the GAM Promissory Notes and Inventory Note were recorded at their fair value of $273 million at the closing date of the sale of the Supermetals Business to GAM. These notes are classified as Level 3 instruments within the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using a valuation model with significant unobservable inputs. See Note K for information on the valuation model and inputs used.

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The following table presents information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2012 and 2011. The derivatives presented in the table below are presented by derivative type, net of the legal right to offset derivative settlements by each counterparty:

	September 30
	2012		2011
	Level 2		Level 2
	(Dollars in Millions)
Assets at fair value:
Guaranteed investment contract(1)	$	14	$	14
Derivatives relating to interest rates(2)		2		3
Total assets at fair value	$	16	$	17
Liabilities at fair value:
Derivatives relating to foreign currency(2)	$	28	$	41
Hedged long-term debt(3)		36		61
Total liabilities at fair value	$	64	$	102

⁽¹⁾  Included in “Other assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

⁽²⁾  Included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets”, “Other assets”, “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” or “Other liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

⁽³⁾  Included in “Current portion of long-term debt” and “Long-term debt” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Note K. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at September 30, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

	2012				2011
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(Dollars in millions)
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	120	$	120	$	286	$	286
GAM Promissory Notes and Inventory Note		252		252		—		—
Accounts and notes receivable		687		687		659		659
Derivative instruments		—		—		1		1
Liabilities:
Notes payable to banks		62		62		86		86
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		606		606		461		461
Long-term debt—fixed rate		1,141		1,221		585		633
Long-term debt—floating rate		200		200		15		15
Capital lease obligations		16		16		15		15
Derivative instruments		26		26		39		39

At September 30, 2012 and 2011, the fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and notes payable to banks approximated carrying values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The estimated fair values of derivative instruments are valued as described in Note L. The fair value of Cabot’s fixed rate long-term debt and capital lease obligations are estimated based on comparable quoted market prices at the respective period ends. The carrying amount of Cabot’s floating rate long-term debt approximates its fair value. As discussed in Note J, other than the GAM Promissory Notes and Inventory Note, all such measurements are based on observable

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inputs and are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The valuation technique used is the discounted cash flow model.

As described in Note J, the GAM Promissory Notes and Inventory Note are classified as Level 3 instruments within the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using a valuation model with significant unobservable inputs. The fair value of the GAM Notes was $252 million at September 30, 2012. The valuation used is the discounted cash flow model and the significant inputs are the discount rate, Adjusted EBITDA forecast of GAM’s operations, and the timing of expected cash flows from GAM.

Note L. Financial Instruments

Risk Management

Cabot’s business operations are exposed to changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices because Cabot finances certain operations through long and short-term borrowings, denominates transactions in a variety of foreign currencies and purchases certain commoditized raw materials. Changes in these rates and prices may have an impact on future cash flows and earnings. The Company manages these risks through normal operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments.

The Company has policies governing the use of derivative instruments and does not enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

By using derivative instruments, Cabot is subject to credit and market risk. If a counterparty fails to fulfill its performance obligations under a derivative contract, Cabot’s credit risk will equal the fair value of the derivative. Generally, when the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, the counterparty owes Cabot, thus creating a payment risk for Cabot. The Company minimizes counterparty credit (or repayment) risk by entering into transactions with major financial institutions of investment grade credit rating. As of September 30, 2012, the counterparties with which the Company has executed derivatives carried a Standard and Poor’s credit rating between A- and AA-, inclusive. Cabot’s exposure to market risk is not hedged in a manner that completely eliminates the effects of changing market conditions on earnings or cash flow. No significant concentration of credit risk existed at September 30, 2012.

Interest Rate Risk Management

Cabot’s objective is to maintain a certain fixed-to-variable interest rate mix on the Company’s debt obligations. Cabot enters into interest rate swaps as a hedge of the underlying debt instruments to effectively change the characteristics of the interest rate without changing the debt instrument. The following table provides details of the derivatives held as of September 30, 2012 and 2011 to manage interest rate risk.

		Notional Amount
Description	Borrowing	September 30, 2012	September 30, 2011	Hedge Designation
Interest Rate Swap—Fixed to Variable	Eurobond (20% of $175 million)	USD 35 million	USD 35 million	Fair Value
Interest Rate Swap—Fixed to Variable	Medium Term Notes	—	USD 23 million	Fair Value

Foreign Currency Risk Management

Cabot’s international operations are subject to certain risks, including currency exchange rate fluctuations and government actions. Cabot endeavors to match the currency in which debt is issued to the currency of the Company’s major, stable cash receipts. In some situations Cabot has issued debt denominated in U.S. dollars and then entered into cross currency swaps that exchange the dollar principal and interest payments into a currency where the Company expects long-term, stable cash receipts.

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Additionally, the Company has foreign currency exposure arising from its net investments in foreign operations. Cabot, from time to time, enters into cross-currency swaps to mitigate the impact of currency rate changes on the Company’s net investments.

The Company also has foreign currency exposure arising from the denomination of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies other than the functional currency of a given subsidiary as well as the risk that currency fluctuations could affect the dollar value of future cash flows generated in foreign currencies. Accordingly, Cabot uses short-term forward contracts to minimize the exposure to foreign currency risk.

In certain situations where the Company has forecasted purchases under a long-term commitment or forecasted sales denominated in a foreign currency, Cabot may enter into appropriate financial instruments in accordance with the Company’s risk management policy to hedge future cash flow exposures. The following table provides details of the derivatives held as of September 30, 2012 and 2011 to manage foreign currency risk.

Description	Borrowing	Notional Amount		Hedge Designation
		September 30, 2012	September 30, 2011
Cross Currency Swap	Eurobond (80% of $175 million)	USD 140 million swapped to EUR 124 million	USD 140 million swapped to EUR 124 million	No designation
Cross Currency Swap	Eurobond (20% of $175 million)	USD 35 million swapped to EUR 31 million	USD 35 million swapped to EUR 31 million	No designation
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts (1)	N/A	USD 106 million	USD 54 million	No designation
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts (1)	N/A	USD 3 million	USD 12 million	Cash Flow

⁽¹⁾  Cabot’s forward foreign exchange contracts are denominated primarily in the Australian dollar, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi, Euro and Japanese yen.

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company determines the fair value of financial instruments using quoted market prices whenever available. When quoted market prices are not available for various types of financial instruments (such as forwards, options and swaps), the Company uses standard models with market-based inputs, which take into account the present value of estimated future cash flows and the ability of the financial counterparty to perform. For interest rate and cross-currency swaps, the significant inputs to these models are interest rate curves for discounting future cash flows. For forward foreign currency contracts, the significant inputs are interest rate curves for discounting future cash flows, and exchange rate curves of the foreign currency for translating future cash flows.

Fair Value Hedge

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in current period earnings.

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Cash Flow Hedge

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified to earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current period earnings.

Net Investment Hedge

For net investment hedges, changes in the fair value of the effective portion of the derivatives’ gains or losses are reported as foreign currency translation gains or losses in Accumulated other comprehensive income while changes in the ineffective portion are reported in earnings. The gains or losses on derivative instruments reported in Accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified to earnings in the period in which earnings are affected by the underlying item, such as a disposal or substantial liquidation of the entities being hedged. As of September 30, 2012, there were no open derivatives designated as net investment hedges.

Other Derivative Instruments

From time to time, the Company may enter into certain derivative instruments that may not be designated as hedges for accounting purposes, which include cross currency swaps, foreign currency forward contracts and commodity derivatives. For cross currency swaps and foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges, the Company uses standard models with market-based inputs. The significant inputs to these models are interest rate curves for discounting future cash flows, and exchange rate curves of the foreign currency for translating future cash flows. In determining the fair value of the commodity derivatives, the significant inputs to valuation models are quoted market prices of similar instruments in active markets. Although these derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting, Cabot believes that such instruments are closely correlated with the underlying exposure, thus managing the associated risk. The gains or losses from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not accounted for as hedges are recognized in current period earnings

During fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010, for derivatives designated as hedges, the change in unrealized gains in Accumulated other comprehensive income, the hedge ineffectiveness recognized in earnings, the realized gains or losses reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income, and the losses reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings were immaterial.

During fiscal 2012, a loss of $10 million was recognized in earnings as a result of the remeasurement to Euros of the $175 million bond held by one of Cabot’s European subsidiaries. This loss, which was recognized in earnings through Other income (expense) within the Consolidated Statement of Operations, was offset by a gain of $12 million from Cabot’s cross currency swaps that are not designated as hedges, but which Cabot entered into to offset the foreign currency translation exposure on the debt. Additionally, during fiscal 2012, Cabot recognized in earnings through Other income (expense) within the Consolidated Statement of Operations, gains of $10 million related to its foreign currency forward contracts, which were not designated as hedges.

During fiscal 2011, a loss of $2 million was recognized in earnings as a result of the remeasurement to Euros of the $175 million bond held by one of Cabot’s European subsidiaries. This loss, which was recognized in earnings through Other expense within the Consolidated Statement of Operations, was offset by a gain of $1 million from Cabot’s cross currency swaps that are not designated as hedges, but which Cabot entered into to offset the foreign currency translation exposure on the debt. Additionally, during fiscal 2011, Cabot recognized in earnings through Other expense within the Consolidated Statement of Operations, gains of $3 million related to its foreign currency forward contracts, which were not designated as hedges.

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During fiscal 2010, a loss of $14 million was recognized in earnings as a result of the remeasurement to Euros of the $175 million bond held by one of Cabot’s European subsidiaries. This loss, which was recognized in earnings through Other expense within the Consolidated Statement of Operations, was offset by a gain of $16 million from Cabot’s cross currency swaps that are not designated as hedges, but which Cabot entered into to offset the foreign currency translation exposure on the debt. Additionally, during fiscal 2010, Cabot recognized in earnings through Other expense within the Consolidated Statement of Operations, gains of $7 million related to its foreign currency forward contracts, which were not designated as hedges.

The following table provides the fair value and Consolidated Balance Sheets presentations of derivative instruments by each derivative type, without regard to the legal right to offset derivative settlement by each counterparty:

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	Consolidated Balance Sheet Caption	September 30, 2012		September 30, 2011
		(Dollars in millions)
Asset Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedges Interest rate(1)	Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other liabilities	$	2	$	3
Total derivatives designated as hedges		$	2	$	3
Derivatives not designated as hedges Foreign currency	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	—	$	1
Other(2)	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1		1
Total derivatives not designated as hedges		$	1	$	2
Total Asset Derivatives		$	3	$	5
Liability Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedges Foreign currency	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	—	$	1
Total derivatives designated as hedges		$	—	$	1
Derivatives not designated as hedges Foreign currency(1)	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and Other liabilities	$	28	$	41
Other(2)	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1		1
Total derivatives not designated as hedges		$	29	$	42
Total Liability Derivatives		$	29	$	43

⁽¹⁾  Contracts of $2 million and $3 million presented on a gross basis in this table at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, have the legal right to offset against other types of contracts with a common counterparty and, therefore, are presented on a net basis in noncurrent “Other liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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⁽²⁾  Contracts in an asset and liability position presented on a gross basis in this table have the legal right of offset and, therefore, are presented on a net basis in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” and noncurrent “Other assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

See Note J “Fair Value Measurements” for classification of derivatives by input level. The net after-tax amounts to be reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings within the next 12 months are expected to be immaterial.

Note M. Venezuela

Cabot owns 49% of an operating affiliate in Venezuela, which is accounted for as an equity affiliate, through wholly owned subsidiaries that carry the investment and receive its dividends. As of September 30, 2012 these subsidiaries carried the operating affiliate investment of $25 million, and held 21 million bolivars ($5 million) in cash.

Cabot determined, as of January 1, 2010, that the Venezuelan economy was highly inflationary. Accordingly, since the second quarter of fiscal 2010, Cabot has remeasured all transactions of the operating affiliate denominated in bolivars to U.S. dollars using the rate of 4.30 B/$ which continues to be the exchange rate in effect on September 30, 2012.

Given the uncertainties around the convertibility of the Venezuelan bolivar to the U.S. dollar and the ability of entities to actually repatriate U.S. dollars from Venezuela, the Company has endeavored, whenever possible, to repatriate the Company’s cash from its Venezuelan subsidiaries using available mechanisms. At the same time, management has closely monitored its investment in the operating affiliate in Venezuela to ensure that the investment continues to be recoverable. The Company still intends to convert substantially all bolivars held by its Venezuelan subsidiaries to U.S. dollars as soon as practical and continues to monitor for opportunities to convert its bolivars through Venezuelan government, or government-backed, bond offerings.

Note N. Employee Benefit Plans

The information below provides detail concerning the Company’s benefit obligations under the defined benefit and post-retirement benefit plans it sponsors, including the obligations the Company assumed in its acquisition of Norit. The information included in this footnote and the related tables also includes amounts pertaining to the Company’s former Supermetals Business, unless indicated otherwise.

Defined benefit plans provide pre-determined benefits to employees that are distributed upon retirement. Cabot used a September 30 measurement date for all U.S. and foreign plan obligations and assets in both fiscal 2012 and 2011. Cabot is making all required contributions to these plans. The accumulated benefit obligation was $187 million for the U.S. defined benefit plans and $398 million for the foreign plans as of September 30, 2012 and $140 million for the U.S. defined benefit plans and $218 million for the foreign plans as of September 30, 2011.

In addition to benefits provided under the defined benefit and post-retirement benefit plans, the Company provides benefits under defined contribution plans. One of these plans includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) component, which is described below. Cabot recognized expenses related to these plans, not including the expenses related to the ESOP, of $7 million in fiscal 2012, $7 million in fiscal 2011 and $9 million in fiscal 2010.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Eligible employees of Cabot and its participating subsidiaries in the U.S. participate in the ESOP. Under the ESOP, which is 100% Company funded, 108,696.645 shares of Cabot common stock are allocated to participants’ accounts at the end of each quarter. Cabot has established a minimum and maximum contribution percentage of total eligible pay. The actual contribution percentage in any given quarter varies depending on Cabot’s stock price on the last day of the relevant quarter, the total eligible

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compensation and the amount of the dividends allocated to participants. Compensation expense related to the ESOP was $5 million in fiscal 2012 and $4 million in each of fiscal 2011 and 2010.

The following provides information about benefit obligations, plan assets, the funded status and weighted-average assumptions of the defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012						2011						2012						2011
	Pension Benefits												Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Change in Benefit Obligations:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	147		$	236		$	143		$	241		$	64		$	15		$	69		$	15
Service cost		5			7			5			6			1			—			1			—
Interest cost		7			11			6			11			2			1			2			1
Plan participants’ contribution		—			1			—			1			—			—			—			—
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		—			5			—			1			—			1			—			—
Loss (gain) from changes in actuarial assumptions		12			38			2			(9	)		1			2			(1	)		(1	)
Benefits paid(1)		(11	)		(11	)		(9	)		(16	)		(5	)		(1	)		(5	)		—
Plan amendments		—			—			—			—			—			—			(2	)		—
Settlements or curtailment gain		(1	)		(4	)		—			(1	)		(1	)		—			—			—
Acquisition of Norit		36			140			—			—			2			—			—			—
Other		—			(1	)		—			2			—			—			—			—
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	195		$	422		$	147		$	236		$	64		$	18		$	64		$	15

	Years Ended September 30
	2012						2011						2012						2011
	Pension Benefits												Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Change in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	103		$	197		$	104		$	197		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Actual return on plan assets		23			24			8			2			—			—			—			—
Employer contribution		8			13			—			13			5			1			5			—
Plan participants’ contribution		—			1			—			1			—			—			—			—
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		—			5			—			—			—			—			—			—
Benefits paid(1)		(11	)		(11	)		(9	)		(16	)		(5	)		(1	)		(5	)		—
Settlements		—			(5	)		—			—			—			—			—			—
Acquisition of Norit		27			133			—			—			—			—			—			—
Expenses paid from assets		(1	)		(1	)		—			—			—			—			—			—
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	149		$	356		$	103		$	197		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Funded status	$	(46	)	$	(66	)	$	(44	)	$	(39	)	$	(64	)	$	(18	)	$	(64	)	$	(15	)
Recognized liability(2)	$	(46	)	$	(66	)	$	(44	)	$	(39	)	$	(64	)	$	(18	)	$	(64	)	$	(15	)

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⁽¹⁾  Included in this amount is $7 million and $2 million that the Company paid directly to the participants in its defined benefit plans in fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively.

⁽²⁾  Included in this amount is $4 million of net pension liability as of September 30, 2011 related to the Supermetals Business presented as Noncurrent liabilities held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Pension Assumptions and Strategy

The following assumptions were used to determine the pension benefit obligations at September 30:

	Assumptions as of September 30
	2012						2011						2010
	Pension Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
Actuarial assumptions as of the year-end measurement date:
Discount rate		3.5	%		3.6	%		4.5	%		4.8	%		4.5	%		4.4	%
Rate of increase in compensation		3.5	%		3.1	%		3.8	%		3.1	%		3.8	%		3.3	%
Actuarial assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost during the year:
Discount rate		4.5	%		4.8	%		4.5	%		4.3	%		5.3	%		5.0	%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets		7.8	%		5.3	%		7.8	%		6.1	%		7.8	%		6.1	%
Rate of increase in compensation		3.8	%		3.2	%		3.8	%		3.3	%		3.8	%		3.4	%

Post Retirement Assumptions and Strategy

The following assumptions were used to determine the post retirement benefit obligations at September 30:

	Assumptions as of September 30
	2012						2011						2010
	Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
Actuarial assumptions as of the year-end measurement date:
Discount rate		3.3	%		3.9	%		4.5	%		4.9	%		4.5	%		4.8	%
Initial health care cost trend rate		8.0	%		7.4	%		8.5	%		8.0	%		7.5	%		8.0	%
Actuarial assumptions used to determine net cost during the year:
Discount rate		4.5	%		4.9	%		4.5	%		4.8	%		5.3	%		5.2	%
Initial health care cost trend rate		8.5	%		7.9	%		7.5	%		8.0	%		8.0	%		9.0	%

Cabot uses discount rates as of September 30, the plans’ measurement date, to determine future benefit obligations under its U.S. and foreign defined benefit plans. The discount rates for the defined benefit plans in the U.S., Canada, UAE, Euro-zone, Japan, Switzerland and the U.K. are derived from yield curves that reflect high quality corporate bond yield or swap rate information in each region and reflect the characteristics of Cabot’s employee benefit plans. The discount rates for the defined benefit plans in the Czech Republic and Indonesia are based on government bond indices that best reflect the durations of the plans, adjusted for credit spreads presented in selected AA corporate bond indices.

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The rates utilized are selected because they represent long-term, high quality, fixed income benchmarks that approximate the long-term nature of Cabot’s pension obligations and related payouts.

	Years Ended September 30
	2012						2011						2012						2011
	Pension Benefits												Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Net Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Noncurrent assets	$	—		$	4		$	—		$	10		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Current liabilities		—			(1	)		—			(1	)		(6	)		(1	)		(6	)		—
Noncurrent liabilities		(46	)		(69	)		(44	)		(48	)		(58	)		(17	)		(58	)		(15	)

Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income at September 30, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012				2011				2012					2011
	Pension Benefits								Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.		Foreign		U.S.		Foreign		U.S.			Foreign		U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Net actuarial loss	$	29	$	77	$	34	$	52	$	3		$	3	$	2		$	2
Net prior service cost (credit)		1		—		1		—		(10	)		—		(14	)		—
Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income, pretax	$	30	$	77	$	35	$	52	$	(7	)	$	3	$	(12	)	$	2

In fiscal 2013, an estimated net loss of $6 million will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income to net periodic benefit cost. In addition, amortization of estimated prior service credits of $3 million for other postretirement benefits will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income to net periodic benefit costs in fiscal 2013.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

The Company expects that the following benefit payments will be made to plan participants in the years from 2013 to 2022:

	Pension Benefits				Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.		Foreign		U.S.		Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Years Ended:
2013	$	13	$	17	$	6	$	1
2014		12		17		6		1
2015		12		19		6		1
2016		13		21		5		1
2017		14		20		5		1
2018-2022		76		116		22		5

Post retirement medical benefits are unfunded and impact Cabot’s cash flows. The Company expects to contribute less than $1 million and $12 million related to its U.S. and foreign pension plans, respectively, in fiscal 2013.

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Net periodic defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit costs include the following components:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012						2011						2010						2012					2011					2010
	Pension Benefits																		Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign		U.S.			Foreign		U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Service cost	$	5		$	7		$	5		$	6		$	5		$	5		$	1		$	—	$	1		$	—	$	1		$	—
Interest cost		7			11			6			11			7			11			2			1		2			1		3			1
Expected return on plan assets		(9	)		(13	)		(8	)		(13	)		(9	)		(11	)		—			—		—			—		—			—
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		—			—			—			—			—			—			(3	)		—		(3	)		—		(4	)		—
Net losses (gains)		1			3			—			3			—			2			—			—		—			—		—			—
Settlements or curtailments cost (income)		1			1			—			—			—			1			(1	)		—		—			—		—			—
Other		—			—			—			2			—			—			—			—		—			—		—			—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	5		$	9		$	3		$	9		$	3		$	8		$	(1	)	$	1	$	—		$	1	$	—		$	1

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income are as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012						2011					2010					2012				2011						2010
	Pension Benefits																Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.		Foreign			U.S.		Foreign			U.S.		Foreign		U.S.			Foreign			U.S.		Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Net losses (gains)	$	(3	)	$	27		$	2	$	1		$	5	$	12		$	1	$	1	$	(1	)	$	(1	)	$	1	$	—
Prior service cost		(1	)		—			—		—			—		—			1		—		(2	)		—			—		—
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit		—			—			—		—			—		—			3		—		4			—			4		—
Amortization of prior unrecognized loss		(1	)		(3	)		—		(3	)		—		(2	)		—		—		—			—			—		—
Other		—			1			—		—			—		1			—		—		—			—			—		—
Total other comprehensive loss (income)	$	(5	)	$	25		$	2	$	(2	)	$	5	$	11		$	5	$	1	$	1		$	(1	)	$	5	$	—

Curtailments and settlements of employee benefit plans

In recent years, the Company incurred curtailments and settlements of certain of its employee benefit plans. Associated with these curtailments and settlements, the Company recognized a net loss of $1 million, a net gain of less than $1 million and a net loss of $1 million in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Sensitivity Analysis

Measurement of postretirement benefit expense is based on actuarial assumptions used to value the postretirement benefit liability at the beginning of the year. Assumed health care cost trend rates have an effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. The fiscal 2012 weighted-average assumed health care cost trend rate is 8.5% for U.S. plans and 7.9% for foreign plans. The ultimate weighted-average health care cost trend rate has been designated as 5.0% for U.S. plans and 6.0% for foreign plans and is anticipated

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to be achieved during 2018 and 2016, respectively. A one percentage point change in the 2012 assumed health care cost trend rate would have the following effects:

	1-Percentage-Point
	Increase				Decrease
	U.S.		Foreign		U.S.		Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	$	—	$	3	$	—	$	(2	)

Plan Assets

The Company’s defined benefit pension plans weighted-average asset allocations at September 30, 2012 and 2011, by asset category are as follows:

	Pension Assets
	September 30
	2012						2011
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
Asset Category:
Equity securities		62	%		39	%		57	%		44	%
Debt securities		38	%		56	%		43	%		50	%
Cash and other securities		—			5	%		—			6	%
Total		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%

To develop the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption, the Company used a capital asset pricing model. The model considers the current level of expected returns on risk-free investments comprised of government bonds, the historical level of the risk premium associated with the other asset classes in which the portfolio is invested, and the expectations for future returns for each asset class. The expected return for each asset class was then weighted based on the target asset allocation to develop the expected long-term rate of return for each plan.

Cabot’s investment strategy for each of its defined benefit plans in the U.S. and abroad is generally based on a set of investment objectives and policies that cover time horizons and risk tolerance levels consistent with plan liabilities. Periodic studies are performed to determine the asset mix that will meet pension obligations at a reasonable cost to the Company. The assets of the defined benefit plans are comprised principally of investments in equity and high quality fixed income securities, which are broadly diversified across the capitalization and style spectrum and are managed using both active and passive strategies. The weighted average target asset allocation for the U.S. plans is 61% in equity and 39% in fixed income and for the foreign plans is 39% in equity, 55% in fixed income, 2% in real estate and 4% in cash and other securities.

For pension or other postretirement benefit plan assets classified as Level 1 measurements (measured using quoted prices in active markets), total fair value is either the price of the most recent trade at the time of the market close or the official close price, as defined by the exchange on which the asset is most actively traded on the last trading day of the period, multiplied by the number of units held without consideration of transaction costs.

For pension or other postretirement benefit plan assets classified as Level 2 measurements, where the security is frequently traded in less active markets, fair value is based on the closing price at the end of the period; where the security is less frequently traded, fair value is based on the price a dealer would pay for the security or similar securities, adjusted for any terms specific to that asset or liability. Market inputs are obtained from well-established and recognized vendors of market data and subjected to tolerance/quality checks.

Some pension or other postretirement benefit plan assets are held in funds where a net asset value is calculated based on the fair value of the underlying assets and the number of shares owned. The classification of the fund (Level 1, 2 or 3 measurements) is determined based on the classification of the

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significant holdings within the fund. For all other pension or other postretirement benefit plan assets for which observable inputs are used, fair value is derived through the use of fair value models, such as a discounted cash flow model or other standard pricing models.

The fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets at September 30, 2012 and 2011 by asset category is as follows:

	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Total
	2012						2011
Asset Category:
Cash	$	4	$	1	$	5	$	4	$	1	$	5
Direct investments:
U.S. equity securities		19		—		19		13		—		13
Non-U.S. equity securities		5		—		5		1		—		1
Non-U.S. government bonds		50		—		50		47		—		47
Non-U.S. corporate bonds		11		—		11		1		—		1
Total direct investments	$	85	$	—	$	85	$	62	$	—	$	62
Investment funds:
Equity funds(1)		97		108		205		20		86		106
Fixed income funds(2)		66		126		192		43		50		93
Real estate funds(3)		—		2		2		—		1		1
Common and collective investment trust funds(4)		—		—		—		—		24		24
Money market funds		1		—		1		1		—		1
Other		4		—		4		—		—		—
Total investment funds		168	$	236	$	404	$	64	$	161	$	225
Alternative investments:
Insurance contracts(5)		—		10		10		—		8		8
Other		—		1		1		—		—		—
Total alternative investments		—	$	11	$	11	$	—	$	8	$	8
Total pension plan assets	$	257	$	248	$	505	$	130	$	170	$	300

⁽¹⁾  The equity funds asset class includes funds that invest in U.S. equities as well as equity securities issued by companies incorporated, listed or domiciled in countries in developed and/or emerging markets. These companies may be in the small-, mid- or large-cap categories.

⁽²⁾  The fixed income funds asset class includes investments in high quality funds. High quality fixed income funds primarily invest in low risk U.S. and non-U.S. government securities, investment-grade corporate bonds, mortgages and asset-backed securities. A significant portion of the fixed income funds asset includes investment in long-term bond funds.

⁽³⁾  The real estate funds asset class includes funds that primarily invest in entities which are principally engaged in the ownership, acquisition, development, financing, sale and/or management of income-producing real estate properties, both commercial and residential. These funds typically seek long-term growth of capital and current income that is above average relative to public equity funds.

⁽⁴⁾ The investment objective of the portfolio of this common and collective investment trust is to achieve long-term, total return in excess of the MSCI World Index Benchmark by investing in equity securities of companies worldwide, emphasizing those with above-average potential for capital appreciation

⁽⁵⁾ Insurance contracts held by the Company’s non-U.S. plans are issued by well-known, highly rated insurance companies.

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Note O. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has established equity compensation plans that provide stock-based compensation to eligible employees. The 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2009 Plan”), which was approved by Cabot’s stockholders on March 12, 2009 and amended on March 8, 2012, authorizes the issuance of approximately 8.9 million shares of common stock. This is the Company’s only equity incentive plan under which awards may currently be made to employees, although some awards made under the Company’s 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”) remain outstanding at September 30, 2012.

The terms of awards made under Cabot’s equity compensation plans are generally determined by the Compensation Committee of Cabot’s Board of Directors. The 2009 Plan allows for grants of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards to employees. The awards made in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 under the 2009 Plan consist of grants of stock options, time-based restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock units, and restricted stock units that will be settled in cash. The options were issued with an exercise price equal to 100% of the market price of Cabot’s common stock on the date of grant, vest over a three year period (30% on each of the first and second anniversaries of the date of grant and 40% on the third anniversary of the date of grant) and expire ten years after grant. The restricted stock units vest three years from the date of the grant. The number of shares issuable, if any, when a performance-based restricted stock unit award vests will depend on the degree of achievement (threshold, target or maximum performance) of the corporate performance metrics for each year within the three-year performance period of the award. Accordingly, future compensation costs associated with outstanding awards of performance-based restricted stock units may increase or decrease based on the probability of the Company achieving the performance metrics.

As of September 30, 2012, there were 56,892 outstanding time-based and performance-based restricted stock units which will be settled by the payment of cash. Compensation expense related to these awards is remeasured throughout the vesting period and until ultimate settlement of the award. Cumulative compensation and the associated liability is recorded equal to the fair value of Cabot common stock multiplied by the applicable vesting percentage. The Company recorded liabilities associated with these cash settled awards of $1 million at both September 30, 2012 and 2011.

Prior to 2009, the principal awards made under the Company’s equity plans consisted of grants of restricted stock and stock options. The shares of restricted stock were generally purchased by the employee at a price equal to 30% of the market price of Cabot’s common stock on the date of grant, with vesting dates three years after the date of grant. The stock options issued prior to 2009 were issued with an exercise price equal to 100% of the market price of Cabot’s common stock on the date of grant, vest three years after the date of grant and expire five years after grant.

Stock-based employee compensation expense was $10 million, $10 million and $11 million, after tax, for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company recognized the full impact of its stock-based employee compensation expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 and did not capitalize any such costs on the Consolidated Balance Sheets because those that qualified for capitalization were not material. The following table presents stock-based compensation expenses included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Cost of Sales	$	5		$	5		$	6
Selling and administrative expenses		9			9			11
Research and technical expenses		1			1			1
Stock-based compensation expense		15			15			18
Income tax benefit		(5	)		(5	)		(7	)
Net stock-based compensation expense	$	10		$	10		$	11

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As of September 30, 2012, Cabot has $14 million, $2 million and less than $1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock units, non-vested options and non-vested restricted stock, respectively, granted under the Company’s equity incentive plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years, 0.8 years and 0.9 years for non-vested restricted stock units, non-vested options and the non-vested restricted stock, respectively.

Equity Incentive Plan Activity

The following table summarizes the total stock option, restricted stock, and restricted stock unit activity in the equity incentive plans for fiscal 2012:

	September 30, 2012
	Stock Options							Restricted Stock					Restricted Stock Units
	Total Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Restricted Stock			Weighted Average Grant  Date Fair Value		Restricted Stock Units (1)			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	(Shares in thousands)
Outstanding at September 30, 2011		1,772		$	21.96		$6.06		3		$	9.56		866		$	28.89
Granted		284			32.95		11.64		—			—		405			33.15
Performance-based adjustment(2)		—			—		—		—			—		10			25.93
Exercised / Vested		(434	)		19.95		4.72		(1	)		9.56		(15	)		25.64
Cancelled / Forfeited		(43	)		33.64		8.26		—			—		(35	)		29.70
Outstanding at September 30, 2012		1,579			24.17		7.37		2			9.56		1,231			30.28
Exercisable at September 30, 2012		983			20.03
Expected to vest(3)		561			30.95

⁽¹⁾  The number “Granted” represents the number of shares issuable upon vesting of time-based restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units, assuming the Company performs at the target performance level in each year of the three-year performance period.

⁽²⁾  Represents the net incremental number of shares issuable upon vesting of outstanding performance-based restricted stock units, based on the Company’s actual performance against the performance targets for the 2012 performance period of the outstanding units.

⁽³⁾  Stock options expected to vest in the future, net of estimated forfeitures, have a weighted average remaining contractual life of 8.3 years.

Stock Options

The following table summarizes information related to the total outstanding options and the vested options on September 30, 2012:

	Total Options Outstanding		Exercisable Options
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)	$	20	$	16
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)		7.3		6.7

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value, based on the Company’s closing common stock price of $36.57 on September 28, 2012, which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options and immediately sold their shares on that date.

The intrinsic value of options exercised during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $9 million, $3 million and $1 million, respectively, and the Company received cash of $9 million, $4 million and $3 million, respectively, from these exercises.

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The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of the options at the grant date. The estimated weighted average grant date fair values of options granted during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $11.64, $12.09, and $7.41 per option, respectively. The fair values on the grant date were calculated using the following weighted-average assumptions:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
Expected stock price volatility		45	%		43	%		42	%
Risk free interest rate		1.3	%		1.8	%		2.8	%
Expected life of options (years)		6			6			6
Expected annual dividends per year	$	0.72		$	0.72		$	0.72

The expected stock price volatility assumption was determined using the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock over the expected life of the option. The expected term reflects the anticipated time period between the measurement date and the exercise date or post-vesting cancellation date.

Restricted Stock Units

The value of restricted stock unit awards is the closing stock price at the date of the grant. The estimated weighted average grant date fair values of restricted stock unit awards granted during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $33.15, $34.76 and $24.49, respectively. The intrinsic value of restricted stock units (meaning the fair value of the units on the date of vest) that vested during fiscal 2012 and 2011 were $1 million and less than $1 million, respectively. No restricted stock units vested during fiscal 2010.

Restricted Stock

The fair value of restricted stock awards is derived by calculating the difference between the share price and the purchase price at the date of the grant. There were no restricted stock awards granted during fiscal 2012, 2011 or 2010. The intrinsic value of restricted stock that vested during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 was less than $1 million, $27 million and $11 million, respectively.

Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan

Cabot’s Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan (“SRSP”) provides benefits to highly compensated employees in circumstances in which the maximum limits established under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code prevent them from receiving all of the Company matching and ESOP contributions that would otherwise be provided under the qualified Retirement Savings Plan. The SRSP is non-qualified and unfunded. Contributions under the SRSP are treated as if invested in Cabot common stock. The majority of the distributions made under the SRSP are required to be paid with shares of Cabot common stock. The remaining distributions, which relate to certain grandfathered accounts, will be paid in cash based on the market price of Cabot common stock at the time of distribution. The aggregate value of the accounts that will be paid out in stock, which is equivalent to approximately 110,000 and 125,000 shares of Cabot common stock as of September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, is reflected at historic cost in stockholders’ equity, and the aggregate value of the accounts that will be paid in cash, which is $1 million as of both September 30, 2012 and 2011, is reflected in other long-term liabilities and marked-to-market quarterly.

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Note P. Restructuring

Cabot’s restructuring activities were recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Cost of sales	$	13	$	16	$	36
Selling and administrative expenses		2		2		10
Research and technical expenses		—		—		—
Total	$	15	$	18	$	46

Details of these restructuring activities and the related reserves for fiscal 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

	Severance and Employee Benefits			Environmental Remediation			Asset Impairment and Accelerated Depreciation			Asset Sales			Other			Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Reserve at September 30, 2010	$	18		$	1		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	19
Charges		8			3			3			(1	)		5			18
Costs charged against assets and other		1			—			(3	)		(4	)		—			(6	)
Proceeds from sale		—			—			—			6			—			6
Cash paid		(17	)		(4	)		—			(1	)		(4	)		(26	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(1	)		—			—			—			1			—
Reserve at September 30, 2011	$	9		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	2		$	11
Charges		3			3			7			(1	)		3			15
Costs charged against assets and other		—			—			(7	)		(3	)		—			(10	)
Proceeds from sale		—			—			—			4			—			4
Cash paid		(10	)		(2	)		—			—			(2	)		(14	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		—			—			—			—			(1	)		(1	)
Reserve at September 30, 2012	$	2		$	1		$	—		$	—		$	2		$	5

Closure of Hong Kong, China Manufacturing Facility

In March 2012, the Company ceased manufacturing operations at its specialty compounds plant in Hong Kong and moved these operations primarily to its facility in Tianjin, China. The decision, which affected 64 employees, was made to consolidate all of these operations in one plant that is closer to the Company’s customers in Asia, and to use fully the advanced process technologies available at Cabot’s facilities in Tianjin.

The Company expects the closure plan will result in a total pre-tax charge to earnings of approximately $10 million. Through September 30, 2012 the Company has charged approximately $6 million to earnings for this restructuring, comprised mainly of accelerated depreciation, asset write-offs, and severance charges.

Cumulative net cash outlays related to this plan are expected to be approximately $3 million comprised primarily of $1 million for severance and $2 million for post close operations. Through September 30, 2012, Cabot has made net cash payments of less than $1 million. The Company expects to make net cash payments of approximately $3 million in fiscal 2013.

As of September 30, 2012, Cabot has $1 million of accrued restructuring costs in the Consolidated Balance Sheet related to this site closure.

Closure of Grigno, Italy Manufacturing Facility

In February 2011, the Company closed its specialty compounds manufacturing facility in Grigno, Italy. This decision was made to align Cabot’s manufacturing capabilities with the market outlook and Cabot’s

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Performance Materials strategy. The closure, which affected 37 employees, resulted in $5 million of net charges to earnings which are comprised of $3 million for severance and employee benefits and $3 million for accelerated depreciation and asset impairments partially offset by a gain of $1 million related to the sale of the facility, which occurred in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.

Through September 30, 2012, Cabot has made net cash payments of $1 million associated with this restructuring plan including $2 million of severance and $1 million of other costs partially offset by proceeds of $2 million from the sale of the facility. The Company expects to make additional severance cash payments of less than $1 million in 2013.

As of September 30, 2012, Cabot has less than $1 million of accrued restructuring costs in the Consolidated Balance Sheet related to this site closure.

Closure of Thane, India Manufacturing Facility

In fiscal 2010, Cabot ceased manufacturing operations at its carbon black manufacturing facility in Thane, India. This decision, which affected approximately 120 employees, was made as a result of a broad reaching analysis of the Company’s manufacturing assets, including their cost structure, ability to expand and a variety of other factors. The Company continues to maintain a presence in India through its fumed metal oxides manufacturing joint venture and continuing commercial operations in carbon black and other products.

The Company has incurred a total pre-tax charge of approximately $24 million and does not expect to incur significant additional costs related to this plan. These costs are comprised of $7 million for severance and employee benefits, $12 million for accelerated depreciation and asset impairments, $3 million demolition and site clearing costs and $2 million for other post-close costs. These amounts exclude any potential gain to be recognized on the sale of land and certain other manufacturing related assets.

Cumulative net cash outlays related to this plan are expected to be approximately $8 million. Through fiscal 2012, Cabot has made net cash payments of $8 million. The Company expects to make cash payments of less than $1 million in 2013. These amounts exclude any potential cash to be received on the sale of land and certain other manufacturing related assets.

As of September 30, 2012, Cabot has less than $1 million of accrued restructuring costs in the Consolidated Balance Sheet related to this site closure.

2009 Global Restructuring

In fiscal 2009, Cabot initiated its 2009 Global Restructuring Plan. Under this plan, the Company closed three manufacturing sites and implemented operating cost and workforce reductions across a variety of its other operations. In fiscal 2010, the Company consolidated several of its European administrative offices in a new European headquarters office in Switzerland.

The Company has recorded cumulative pre-tax charges of $124 million related to this plan. The total amounts the Company has recorded for each major type of cost associated with the restructuring plan are: (i) severance and employee benefits of $55 million for approximately 400 employees, (ii) accelerated depreciation and impairment of facility assets of $45 million, net of gains associated with the sale of certain assets, (iii) demolition and site clearing costs of $7 million, and (iv) other post-closing costs of $17 million.

Net cash outlays related to these actions are expected to be approximately $72 million. Through September 30, 2012, Cabot has made net cash payments of $71 million. During fiscal 2013 and thereafter, the Company expects to make net payments totaling $1 million, net of the expected proceeds from the sale of a former manufacturing site.

As of September 30, 2012, Cabot has $3 million of accrued restructuring costs in accrued expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheet related to this plan.

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Other Activities

Cabot has recorded approximately $1 million and $5 million during fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively, of severance-related restructuring charges at other locations. Through September 30, 2012, Cabot has made cash payments of $5 million related to these activities and expects to pay $1 million in fiscal 2013.

As of September 30, 2012, Cabot has $1 million of accrued restructuring costs in the Consolidated Balance Sheet related to these activities.

Note Q. Stockholders’ Equity

In fiscal 2007, the Board of Directors authorized Cabot to repurchase up to ten million shares of Cabot’s common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. This authorization does not have a set expiration date. During fiscal 2012 Cabot repurchased 1.1 million shares of its common stock under this authorization for an aggregate purchase price of $36 million. During fiscal 2011 Cabot repurchased 1.6 million shares of its common stock under this authorization for an aggregate purchase price of $50 million. There were no shares repurchased in fiscal 2010. As of September 30, 2012, approximately 1.6 million shares remain available for repurchase under the current authorization.

During fiscal 2012, Cabot paid cash dividends of $0.76 per share of common stock. During each of fiscal 2011 and 2010, Cabot paid cash dividends of $0.72 per share of common stock.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table illustrates the after-tax balances of the components comprising Accumulated other comprehensive income:

	September 30
	2012			2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	167		$	163
Unrealized holding gain on investments/derivatives		—			1
Change in funded status of retirement plans		(75	)		(58	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	$	92		$	106

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Note R. Earnings Per Share

The following tables summarize the components of the basic and diluted earnings per common share computations:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(In millions, except per share amounts)
Basic EPS:
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	388		$	236		$	154
Less: Dividends and dividend equivalents to participating securities		—			1			1
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities(1)		3			2			2
Earnings allocated to common shareholders (numerator)	$	385		$	233		$	151
Weighted average common shares and participating securities outstanding		64.0			65.4			65.3
Less: Participating securities(1)		0.6			0.8			1.5
Adjusted weighted average common shares (denominator)		63.4			64.6			63.8
Per share amounts—basic:
Income from continuing operations attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	2.87		$	2.80		$	1.96
Income from discontinued operations		3.20			0.82			0.41
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	6.07		$	3.62		$	2.37
Diluted EPS:
Earnings allocated to common shareholders	$	385		$	233		$	151
Plus: Earnings allocated to participating securities		3			3			3
Less: Adjusted earnings allocated to participating securities(2)		(3	)		(3	)		(3	)
Earnings available to common shares (numerator)	$	385		$	233		$	151
Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding		63.4			64.6			63.8
Effect of dilutive securities:
Common shares issuable(3)		0.8			0.8			0.5
Adjusted weighted average common shares (denominator)		64.2			65.4			64.3
Per share amounts—diluted:
Income from continuing operations attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	2.83		$	2.77		$	1.94
Income from discontinued operations		3.16			0.80			0.41
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	5.99		$	3.57		$	2.35

⁽¹⁾  Participating securities consist of shares of unvested restricted stock, vested restricted stock awards held by employees in which Cabot has a security interest, and unvested time-based restricted stock units.

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Undistributed earnings are the earnings which remain after dividends declared during the period are assumed to be distributed to the common and participating shareholders. Undistributed earnings are allocated to common and participating shareholders on the same basis as dividend distributions. The calculation of undistributed earnings is as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	( Dollars in millions)
Calculation of undistributed earnings:
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	388	$	236	$	154
Less: Dividends declared on common stock		49		46		46
Less: Dividends and dividend equivalents to participating securities		—		1		1
Undistributed earnings	$	339	$	189	$	107
Allocation of undistributed earnings:
Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders	$	336	$	187	$	105
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		3		2		2
Undistributed earnings	$	339	$	189	$	107

⁽²⁾  Undistributed earnings are adjusted for the assumed distribution of dividends to the dilutive securities, which are described in (3) below, and then reallocated to participating securities.

⁽³⁾  Represents incremental shares of common stock from the (i) assumed exercise of stock options issued under Cabot’s equity incentive plans; (ii) assumed issuance of shares to employees pursuant to the Company’s Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan; and (iii) assumed issuance of shares for outstanding and achieved performance-based stock unit awards issued under Cabot’s equity incentive plans using the treasury stock method. For fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively, 395,532 and 253,000 incremental shares of common stock were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the inclusion of these shares would have been antidilutive. For fiscal 2010, 193,000 incremental shares of common stock were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because those shares’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of Cabot common stock for that period.

Note S. Income Taxes

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net earnings of affiliated companies was as follows:

	Years ended September 30
	2012		2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Income (loss) from continuing operations:
Domestic	$	13	$	(25	)	$	3
Foreign		232		228			163
Total	$	245	$	203		$	166

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Tax provision (benefit) on income consisted of the following:

	Years ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
U.S. federal and state:
Current	$	(1	)	$	(7	)	$	(8	)
Deferred		(8	)		(51	)		(14	)
Total		(9	)		(58	)		(22	)
Foreign:
Current		62			57			51
Deferred		2			7			1
Total		64			64			52
Total U.S. and foreign	$	55		$	6		$	30

The provision (benefit) for income taxes differed from the provision for income taxes as calculated using the U.S. statutory rate as follows:

	Years ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Computed tax expense at the federal statutory rate	$	86		$	70		$	58
Foreign income:
Impact of taxation at different rates, repatriation and other		(29	)		(29	)		(26	)
Impact of credit for extraordinary repatriation		—			(24	)		—
Impact of investment incentive credits		—			(2	)		(2	)
Impact of foreign losses for which a current tax benefit is not available		5			6			17
State taxes, net of federal effect		—			—			—
U.S. and state benefits from research and experimentation activities		(2	)		(3	)		(1	)
Tax audit settlements		(2	)		(12	)		(15	)
Release of state tax valuation allowance		(8	)		—			—
Permanent differences, net		5			—			(1	)
Total	$	55		$	6		$	30

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Significant components of deferred income taxes were as follows:

	September 30
	2012			2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Deferred tax assets:
Property, plant & equipment	$	140		$	73
Pension and other benefits		94			87
Environmental liabilities		2			3
Inventory		12			12
Deferred expenses		12			11
State taxes		5			—
Net operating loss carry-forwards		194			125
Other tax carry-forwards		73			137
Other		45			28
Subtotal		577			476
Valuation allowances		(169	)		(138	)
Total deferred tax assets	$	408		$	338

	September 30
	2012		2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant & equipment	$	191	$	28
Intangible assets		107		—
Pension and other benefits		15		2
Unremitted earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries		11		18
Inventory		10		3
Other		10		5
Total deferred tax liabilities	$	344	$	56

In fiscal 2012, Cabot recorded $11 million of net tax benefits including an $8 million state tax benefit from the release of a valuation allowance and $3 million related to settlements and other miscellaneous tax items in the tax provision.

In fiscal 2011, Cabot recorded $38 million net tax benefits including $24 million from the repatriation of high taxed income and $14 million related to tax settlements, the renewal of the U.S. research and experimentation credit, and investment incentive tax credits in the tax provision.

In fiscal 2010, Cabot recorded $17 million of net tax benefits related to tax settlements and investment incentive tax credits and a $1 million net tax charge for other miscellaneous items in the tax provision.

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Approximately $840 million of net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) and $73 million of other tax credit carryforwards remain at September 30, 2012. The benefits of these carryforwards are dependent upon taxable income during the carryforward period in the jurisdictions where they arose. Accordingly, a valuation allowance has been provided where management has determined that it is more likely than not that the carryforwards will not be utilized. The following table provides detail surrounding the expiration dates of these carryforwards:

	NOLs		Credits
	(Dollars in millions)
Expiration periods
2013 to 2019	$	329	$	3
2020 and thereafter		220		47
Indefinite carryforward		291		23
Total	$	840	$	73

As of September 30, 2012, provisions have not been made for U.S. income taxes or non-U.S. withholding taxes on approximately $1,073 million of undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries, as these earnings are considered indefinitely reinvested. Cabot continually reviews the financial position and forecasted cash flows of its U.S. consolidated group and foreign subsidiaries in order to reaffirm the Company’s intent and ability to continue to indefinitely reinvest earnings of its foreign subsidiaries or whether such earnings will need to be repatriated in the foreseeable future. Such review encompasses not only operational needs but also future capital investments. From time to time, however, our intentions relative to specific indefinitely invested amounts change because of certain unique circumstances. For example, in 2011, the Company remitted certain high taxed earnings that had previously been considered indefinitely reinvested in order to preserve a tax benefit in advance of a tax law change.

These earnings could become subject to U.S. income taxes and non-U.S. withholding taxes if they were remitted as dividends, were loaned to Cabot Corporation or a U.S. subsidiary, or if Cabot should sell its stock in the subsidiaries.

As of September 30, 2012, Cabot had net deferred tax assets of $64 million, $49 million of which are in the U.S. The net deferred tax assets were significantly reduced during fiscal 2012 due to the utilization of deferred tax assets in the sale of the Supermetals Business and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities related to the Norit acquisition. Management believes that the Company’s history of generating domestic profits provides adequate evidence that it is more likely than not that all of the U.S. net deferred tax assets will be realized in the normal course of business. U.S. income from continuing operations adjusted for U.S. permanent differences was a profit of $86 million for the year ended September 30, 2012 and was a cumulative profit of $221 million for the three years ended September 30, 2012 including dividends from non-U.S. subsidiaries.

Realization of deferred tax asset is dependent on achieving future taxable income over an extended period of time. As of September 30, 2012, the Company would need to generate approximately $403 million in cumulative future U.S. taxable income at various times over approximately 20 years to realize all of its net U.S. deferred tax assets. The Company reviews its forecast in relation to actual results and expected trends on a quarterly basis. Failure to achieve operating income targets may change the Company’s assessment regarding the recoverability of Cabot’s deferred tax assets and such change could result in a valuation allowance being recorded against some or all of the Company’s deferred tax assets. Any increase in a valuation allowance would result in additional income tax expense, lower stockholders’ equity and could have a significant impact on Cabot’s earnings in future periods.

The valuation allowances at September 30, 2012 and 2011 represent management’s best estimate of the non-realizable portion of the deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance increased in certain tax jurisdictions by $31 million, $12 million, and $6 million in fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, due to the uncertainty of the ultimate realization of certain future tax benefits and net operating losses generated or acquired that are included in deferred tax assets.

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Cabot has filed its tax returns in accordance with the tax laws in each jurisdiction and recognizes tax benefits for uncertain tax positions when the position would more likely than not be sustained based on its technical merits and recognizes measurement adjustments when needed. As of September 30, 2012, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $55 million, of which $39 million was recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet and $16 million of deferred tax assets, principally related to state net operating loss carryforwards, have not been recorded. In addition, accruals of $3 million and $15 million have been recorded for penalties and interest, respectively, as of September 30, 2012 and $3 million and $14 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2011. Total penalties and interest recorded in the tax provision in the Consolidated Statement of Operations was $3 million in each of fiscal years 2012, 2011, and 2010. If the unrecognized tax benefits were recognized at a given point in time, there would be approximately $44 million favorable impact on the Company’s tax provision before consideration of the impact of the potential need for valuation allowances.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

	Years ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Balance at beginning of the year	$	65		$	75		$	81
Additions based on tax provisions related to the current year		4			2			6
Additions for tax positions of prior years		—			1			3
Reductions of tax provisions of prior years		(14	)		(13	)		(15	)
Balance at end of the year	$	55		$	65		$	75

Certain Cabot subsidiaries are under audit in jurisdictions outside of the U.S. In addition, certain statutes of limitations are scheduled to expire in the near future. It is reasonably possible that a further change in the unrecognized tax benefits may occur within the next twelve months related to the settlement of one or more of these audits or the lapse of applicable statutes of limitations; however, an estimated range of the impact on the unrecognized tax benefits cannot be quantified at this time.

Cabot files U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. income tax returns in jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitations. The 2007 through 2012 tax years generally remain subject to examination by the IRS and various tax years from 2004 through 2012 remain subject to examination by the respective state tax authorities. In significant non-U.S. jurisdictions, various tax years from 2001 through 2012 remain subject to examination by their respective tax authorities. As of September 30, 2012 Cabot’s significant non-U.S. jurisdictions include Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

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Note T. Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Lease Commitments

Cabot leases certain transportation vehicles, warehouse facilities, office space, machinery and equipment under cancelable and non-cancelable operating leases, most of which expire within ten years and may be renewed by Cabot. Escalation clauses, lease payments dependent on existing rates/ indices and other lease concessions are included in the minimum lease payments and such lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease term. Rent expense under such arrangements for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 totaled $15 million, $19 million and $21 million, respectively. Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable leases are as follows:

	(Dollars in millions)
2013		22
2014		17
2015		14
2016		10
2017		5
2018 and thereafter		27
Total future minimum rental commitments	$	95

Other Long-Term Commitments

Cabot has entered into long-term purchase agreements primarily for the purchase of raw materials. Under certain of these agreements, the quantity of material being purchased is fixed, but the price paid changes as market prices change. Raw materials purchased under these agreements by segment for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Reinforcement Materials	$	312	$	340	$	294
Performance Materials		47		18		36
Purification Solutions(1)		4		N/A		N/A
Advanced Technologies		6		—		6
Other		1		—		—
Total	$	370	$	358	$	336

⁽¹⁾  The year ended September 30, 2012 includes two months of purchases for Norit.

Included in the table above are raw materials purchases from noncontrolling shareholders of consolidated subsidiaries. These purchases were $116 million, $134 million and $126 million during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities owed to noncontrolling shareholders as of September 30, 2012 and 2011, were $13 million and $10 million, respectively.

The purchase commitments for these agreements are with various suppliers and purchases are expected to take place as follows:

	Payments Due by Fiscal Year
	2013		2014		2015		2016		2017		Thereafter		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Reinforcement Materials	$	386	$	270	$	255	$	195	$	171	$	2,609	$	3,886
Performance Materials		40		33		33		32		29		256		423
Purification Solutions		21		12		8		8		8		23		80
Advanced Technologies		5		3		1		—		—		—		9
Total	$	452	$	318	$	297	$	235	$	208	$	2,888	$	4,398

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The dollar value of these commitments has been estimated using current market prices. As noted above, these will fluctuate based on time of purchase.

Guarantee Agreements

Cabot has provided certain indemnities pursuant to which it may be required to make payments to an indemnified party in connection with certain transactions and agreements. In connection with certain acquisitions and divestitures, Cabot has provided routine indemnities with respect to such matters as environmental, tax, insurance, product and employee liabilities. In connection with various other agreements, including service and supply agreements, Cabot has provided indemnities for certain contingencies and routine warranties. Cabot is unable to estimate the maximum potential liability for these types of indemnities as a maximum obligation is not explicitly stated in most cases and the amounts, if any, are dependent upon the outcome of future contingent events, the nature and likelihood of which cannot be reasonably estimated. The duration of the indemnities vary, and in many cases are indefinite. Cabot has not recorded any liability for these indemnities in the consolidated financial statements, except as otherwise disclosed.

Self-Insurance and Retention for Certain Contingencies

The Company is partially self-insured for certain third-party liabilities globally, as well as workers’ compensation and employee medical benefits in the United States. The third-party and workers’ compensation liabilities are managed through a wholly-owned insurance captive and the related liabilities are included in the consolidated financial statements. The employee medical obligations are managed by a third-party provider and the related liabilities are included in the consolidated financial statements. To limit Cabot’s potential liabilities for these risks, however, the Company purchases insurance from third-parties that provides individual and aggregate stop-loss protection. The aggregate self-insured liability in fiscal 2012 for combined U.S. third-party liabilities and U.S. workers’ compensation was $5 million, and the retention for medical costs in the United States is at most $200,000 per person per annum.

Contingencies

Cabot is a defendant, or potentially responsible party, in various lawsuits and environmental proceedings wherein substantial amounts are claimed or at issue.

Environmental Matters

As of September 30, 2012 and 2011, Cabot had $7 million and $6 million, respectively, reserved for environmental matters primarily related to divested businesses. In fiscal 2012 and 2011, there was $3 million and $2 million in accrued liabilities and $4 million and $4 million in other liabilities, respectively, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for environmental matters. These amounts represent Cabot’s best estimates of its share of costs likely to be incurred at those sites where costs are reasonably estimable based on its analysis of the extent of clean up required, alternative clean up methods available, abilities of other responsible parties to contribute and its interpretation of laws and regulations applicable to each site. Cabot reviews the adequacy of this reserve as circumstances change at individual sites. Charges for environmental expense were $3 million, $1 million, and $3 million in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Cash payments were $2 million, $2 million and $1 million during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to these environmental matters.

The operation and maintenance component of the $7 million reserve for environmental matters was $4 million. Cabot expects to make payments of $3 million in fiscal 2013, $1 million in each of fiscal 2014 through fiscal 2016, less than $1 million in 2017 and a total of $1 million thereafter.

When deemed appropriate, the Company discounts its liability for environmental matters. A weighted average risk free rate of 1% was used for the environmental liability at September 30, 2012. The book value of the liabilities will be accreted up to the undiscounted liability value through interest expense over the expected cash flow period. The accreted interest expense was less than $1 million for each of fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010.

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In June 2009, Cabot received an information request from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) regarding Cabot’s carbon black manufacturing facility in Pampa, Texas. The information request relates to the Pampa facility’s compliance with certain regulatory and permitting requirements under the Clean Air Act, including the New Source Review (“NSR”) construction permitting requirements. EPA has indicated that this information request is part of an EPA national initiative focused on the U.S. carbon black manufacturing sector. Cabot responded to EPA’s information request in August 2009 and is in discussions with EPA. Based upon these discussions, it is anticipated that Cabot will invest significant funds for capital improvements to install technology controls at certain U.S. facilities over a number of years, and pay a civil penalty to EPA to resolve the matter. The costs for these technology control devices will likely be capital in nature and impact the Consolidated Statement of Operations over the depreciable lives of the associated assets.

Respirator Liabilities

Cabot has exposure in connection with a safety respiratory products business that a subsidiary acquired from American Optical Corporation (“AO”) in an April 1990 asset purchase transaction. The subsidiary manufactured respirators under the AO brand and disposed of that business in July 1995. In connection with its acquisition of the business, the subsidiary agreed, in certain circumstances, to assume a portion of AO’s liabilities, including costs of legal fees together with amounts paid in settlements and judgments, allocable to AO respiratory products used prior to the 1990 purchase by the Cabot subsidiary. In exchange for the subsidiary’s assumption of certain of AO’s respirator liabilities, AO agreed to provide to the subsidiary the benefits of: (i) AO’s insurance coverage for the period prior to the 1990 acquisition and (ii) a former owner’s indemnity of AO holding it harmless from any liability allocable to AO respiratory products used prior to May 1982.

Generally, these respirator liabilities involve claims for personal injury, including asbestosis, silicosis and coal worker’s pneumoconiosis, allegedly resulting from the use of respirators that are claimed to have been negligently designed or labeled. Neither Cabot, nor its past or present subsidiaries, at any time manufactured asbestos or asbestos-containing products. At no time did this respiratory product line represent a significant portion of the respirator market.

The subsidiary transferred the business to Aearo Corporation (“Aearo”) in July 1995. Cabot agreed to have the subsidiary retain certain liabilities associated with exposure to asbestos and silica while using respirators prior to the 1995 transaction so long as Aearo paid, and continues to pay, Cabot an annual fee of $400,000. Aearo can discontinue payment of the fee at any time, in which case it will assume the responsibility for and indemnify Cabot against those liabilities which Cabot’s subsidiary had agreed to retain. The Company anticipates that it will continue to receive payment of the $400,000 fee from Aearo and thereby retain these liabilities for the foreseeable future. Cabot has no liability in connection with any products manufactured by Aearo after 1995.

In addition to Cabot’s subsidiary and as described above, other parties are responsible for significant portions of the costs of respirator liabilities, leaving Cabot’s subsidiary with a portion of the liability in only some of the pending cases. These parties include Aearo, AO, AO’s insurers, and another former owner and its insurers (collectively, with the Company’s subsidiary, the “Payor Group”).

As of both September 30, 2012 and 2011, there were approximately 42,000 claimants in pending cases asserting claims against AO in connection with respiratory products. Cabot has contributed to the Payor Group’s defense and settlement costs with respect to a percentage of pending claims depending on several factors, including the period of alleged product use. In order to quantify Cabot’s estimated share of liability for pending and future respirator liability claims, Cabot has engaged, through counsel, the assistance of Hamilton, Rabinovitz & Alschuler, Inc. (“HR&A”), a leading consulting firm in the field of tort liability valuation. The methodology used by HR&A addresses the complexities surrounding Cabot’s potential liability by making assumptions about future claimants with respect to periods of asbestos, silica and coal mine dust exposure and respirator use. Using those and other assumptions, HR&A estimates the number of future asbestos, silica and coal mine dust claims that will be filed and the related costs that would be incurred in resolving both currently pending and future claims. On this basis, HR&A then estimates the net

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present value of the share of these liabilities that reflect Cabot’s period of direct manufacture and Cabot’s contractual obligations. Based on the HR&A estimates, Cabot has recorded on a discounted basis a $13 million reserve ($17 million on an undiscounted basis) to cover its estimated share of liability for pending and future respirator claims. The Company made payments related to its respirator liability of $2 million in fiscal 2012, $5 million in fiscal 2011 and $2 million in fiscal 2010.

The Company’s current estimate of the cost of its share of existing and future respirator liability claims is based on facts and circumstances existing at this time. Developments that could affect the Company’s estimate include, but are not limited to, (i) significant changes in the number of future claims, (ii) changes in the rate of dismissals without payment of pending silica and non-malignant asbestos claims, (iii) significant changes in the average cost of resolving claims, (iv) significant changes in the legal costs of defending these claims, (v) changes in the nature of claims received, (vi) changes in the law and procedure applicable to these claims, (vii) the financial viability of members of the Payor Group, (viii) a change in the availability of AO’s insurance coverage or the indemnity provided by AO’s former owner, (ix) changes in the allocation of costs among the Payor Group, and (x) a determination that the assumptions used to estimate the Company’s share of liability are inaccurate. The Company cannot determine the impact of these potential developments on its current estimate of its share of liability for these existing and future claims. Accordingly, the actual amount of these liabilities for existing and future claims could be different than the reserved amount.

The $13 million liability for respirator claims is recognized on a discounted basis using a discount rate of 5%, which represents management’s best estimate of the risk free rate to apply to the cash flow payments of the liability that are projected through 2065. The total expected aggregate undiscounted amount of future payments is $17 million. Cabot estimates payments of approximately $2 million, $2 million, $2 million, $2 million, and $1 million in fiscal 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively, and a total of $8 million in fiscal 2018 through 2065. The book value of the liabilities will be accreted up to the undiscounted liability value through interest expense over the expected cash flow period, which was less than $1 million in fiscal 2012. Cash payments were $2 million in fiscal 2012, $5 million in 2011 and $2 million in 2010 related to this liability. If the timing of Cabot’s actual payments made for respirator claims differs significantly from the Company’s estimated payment schedule, and the Company determines that it can no longer reasonably predict the timing of such payments, Cabot then could be required to record the reserve amount on an undiscounted basis on its consolidated balance sheets, causing an immediate impact to earnings.

Other

The Company has various other lawsuits, claims and contingent liabilities arising in the ordinary course of its business and with respect to the Company’s divested businesses. In the opinion of the Company, although final disposition of some or all of these other suits and claims may impact the Company’s financial statements in a particular period, they are not expected in the aggregate to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position.

Note U. Concentration of Credit Risk

Credit risk represents the loss that would be recognized if counterparties failed to completely perform as contracted. Financial instruments that subject Cabot to credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, investments, trade receivables, notes receivable from sale of business and derivatives. Cabot maintains financial instruments with major banks and financial institutions. The Company has not

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experienced any material credit losses related to these instruments held at these financial institutions. Furthermore, concentrations of credit risk exist for groups of customers when they have similar economic characteristics that would cause their ability to meet contractual obligations to be similarly affected by changes in economic or other conditions.

No customer individually represented 10% or more of consolidated net sales for fiscal 2012 and 2011. During fiscal 2010, The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company accounted for approximately 12% of Cabot’s annual consolidated net sales.

Tire manufacturers comprise a significant portion of Cabot’s trade receivable balance. The accounts receivable balance for these significant customers are as follows:

	September 30
	2012		2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Tire manufacturers	$	346	$	318

Cabot has not experienced significant losses in the past from these customers. Cabot monitors its exposure to customers to manage potential credit losses.

Note V. Financial Information by Segment & Geographic Area

Segment Information

After the sale of the Company’s Supermetals Business and acquisition of Norit, management made changes in the composition of its segments and renamed them with names that are more descriptive of the underlying businesses. With these changes, Cabot’s four business segments are: Reinforcement Materials (formerly the Core Segment); Performance Materials (formerly the Performance Segment); Advanced Technologies (the combination of the former New Business and Specialty Fluids Segments); and Purification Solutions (the newly acquired Norit business).

While the Chief Operating Decision Maker uses a number of performance measures to manage the performance of the segments and allocate resources to them, segment operating profit (loss) before interest and taxes (“Segment EBIT”) is the measure that is most consistently used and is, therefore, the measure presented for each segment in the financial information by segment table below on the line entitled Income (loss) before taxes. Segment EBIT excludes certain items, meaning items considered by management to be unusual and not representative of segment results. In addition, Segment EBIT includes Equity in net income of affiliated companies, net of tax, the full operating results of a contractual joint venture in Purification Solutions, royalties paid by equity affiliates and Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax, but exclude Interest expense, foreign currency transaction gains and losses, interest income, dividend income, unearned revenue, the effects of LIFO accounting for inventory, and unallocated general and corporate costs. Segment assets exclude cash, short-term investments, cost investments, income taxes receivable, deferred taxes and headquarters’ assets, which are included in unallocated and other. Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets include total equity and other investments (including available-for-sale securities), property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and assets held for rent.

Reinforcement Materials

Rubber blacks are used in tires and industrial products. These products have traditionally been used in the tire industry as a rubber reinforcing agent and are also used as a performance additive. In industrial products such as hoses, belts, extruded profiles and molded goods, rubber blacks are used to improve the physical performance of the product.

Performance Materials

Performance Materials is comprised of two businesses that sell the following products: specialty grades of carbon black and thermoplastic concentrates and compounds (the Specialty Carbons and Compounds

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Business); and fumed silica, fumed alumina and dispersions thereof (the Fumed Metal Oxides Business). The net sales from each of these businesses for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Specialty Carbons and Compounds	$	664	$	626	$	531
Fumed Metal Oxides		250		254		252
Total Performance Materials	$	914	$	880	$	783

In each business, Cabot designs, manufactures and sells materials that deliver performance in a broad range of customer applications across the automotive, construction and infrastructure, and electronics and consumer products sectors.

Cabot’s specialty grades of carbon black are used to impart color, provide rheology control, enhance conductivity and static charge control, provide UV protection, enhance mechanical properties, and provide chemical flexibility through surface treatment. These products are used in a wide variety of applications, such as inks, coatings, cables, pipes, toners and electronics. In addition, Cabot manufactures and sources thermoplastic concentrates and compounds that are marketed to the plastics industry.

Fumed silica is an ultra-fine, high-purity particle used as a reinforcing, thickening, abrasive, thixotropic, suspending or anti-caking agent in a wide variety of products produced for the automotive, construction, microelectronics, and consumer products industries. These products include adhesives, sealants, cosmetics, inks, toners, silicone rubber, coatings, polishing slurries and pharmaceuticals. Fumed alumina, also an ultra-fine, high-purity particle, is used as an abrasive, absorbent or barrier agent in a variety of products, such as inkjet media, lighting, coatings, cosmetics and polishing slurries.

Advanced Technologies

Advanced Technologies is comprised of the Inkjet Colorants, Aerogel, Security Materials, Elastomer Composites and Specialty Fluids Businesses. The net sales from each of these businesses are as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Inkjet Colorants	$	66	$	65	$	57
Aerogel		18		24		24
Security Materials		9		11		7
Elastomer Composites		23		17		17
Specialty Fluids		94		69		81
Total Advanced Technologies	$	210	$	186	$	186

The Inkjet Colorants Business produces and sells aqueous inkjet colorants primarily to the inkjet printing market. The Company’s inkjet colorants are high-quality pigment-based black and other colorant dispersions manufactured by surface treating specialty grades of carbon black and other pigments. The dispersions are used in aqueous inkjet inks to impart color (optical density or chroma) with improved durability (waterfastness, lightfastness and rub resistance) while maintaining high printhead reliability. Cabot’s inkjet colorants are produced for various inkjet printing applications including small office and home office, corporate office, and commercial printing, as well as for other niche applications that require a high level of dispersibility and colloidal stability.

Aerogel is a hydrophobic, silica-based particle with a high surface area that is used in a variety of thermal insulation and specialty chemical applications. In the construction industry, the product is used in insulative composite building products and translucent skylight, window, wall and roof systems for insulating eco-daylighting applications. In the oil and gas industry, aerogel is used to insulate subsea

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pipelines. In the specialty chemicals industry, the product is used to provide matte finishing, insulating and thickening properties for use in a variety of applications. The Company continues to focus on application and market development activities for use of aerogel in these and other new applications.

The principal area of commercial focus for the Security Materials Business is in developing covert taggants for a broad range of anti-counterfeiting security applications, including brand security, currency, tax stamps, identification and fuel markers. Covert taggants are invisible, unique markers that are added to products to determine their authenticity through the use of custom detectors or readers. The Company’s taggants are manufactured using a proprietary process, which produces highly uniform materials with unique signatures.

The Elastomer Composites Business has developed elastomer composite products that are compounds of natural latex rubber and carbon black made by a patented liquid phase process. The Company believes that these compounds improve abrasion/wear resistance, reduce fatigue and reduce rolling resistance compared to natural rubber/carbon black compounds made by conventional methods. These products are targeted for tire, defense, mining, automotive, and aerospace applications.

The Specialty Fluids Business principally produces and markets cesium formate as a drilling and completion fluid for use primarily in high pressure and high temperature oil and gas well construction. Cesium formate products are solids-free, high-density fluids that have a low viscosity, enabling safe and efficient well construction and workover operations. The fluid is resistant to high temperatures, minimizes damage to producing reservoirs and is readily biodegradable in accordance with testing guidelines set by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. In a majority of applications, cesium formate is blended with other formates or products. Income from continuing operations before taxes for the Specialty Fluids Business was $44 million, $22 million, and $35 million in fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

Purification Solutions

The Company’s activated carbon products are used for the purification of water, air, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals and other liquids and gases. In gas and air applications, one of the uses of activated carbon is for the removal of mercury in flue gas streams. In addition, Purification Solutions’ products are used as a catalyst or catalyst carrier; as a chemical carrier in slow release applications (such as delayed release pharmaceuticals); as either a colorant or a decolorizing agent in the production of products for food and beverage applications; and in the gold mining industry. In addition to activated carbon production and reactivation, the Company also provides activated carbon solutions through on-site equipment and services, including delivery systems for activated carbon injection in coal-fired utilities, mobile water filter units and carbon reactivation services.

108

Financial information by segment is as follows:

	Reinforcement Materials		Performance Materials		Advanced Technologies		Purification Solutions		Segment Total		Unallocated and Other(1), (3)			Consolidated Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Years Ended September 30
2012
Revenues from external customers(2)	$	2,019	$	914	$	210	$	61	$	3,204	$	96		$	3,300
Depreciation and amortization		82		47		13		8		150		6			156
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		9		1		—		1		11		—			11
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes(3)		227		128		49		5		409		(164	)		245
Assets(4)		1,527		717		209		1,433		3,886		513			4,399
Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets(5)		163		87		16		350		616		6			622
2011
Revenues from external
customers(2)	$	1,952	$	880	$	186	$	—	$	3,018	$	84		$	3,102
Depreciation and amortization		80		37		14		—		131		8			139
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		7		1		—		—		8		—			8
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes(3)		183		140		31		—		354		(151	)		203
Assets(4)		1,509		661		191		—		2,361		780			3,141
Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets(5)		126		99		10		—		235		6			241
2010
Revenues from external customers(2)	$	1,660	$	783	$	186	$	—	$	2,629	$	87		$	2,716
Depreciation and amortization		74		35		12		—		121		16			137
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		6		1		—		—		7		—			7
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes(3)		139		125		50		—		314		(148	)		166
Assets(4)		1,277		544		188		—		2,009		877			2,886
Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets(5)		62		38		4		—		104		3			107

⁽¹⁾  Unallocated and other includes certain items and eliminations necessary to reflect management’s reporting of operating segment results. These items are reflective of the segment reporting presented to the Chief Operating Decision Maker.

109

⁽²⁾  Unallocated and other reflects royalties paid by equity affiliates, external shipping and handling fees, and the impact of the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue.

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Royalties paid by equity affiliates, other operating revenues, and the impact of the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue…………………………	$	11	$	(2	)	$	7
Shipping and handling fees		85		86			80
Total	$	96	$	84		$	87

⁽³⁾  Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes for Unallocated and Other includes:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Interest expense	$	(46	)	$	(39	)	$	(40	)
Certain items(a)		(51	)		(19	)		(53	)
Equity in net earnings of affiliated companies(b)		(11	)		(8	)		(7	)
Unallocated corporate costs(c)		(56	)		(53	)		(48	)
General unallocated (expense) income(d)		—			(32	)		—
Total	$	(164	)	$	(151	)	$	(148	)

^(a)  Certain items are items that management does not consider to be representative of segment results and they are, therefore, excluded from Segment EBIT. Certain items, pre-tax, for fiscal 2012 primarily include $17 million related to global restructuring activities, $26 million for acquisition related charges (consisting of $14 million of legal and professional fees disclosed in Note C, $3 million for certain other one-time integration costs and $9 million of additional charges related to acquisition accounting adjustments for the acquired inventory), $4 million for environmental and legal reserves, and a $4 million addition in the reserve for respirator claims. Certain items, pre-tax, for fiscal 2011 primarily include charges for global restructuring activities discussed in Note P. Certain items, pre-tax, for fiscal 2010 include $46 million related to global restructuring activities, $3 million for environmental reserves and legal settlements, $2 million long-lived asset impairment of land related to a former carbon black site, and a $2 million addition in the reserve for respirator claims.

^(b)  Equity in net income of affiliated companies is included in segment EBIT and is removed from Unallocated and other to reconcile to income (loss) from operations before taxes.

^(c)  Unallocated corporate costs are not controlled by the segments and primarily benefit corporate interests.

^(d)  General unallocated (expense) income consists of gains (losses) arising from foreign currency transactions, net of other foreign currency risk management activities, the impact of accounting for certain inventory on a LIFO basis, and the profit or loss related to the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue. Additionally, for fiscal 2011, this amount included a $3 million charge related to a change in the net worth tax regulations in Colombia, and $3 million related to a portion of the benefit from a legal judgment.

⁽⁴⁾  Unallocated and Other assets includes cash, marketable securities, cost investments, income taxes receivable, deferred taxes, headquarters’ assets, and current and non-current assets held for sale.

⁽⁵⁾  Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets include total equity and other investments (including available-for-sale securities), property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and assets held for rent.

110

Geographic Information

Sales are attributed to the United States and to all foreign countries based on the location from which the sale originated. Revenues from external customers and long-lived assets attributable to an individual country, other than the United States, Japan and China, were not material for disclosure.

Revenues from external customers and long-lived asset information by geographic area are summarized as follows:

	United States		Japan		China		Other Foreign Countries		Consolidated Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Years Ended September 30,
2012
Revenues from external customers	$	695	$	330	$	543	$	1,732	$	3,300
Net property, plant and equipment	$	486	$	54	$	305	$	707	$	1,552
2011
Revenues from external customers	$	589	$	307	$	554	$	1,652	$	3,102
Net property, plant and equipment	$	233	$	30	$	274	$	499	$	1,036
2010
Revenues from external customers	$	546	$	248	$	458	$	1,464	$	2,716
Net property, plant and equipment	$	227	$	41	$	203	$	504	$	975

Note W. Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information

Unaudited financial results by quarter for fiscal 2012 and 2011 are summarized below.

	Quarter Ended
	December			March			June			September			Year
	(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Fiscal 2012
Consolidated Net Income
Net sales and other operating revenues	$	762		$	844		$	846		$	848		$	3,300
Gross profit		143			173			175			157			648
Selling and administrative expenses		65			66			68			86			285
Research and technical expenses		17			20			17			19			73
Income from operations		61			87			90			52			290
Net interest expense and other charges		(6	)		(11	)		(12	)		(16	)		(45	)
Income from continuing operations before taxes		55			76			78			36			245
Provision for income taxes		(16	)		(23	)		(16	)		—			(55	)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		1			3			4			3			11
Income from operations of discontinued operations, net of tax		11			189			4			1			205
Net income		51			245			70			40			406
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax		5			5			4			4			18
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	46		$	240		$	66		$	36		$	388
Income per share - diluted:
Income from continuing operations	$	0.55		$	0.78		$	0.96		$	0.54		$	2.83
Income from discontinued operations		0.16			2.92			0.06			0.02			3.16
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	0.71		$	3.70		$	1.02		$	0.56		$	5.99

111

	Quarter Ended
	December			March			June			September			Year
	(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Fiscal 2011
Consolidated Net Income
Net sales and other operating revenues	$	694		$	739		$	836		$	833		$	3,102
Gross profit		131			134			152			141			558
Selling and administrative expenses		63			62			61			63			249
Research and technical expenses		15			18			16			17			66
Income from operations		53			54			75			61			243
Net interest expense and other charges		(7	)		(6	)		(13	)		(14	)		(40	)
Income from continuing operations before taxes		46			48			62			47			203
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		15			(9	)		(10	)		(2	)		(6	)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		3			1			2			2			8
Income from operations of discontinued operations, net of tax		16			16			13			8			53
Net income		80			56			67			55			258
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax		5			5			7			5			22
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	75		$	51		$	60		$	50		$	236
Income per share - diluted:
Income from continuing operations	$	0.88		$	0.52		$	0.73		$	0.64		$	2.77
Income from discontinued operations		0.25			0.24			0.19			0.12			0.80
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	1.13		$	0.76		$	0.92		$	0.76		$	3.57

112

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Cabot Corporation

Boston, Massachusetts

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cabot Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Cabot Corporation and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2012 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2012, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2012, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated November 29, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

November 29, 2012

113

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Cabot Corporation

Boston, Massachusetts

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Cabot Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As described in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management excluded from its assessment the internal control over financial reporting at Norit N.V. and its subsidiaries, which was acquired on July 31, 2012 and whose financial statements reflect total assets and revenues constituting 21% and 2%, respectively, of the consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended September 30, 2012. Accordingly, our audit did not include the internal control over financial reporting at Norit N.V and subsidiaries. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2012, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended September 30, 2012 of the Company and our report dated November 29, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

November 29, 2012

114

PART II

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Cabot carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of September 30, 2012. Based on that evaluation, Cabot’s President and Chief Executive Officer and its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective with respect to the recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, of information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act and such information is accumulated and communicated to management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Cabot’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for Cabot. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, a company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

• Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;

• Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and

• Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Cabot’s management assessed the effectiveness of Cabot’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2012 based on the framework established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Management excluded from its assessment the internal control over financial reporting at Norit N.V. and its subsidiaries, which was acquired on July 31, 2012 and whose financial statements reflect total assets and revenues constituting 21% and 2%, respectively, of the consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended September 30, 2012. Based on this assessment, Cabot’s management concluded that Cabot’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2012.

115

Cabot’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2012 has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their attestation report included herein.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

116

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Certain information regarding our executive officers is included at the end of Part I of this annual report under the heading “Executive Officers of the Registrant.”

Cabot has adopted Global Ethics and Compliance Standards, a code of ethics that applies to all of the Company’s employees and directors, including the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller and other senior financial officers. The Global Ethics and Compliance Standards are posted on our website, www.cabot-corp.com (under the “Governance” caption under “About Cabot”). We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement regarding any amendment to, or waiver of, a provision of the Global Ethics and Compliance Standards applicable to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller or other senior financial officers by posting such information on our website.

The other information required by this item will be included in our Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“Proxy Statement”) and is herein incorporated by reference.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by this item will be included in our Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information relating to security ownership of certain beneficial owners of our common stock, and information relating to the security ownership of our management required by this item will be included in our Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference

The following table provides information as of September 30, 2012 about: (i) the number of shares of common stock that may be issued upon exercise of outstanding options and vesting of restricted stock units; (ii) the weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options; and (iii) the number of shares of common stock available for future issuance under our active plans: the 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Compensation Plan. All of our equity compensation plans have been approved by our stockholders.

Plan category	Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a)(1)		Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding option, warrants and rights (b)(2)		Number of securities remaining available for future issuance  under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c)(3)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders		2,904,661	$	24.17		4,179,765
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders		N/A		N/A		N/A

⁽¹⁾  Includes (i) 1,578,641 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, (ii) 567,479 shares issuable upon vesting of time-based restricted stock units, (iii) 472,038 shares issuable upon vesting of performance-based restricted stock units based upon the achievement of the annual financial performance metrics for the three years within the three-year performance period of the 2010 awards, the first two years within the three-year performance period of the 2011 awards, and the first year within the three-year performance period of the 2012 awards; and (iv) 286,503 shares issuable upon vesting of the performance-based stock units attributable to year three of the 2011 awards and years two and three of the 2012 awards, assuming Cabot performs at the maximum performance level in each of those years. If, instead, Cabot performs at the target level of performance in those years, a total of 191,002 shares would be issuable for year three of the 2011 awards and years two and three of the 2012 awards.

117

⁽²⁾  The weighted-average exercise price includes all outstanding stock options but does not include restricted stock units, which do not have an exercise price.

⁽³⁾  Of these shares, (i) 4,017,517 shares remain available for future issuance under our 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan, and (ii) 162,248 remain available for future issuance under our Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Compensation Plan.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by this item will be included in our Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information required by this item will be included in our Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

118

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a) Financial Statements. See “Index to Financial Statements” under Item 8 on page 54 of this Form 10-K.

(b) Exhibits. (Certain exhibits not included in copies of the Form 10-K sent to stockholders.)

The exhibit numbers in the following list correspond to the numbers assigned to such exhibits in the Exhibit Table of Item 601 of Regulation S-K. Cabot will furnish to any stockholder, upon written request, any exhibit listed below, upon payment by such stockholder of the Company’s reasonable expenses in furnishing such exhibit.

Exhibit Number	Description
3(a)	Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Cabot Corporation effective January 9, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2008, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on February 9, 2009).
3(b)	The By-laws of Cabot Corporation as amended September 9, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(b) of Cabot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2011, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on November 29, 2011).
4(a)(i)	Indenture, dated as of December 1, 1987, between Cabot Corporation and The First National Bank of Boston, Trustee (the “Indenture”) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 of Amendment No. 1 to Cabot’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration Statement No. 33-18883, filed with the SEC on December 10, 1987).
4(a)(ii)	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 17, 1992, to the Indenture (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Cabot’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration Statement No. 33-48686, filed with the SEC on June 18, 1992).
4(a)(iii)	Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 31, 1997, between Cabot Corporation and State Street Bank and Trust Company, Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 1996, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on February 14, 1997).
4(a)(iv)	Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 20, 1998, between Cabot Corporation and State Street Bank and Trust Company, Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Cabot’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 20, 1998, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on November 20, 1998).
4(a)(v)	Indenture, dated as of September 21, 2009, between Cabot Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Cabot’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 ASR, Registration Statement No. 333-162021, filed with the SEC on September 21, 2009).
4(a)(vi)	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 24, 2009, between Cabot Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Cabot’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 24, 2009, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on September 24, 2009).
4(a)(vii)	Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 12, 2012 between Cabot Corporation, as issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, including the form of Global Note attached as Annex A thereto, supplementing the Indenture dated as of September 21, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Cabot’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 9, 2012, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on July 12, 2012).

119

Exhibit Number	Description
10(a)(i)	Credit Agreement, dated August 26, 2011, among Cabot Corporation, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Citibank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., and Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., and the other lenders party thereto (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2012).
10(a)(ii)	Documentation dated July 13, 2012 relating to the increase in the aggregate commitments available pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated August 26, 2011, among Cabot Corporation, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Citibank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., and Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. and the other lenders party thereto (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on August 6, 2012).
10(b)(i)*	2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix B of Cabot’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A relating to the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on January 30, 2012).
10(b)(ii)*	Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix B of Cabot’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A relating to the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on January 30, 2006).
10(b)(iii)*	Cabot Corporation Short-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A of Cabot’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A relating to the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on January 28, 2011).
10(b)(iv)*	2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix B of Cabot’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A relating to the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on January 30, 2006).
10(c)	Note Purchase Agreement between John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee for the Cabot Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan, and Cabot Corporation, dated as of November 15, 1988 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) of Cabot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1988, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on December 29, 1988).
10(d)(i)*	Cabot Corporation Amended and Restated Supplemental Cash Balance Plan dated December 31, 2008 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2008, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on February 9, 2009).
10(d)(ii)*	Cabot Corporation Amended and Restated Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan dated December 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2008, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on February 9, 2009).
10(d)(iii)*	Cabot Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan dated January 1, 1995 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(e)(v) of Cabot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1995, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on December 29, 1995).
10(d)(iv)*	Amendment 1997-I to Cabot Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan dated June 30, 1997 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(d)(vi) of Cabot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1997, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on December 24, 1997).

120

Exhibit Number	Description
10(d)(v)*	Cabot Corporation Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan dated July 13, 2007 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(d)(viii) of Cabot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2007, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on November 29, 2007).
10(d)(vi)*	Amendment No. 1 to Cabot Corporation Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan dated November 9, 2007 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2007, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on February 11, 2008).
10(d)(vii)*	Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Deferral Plan dated July 14, 2006 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2006, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on August 9, 2006).
10(d)(viii)*	Amendment No. 1 to Cabot Corporation Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Deferral Plan dated November 9, 2007 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2007, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on February 11, 2008).
10(d)(ix)*	Amendment No. 2 to Cabot Corporation Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan dated December 31, 2008 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2008, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on February 9, 2009).
10(e)*†	Summary of Compensation for Non-Employee Directors.
10(f)	Asset Transfer Agreement, dated as of June 13, 1995, among Cabot Safety Corporation, Cabot Canada Ltd., Cabot Safety Limited, Cabot Corporation, Cabot Safety Holdings Corporation and Cabot Safety Acquisition Corporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2(a) of Cabot Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 11, 1995, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on July 26, 1995).
10(g)*	Cabot Corporation Amended and Restated Senior Management Severance Protection Plan, dated March 9, 2012 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2012).
10(h)	Fiscal Agency Agreement dated as of September 24, 2003 among Cabot Finance B.V., Cabot Corporation, and U.S. Bank Trust National Association (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(l) of Cabot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2003, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on December 23, 2003).
10(i)	Amended and Restated Sale and Purchase Agreement dated August 24, 2011 by and among Cabot Corporation, GAM International Pty Ltd, Global Advanced Metals USA, Inc., and Global Advanced Metals Pty Ltd, (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2012).
10(j)	Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of the Entire Issue Share Capital of Norit N.V., dated July 3, 2012, by and among N. Beta S.ar.l., Cabot Corporation and Norit N.V. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on August 6, 2012).
10(k)(i)*†	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Certificate under the Cabot Corporation 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

121

Exhibit Number	Description
10(k)(ii)*†	Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Certificate under the Cabot Corporation 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
21†	Subsidiaries of Cabot Corporation.
23†	Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
31(i)†	Certification of Principal Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act.
31(ii)†	Certification of Principal Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act.
32††	Certifications of the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
101.INS†	XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH†	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL†	XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF†	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB†	XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE†	XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document.

* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

† Filed herewith.

†† Furnished herewith.

Attached as Exhibit 101 to the report are the following documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011, 2010; (ii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011; (iii) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010; (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010; and (v) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, September 30, 2012.

(c) Schedules. The Schedules have been omitted because they are not required or are not applicable, or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

122

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

CABOT CORPORATION
BY:	/S/     PATRICK M. PREVOST
	Patrick M. Prevost
	President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: November 29, 2012

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signatures	Title	Date
/S/     PATRICK M. PREVOST         Patrick M. Prevost	Director, President and Chief Executive Officer	November 29, 2012
/S/     EDUARDO E. CORDEIRO         Eduardo E. Cordeiro	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)	November 29, 2012
/S/     JAMES P. KELLY         James P. Kelly	Vice President and Controller (principal accounting officer)	November 29, 2012
/S/     JOHN F. O’BRIEN         John F. O’Brien	Director, Non-Executive Chairman of the Board	November 29, 2012
/S/     JOHN S. CLARKESON         John S. Clarkeson	Director	November 29, 2012
/S/     JUAN ENRIQUEZ-CABOT         Juan Enriquez-Cabot	Director	November 29, 2012
/S/     GAUTAM S. KAJI         Gautam S. Kaji	Director	November 29, 2012
/S/     WILLIAM C. KIRBY         William C. Kirby	Director	November 29, 2012
/S/     RODERICK C.G. MACLEOD         Roderick C.G. MacLeod	Director	November 29, 2012
/S/     HENRY F. MCCANCE         Henry F. McCance	Director	November 29, 2012
/S/     JOHN K. MCGILLICUDDY         John K. McGillicuddy	Director	November 29, 2012

123

Signatures	Title	Date
/S/     SUE H. RATAJ         Sue H. Rataj	Director	November 29, 2012
/S/     RONALDO H. SCHMITZ         Ronaldo H. Schmitz	Director	November 29, 2012
/S/     LYDIA W. THOMAS         Lydia W. Thomas	Director	November 29, 2012
/S/     MARK S. WRIGHTON         Mark S. Wrighton	Director	November 29, 2012

124

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description
3(a)	Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Cabot Corporation effective January 9, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2008, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on February 9, 2009).
3(b)	The By-laws of Cabot Corporation as amended September 9, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(b) of Cabot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2011, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on November 29, 2011).
4(a)(i)	Indenture, dated as of December 1, 1987, between Cabot Corporation and The First National Bank of Boston, Trustee (the “Indenture”) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 of Amendment No. 1 to Cabot’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration Statement No. 33-18883, filed with the SEC on December 10, 1987).
4(a)(ii)	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 17, 1992, to the Indenture (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Cabot’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration Statement No. 33-48686, filed with the SEC on June 18, 1992).
4(a)(iii)	Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 31, 1997, between Cabot Corporation and State Street Bank and Trust Company, Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 1996, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on February 14, 1997).
4(a)(iv)	Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 20, 1998, between Cabot Corporation and State Street Bank and Trust Company, Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Cabot’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 20, 1998, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on November 20, 1998).
4(a)(v)	Indenture, dated as of September 21, 2009, between Cabot Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Cabot’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 ASR, Registration Statement No. 333-162021, filed with the SEC on September 21, 2009).
4(a)(vi)	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 24, 2009, between Cabot Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Cabot’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 24, 2009, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on September 24, 2009).
4(a)(vii)	Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 12, 2012 between Cabot Corporation, as issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, including the form of Global Note attached as Annex A thereto, supplementing the Indenture dated as of September 21, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Cabot’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 9, 2012, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on July 12, 2012).
10(a)(i)	Credit Agreement, dated August 26, 2011, among Cabot Corporation, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Citibank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., and Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., and the other lenders party thereto (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2012).
10(a)(ii)	Documentation dated July 13, 2012 relating to the increase in the aggregate commitments available pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated August 26, 2011, among Cabot Corporation, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Citibank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., and Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. and the other lenders party thereto (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on August 6, 2012).

125

Exhibit Number	Description
10(b)(i)*	2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix B of Cabot’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A relating to the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on January 30, 2012).
10(b)(ii)*	Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix B of Cabot’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A relating to the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on January 30, 2006).
10(b)(iii)*	Cabot Corporation Short-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A of Cabot’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A relating to the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on January 28, 2011).
10(b)(iv)*	2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix B of Cabot’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A relating to the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on January 30, 2006).
10(c)	Note Purchase Agreement between John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee for the Cabot Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan, and Cabot Corporation, dated as of November 15, 1988 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) of Cabot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1988, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on December 29, 1988).
10(d)(i)*	Cabot Corporation Amended and Restated Supplemental Cash Balance Plan dated December 31, 2008 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2008, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on February 9, 2009).
10(d)(ii)*	Cabot Corporation Amended and Restated Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan dated December 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2008, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on February 9, 2009).
10(d)(iii)*	Cabot Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan dated January 1, 1995 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(e)(v) of Cabot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1995, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on December 29, 1995).
10(d)(iv)*	Amendment 1997-I to Cabot Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan dated June 30, 1997 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(d)(vi) of Cabot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1997, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on December 24, 1997).
10(d)(v)*	Cabot Corporation Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan dated July 13, 2007 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(d)(viii) of Cabot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2007, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on November 29, 2007).
10(d)(vi)*	Amendment No. 1 to Cabot Corporation Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan dated November 9, 2007 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2007, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on February 11, 2008).
10(d)(vii)*	Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Deferral Plan dated July 14, 2006 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2006, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on August 9, 2006).

126

Exhibit Number	Description
10(d)(viii)*	Amendment No. 1 to Cabot Corporation Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Deferral Plan dated November 9, 2007 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2007, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on February 11, 2008).
10(d)(ix)*	Amendment No. 2 to Cabot Corporation Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan dated December 31, 2008 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2008, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on February 9, 2009).
10(e)*†	Summary of Compensation for Non-Employee Directors.
10(f)	Asset Transfer Agreement, dated as of June 13, 1995, among Cabot Safety Corporation, Cabot Canada Ltd., Cabot Safety Limited, Cabot Corporation, Cabot Safety Holdings Corporation and Cabot Safety Acquisition Corporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2(a) of Cabot Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 11, 1995, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on July 26, 1995).
10(g)*	Cabot Corporation Amended and Restated Senior Management Severance Protection Plan, dated March 9, 2012 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2012).
10(h)	Fiscal Agency Agreement dated as of September 24, 2003 among Cabot Finance B.V., Cabot Corporation, and U.S. Bank Trust National Association (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(l) of Cabot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2003, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on December 23, 2003).
10(i)	Amended and Restated Sale and Purchase Agreement dated August 24, 2011 by and among Cabot Corporation, GAM International Pty Ltd, Global Advanced Metals USA, Inc., and Global Advanced Metals Pty Ltd, (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2012).
10(j)	Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of the Entire Issue Share Capital of Norit N.V., dated July 3, 2012, by and among N. Beta S.ar.l., Cabot Corporation and Norit N.V. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Cabot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012, file reference 1-5667, filed with the SEC on August 6, 2012).
10(k)(i)*†	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Certificate under the Cabot Corporation 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
10(k)(ii)*†	Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Certificate under the Cabot Corporation 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
21†	Subsidiaries of Cabot Corporation.
23†	Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
31(i)†	Certification of Principal Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act.
31(ii)†	Certification of Principal Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act.

127

Exhibit Number	Description
32††	Certifications of the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
101.INS†	XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH†	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL†	XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF†	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB†	XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE†	XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document.

* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

† Filed herewith.

†† Furnished herewith.

Attached as Exhibit 101 to the report are the following documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011, 2010; (ii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011; (iii) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010; (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010; and (v) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, September 30, 2012.

(c) Schedules. The Schedules have been omitted because they are not required or are not applicable, or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

128

EX-10.(E)

Exhibit 10(e)

Cabot Corporation

Summary of Compensation for Non-Employee Directors

The cash compensation payable to Cabot’s non-employee directors consists of separate annual cash retainers for serving on the Board and on each Committee on which a director serves, and an annual cash retainer for serving as non-Executive Chairman of the Board or as a Committee chair. The Governance and Nominating Committee generally reviews the competitiveness of Cabot’s director compensation practices annually. Following this review in calendar year 2011, upon the recommendation of the Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Governance Committee”), Cabot’s Board of Directors approved an increase, effective January 1, 2012, from $65,000 to $75,000 in the annual cash retainer payable to each non-employee Director for his or her service on the Board. No other changes were made in the cash compensation package at that time. With this change, the cash compensation payable for calendar year 2012 to Cabot’s non-employees directors consisted of the following payments:

• An annual retainer of $75,000 for service on the Board of Directors

• An annual retainer of $21,000 for service on the Audit Committee

• An annual retainer of $7,000 for service on each of the Compensation, Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs, or Governance and Nominating Committees

• An annual retainer of $110,000 for service as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors

• An annual retainer of $40,000 for service as Chair of the Audit Committee

• An annual retainer of $10,000 for service as Chair of the Compensation, Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs, or Governance and Nominating Committees

In addition to the cash compensation described above, under Cabot’s Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Compensation Plan (the “Directors’ Stock Plan”), each non-employee director receives shares of Cabot common stock as a portion of his or her compensation for services performed in the calendar year. The dollar value of the award, or the number of shares awarded, is set each year by the Governance Committee, and for calendar year 2012, each non-employee director received shares of Cabot common stock having, on the date of grant, a market value as close as possible to $75,000. A pro rata grant is provided to any director who joins the Board during the calendar year.

EX-10.(K)(I)

Exhibit 10(k)(i)

Cabot Corporation

2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan

Restricted Stock Unit Award Certificate

[date]

Cabot Corporation Headquarters

This Certificate evidences the grant to you by Cabot Corporation (the “Company” or “Cabot”), subject to the terms provided herein and in the 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the “2009 Plan”), of the restricted stock units set forth in the table below (such units referred to collectively as your “Award”). The principal terms of your Award are described below. Except as otherwise expressly provided, all capitalized terms used that are not defined herein shall have the same meaning as in the 2009 Plan.

Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit	RSUs
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit	PSUs
Date that Units Vest	[Date	]

General Terms of your Award.

Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit. The time-based restricted stock unit portion of your Award (the “RSUs”) gives you the conditional right to receive, without payment, subject to the vesting and other conditions set forth in this Certificate and in the 2009 Plan, (i) shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) equal in number to the number of RSUs set forth in the table above (the “Shares”), and (ii) dividend equivalents, payable in cash, when and if dividends are declared and paid on the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock, and equal in value to the dividends that would have been paid in respect of the Shares had such Shares been issued to you on [date]. Dividend equivalents will only be paid to you with respect to Shares underlying RSUs that have not vested as of the applicable Common Stock dividend record date. Any dividend equivalents payable to you will be paid through the payroll system as soon as administratively possible after the applicable Common Stock dividend payment date, subject to your continued employment through the date that such dividend equivalents are paid.

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit. The performance-based restricted stock unit portion of your Award (the “PSUs”) gives you the conditional right to receive, without payment, upon the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors determining the Company’s achievement of the performance metrics outlined in Appendix A attached to this Certificate and subject to the vesting and other conditions set forth in this Certificate and in the 2009 Plan, shares of Common Stock representing from 0% to 150% of the number of PSUs granted, with the actual number of shares to be delivered determined in accordance with the provisions of Appendix A and rounded to the nearest whole number, it being understood that the Compensation Committee has discretion to adjust the performance metrics outlined in Appendix A to account for, or to take into account in determining whether any performance metric set forth in Appendix A has been achieved, the occurrence of unanticipated events and circumstances during the performance period of this Award as the Compensation Committee deems necessary or advisable. You shall not be entitled to dividend equivalents with respect to the PSU portion of your Award.

Vesting of Your Award. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, and subject in the case of PSUs to the achievement of the performance metrics outlined in Appendix A, your Award shall vest on [date], unless it is earlier terminated or forfeited, provided you are on such date, and will have been at all times since the date of this Certificate, an employee of the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company. The conditions under which your Award may be forfeited are explained below.

Circumstances that may lead to the forfeiture of your Award. If your employment with Cabot ends for any reason before your Award vests, other than because of your death or Disability or because within two years following a Change in Control Cabot or any successor employer terminates your employment other than for Cause or you terminate your employment for Good Reason as more fully described below, you will forfeit your Award immediately. If your employment ceases because of your death or Disability, the following rules will apply:

• the RSU portion of your Award will vest;

• any portion of your PSU Award as to which at the time your employment ceases the performance criteria have been satisfied (other than the passage of time necessary for vesting) will vest; and

• any portion of your PSU Award which is conditioned upon satisfaction of performance criteria with respect to a current or future performance period that have not been satisfied at the time your employment ceases will terminate.

If your Award remains outstanding following a Change in Control (either because of assumption, substitution or otherwise as provided for in Section 7(a)(y)(i) of the 2009 Plan), and within two years following such Change in Control Cabot or any successor employer terminates your employment other than for Cause, or you terminate your employment for Good Reason, the following rules will apply:

• the RSU portion of your Award will vest;

• any portion of your PSU Award as to which at the time your employment ceases the performance criteria have been satisfied (other than the passage of time necessary for vesting) will vest; and

• any portion of your PSU Award which is conditioned upon satisfaction of performance criteria with respect to a current or future performance period that have not been satisfied at the time your employment ceases will vest as if target performance had been achieved.

For purposes of this award agreement, “Cause” means (i) your willful and continued failure to perform substantially your reasonably assigned duties with the Company or any successor entity or any of their respective Affiliates (other than any such failure resulting from your physical or mental incapacity or any such actual, alleged or anticipated failure after you issue a notice of termination for Good Reason) after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to you by the Company which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Company believes you have not substantially performed your duties; or (ii) your willfully engaging in conduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise. For purposes of this definition (i) no act, or failure to act, on your part shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by you not in good faith and without reasonable belief that your actions or omission was in the best interest of the Company and (ii) your good faith errors in judgment shall not constitute Cause or be considered in any determination of whether Cause exists.

For purposes of this award agreement, “Good Reason” means the occurrence after a Change in Control, without your prior written consent, of any of the following events or conditions:

(a) a change in your status, title, position or responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities) which represents a material adverse change from your status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior thereto; the assignment to you of any duties or responsibilities which are materially inconsistent with your status, title, position or responsibilities; or your removal from or the failure to reappoint or reelect you to any of such offices or positions, except in connection with the termination of your employment for Disability, Cause, as a result of your death or by you other than for Good Reason;

(b) a reduction in the rate of your annual base salary or target annual cash bonus, or a material reduction in your total compensation;

2

(c) the relocation of the offices at which you are principally employed to a location more than twenty-five (25) miles from the location of such office immediately prior to the Change in Control, or the Company’s requiring you to be based at a location more than twenty-five (25) miles from such office, except to the extent you were not previously assigned to a principal location and except for required travel on the Company’s business to an extent substantially consistent with your business travel obligations at the time of the Change in Control;

(d) the failure by the Company to pay to you any portion of your then current base salary or annual cash bonus or any other compensation, or to pay to you any portion of an installment of deferred compensation under any deferred compensation program of the Company in which you participated, in each case, within fourteen (14) days of the date such compensation is due and payable in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreement or plan or applicable law; or

(e) any material reduction in the retirement or welfare benefits or other material benefit or compensation plan made available to you or any materially adverse change in the terms on which those benefits are made available.

In order for a termination for Good Reason to be effective, you must (a) provide notice to the Company specifying in reasonable detail the condition giving rise to the Good Reason no later than the one-hundred and eightieth (180th) day following the occurrence of that condition; (b) provide the Company a period of thirty (30) days to remedy the condition; and (c) terminate your employment for Good Reason within sixty (60) days following the expiration of the Company’s period to remedy if the Company fails to remedy the condition.

Delivery of Shares. The Company shall, as soon as practicable upon the vesting of your Award (but in no event later than March 15 of the year following the year such Award vests) deliver the shares with respect to such vested Award to you (or, in the event of your death, to the person to whom the Award has passed by will or the laws of descent and distribution). No shares will be issued pursuant to this Award unless and until all legal requirements applicable to the issuance or transfer of such shares have been complied with to the satisfaction of the Administrator and you have made arrangements to pay to Cabot any applicable withholding taxes due upon the vesting of your Award.

Rights as a Shareholder; Dividends. The Award shall not be interpreted to bestow upon you any equity interest or ownership in the Company or any Affiliate prior to the date on which the Company delivers shares to you. You are not entitled to vote any shares by reason of the granting of this Award. You shall have the rights of a shareholder only as to those shares, if any, that are actually delivered under this Award at the time such shares are delivered. You will be entitled to receive dividend equivalents as provided for in this Certificate.

Certain Tax Matters. The general tax consequences of the Award are described in the Supplementary Tax Summary attached to this Certificate. You are responsible, however, for seeking advice from your own tax and financial advisors with respect to the consequences of the Award to the extent you require or desire such advice.

You must pay to Cabot any applicable withholding taxes due upon the vesting and/or settlement of your Award. Unless you instruct the Corporate Compensation Department otherwise, to satisfy federal, state and local withholding requirements arising in connection with the vesting and/or settlement of this Award, Cabot will automatically withhold shares of stock from the shares otherwise deliverable to you, up to the greatest number of whole shares with an aggregate fair market value not exceeding the minimum required withholding applicable to the amount so vesting. If you wish to increase your tax withholding with respect to taxes due upon the vesting and/or settlement of this Award or satisfy your withholding requirements with a cash payment to Cabot, you must notify the Corporate Compensation Department at least 10 calendar days before the date the Award is scheduled to vest. The Corporate Compensation Department will provide you with an election form at your request and any notification will need to be made using such form.

3

Nontransferability. Neither this Award nor any rights with respect thereto may be sold, assigned, transferred (other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution), pledged or otherwise encumbered, except as the Administrator may otherwise determine.

Effect on Employment Rights. This Award shall not confer upon you any right to continue as an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates and shall not affect in any way the right of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company to terminate your employment at any time. Further, any benefits you receive from the grant or vesting of your Award shall not be considered a component of your salary for any purpose, including, without limitation, any salary-related calculations for holiday, sick pay, termination payments, overtime or similar payments.

Provisions of the 2009 Plan. The terms specified in this Certificate are governed by the terms of the 2009 Plan, a copy of which has been provided to you. Information about the 2009 Plan is also included in the Prospectus for the 2009 Plan, a copy of which has also been provided to you. The Compensation Committee of Cabot’s Board of Directors has the exclusive authority to interpret the 2009 Plan and this Award, including whether and to what extent the performance metrics outlined in Appendix A have been achieved. Any interpretation of the Award by the Committee and any decision made by it with respect to the Award are final and binding on all persons. To the extent there is a conflict between the terms of this Certificate, the 2009 Plan or any employment agreement between you and Cabot or any of its subsidiaries, the 2009 Plan shall govern.

Recoupment Policy. This Award is subject to the terms of the Company’s Recoupment Policy as in effect at the time of this Award.

Amendments. No amendment of any provision of this Certificate (other than an adjustment in the performance metrics set forth in Appendix A made in accordance with the terms herein, which shall not be deemed an amendment of this Certificate) shall be valid unless the same shall be in writing.

Governing Law. This Certificate shall be governed and construed by and determined in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

By signing below, you hereby accept your Award subject to the terms set forth herein and in the 2009 Plan, and expressly consent to the transfer to and use of your personal data by the Company or service providers of the Company or other third parties for the specific purposes of the 2009 Plan, even if the recipients of the data are located in countries that do not have data protection laws equivalent to those in force in your country. In addition, you understand that this Award is discretionary, and that eligibility for an award under the 2009 Plan is established at the time awards are made. Therefore, your receiving this Award does not mean that you are guaranteed an award in the future.

Agreed and Accepted:
By
	Print Name:

Kindly sign, date and return this certificate to Cabot Corporation, Attention:             , Compensation Department by hand delivery or mail, to 157 Concord Road, Billerica, MA 01821; or by fax to the HR Confidential Fax:             .

4

EX-10.(K)(II)

Exhibit 10(k)(ii)

CABOT CORPORATION

2009 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

Stock Option Award Certificate

[Date]

Name

Location Name

This Certificate evidences the grant to you by Cabot Corporation (the “Company” or “Cabot”), subject to the terms provided herein and in the 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the “2009 Plan”), of stock options to purchase the number of shares of common stock of Cabot set forth in the table below (such stock options referred to as your “Award”). The principal terms of your Award are described below. Except as otherwise expressly provided, all capitalized terms used that are not defined herein shall have the same meaning as in the 2009 Plan.

Non-Qualified Stock Option	[Option Award]
Grant Date	[Date]
Exercise Price (Per Share)	[Exercise price]
Dates that Stock Option Vests and Becomes Exercisable	[Vesting dates]
Expiration Date	[Expiration date]

General Terms of your Stock Option. Your stock option gives you the right to purchase shares of common stock of Cabot at the per share exercise price, and subject to the vesting provisions, set forth above. This stock option is not intended to constitute an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended.

Vesting and Duration of your Stock Option. As indicated in the table above, a portion of your Award will vest, and become exercisable, on the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant. After your stock option vests, unless it is earlier terminated or forfeited, it is generally exercisable, in whole or in part, at any time prior to its expiration date. Your stock option has a ten-year term. The conditions under which your Award may be forfeited are explained below. The exercise of your stock option may involve the sale of Cabot stock, and accordingly, there may be limitations on when you can exercise your stock option under Cabot’s Policy on Transactions in Securities, a copy of which is being provided to you with the Prospectus for the 2009 Plan.

Circumstances that will lead to the termination of your stock option before the scheduled expiration date. If your employment with Cabot ends and you continue to hold unexercised stock options, the following rules will apply:

• Any unvested options outstanding immediately prior to the cessation of your employment will be forfeited (unless your employment terminates because of your death or Disability, or because within two years following a Change in Control Cabot or any successor employer terminates your employment other than for Cause or you terminate your employment for Good Reason as more fully described below).

• Any vested stock options outstanding immediately prior to the cessation of your employment, to the extent exercisable, will remain exercisable for three months after the date on which your employment ended or until the stated expiration date, if earlier.

• If your employment ceases because of your death or Disability, any outstanding unvested stock options will become exercisable in full upon such termination and all outstanding stock options will remain exercisable for three years following the date on which your employment ended or until the stated expiration date, if earlier.

• If your Award remains outstanding following a Change in Control (either because of assumption, substitution or otherwise as provided for in Section 7(a)(y)(i) of the 2009 Plan), and within two

years following such Change in Control Cabot or any successor employer terminates your employment other than for Cause, or you terminate your employment for Good Reason, any outstanding unvested stock options will become exercisable in full upon such termination and remain exercisable for three months following the date on which your employment ended or until the stated expiration date, if earlier.

Exercising your Stock Option. You may exercise your Award by delivering to the Company’s designated broker for stock option exercises (or to the Company in the event the Company does not have a designated broker for stock option exercises) a signed notice of exercise, in the form provided, with payment of the exercise price and any withholding taxes due upon exercise. The date the Company’s designated broker (or the Company in the event the Company does not have a designated broker for stock option exercises) receives your signed notice of exercise will be the exercise date. You may also choose to exercise your stock options in a cashless exercise through the Company’s designated broker (or your own broker if the Company does not have a designated broker for stock option exercises). A cashless exercise involves a sale of Cabot stock in the market, with the proceeds applied to the stock option exercise price and any withholding taxes due. In a cashless exercise transaction, the exercise will be deemed to have occurred when the shares are sold by the broker.

Payment of the Exercise Price. You may pay for the shares you are purchasing upon the exercise of your stock option in the following ways:

• your personal check, bank check or draft, a money order payable to the order of Cabot or by wire transfer of funds;

• a check, payable to the order of the Company from the Company’s designated broker, or in the event the Company does not have a designated broker for stock option exercises, your own broker;

• by delivery to the Company of shares of Cabot common stock held by you for at least six months having a market value (at the close of business on the last business day preceding the date on which your completed and signed notice of exercise is sent or hand delivered to Cabot) equal in amount to the exercise price of the option being exercised, provided that (a) this method of payment is then permitted by applicable law and (b) the shares used to pay the exercise price are not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirement (a stock swap); or

• by any combination of the above permitted forms of payment.

For purposes of this award agreement, “Cause” means (i) your willful and continued failure to perform substantially your reasonably assigned duties with the Company or any successor entity or any of their respective Affiliates (other than any such failure resulting from your physical or mental incapacity or any such actual, alleged or anticipated failure after you issue a notice of termination for Good Reason) after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to you by the Company which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Company believes you have not substantially performed your duties; or (ii) your willfully engaging in conduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise. For purposes of this definition (i) no act, or failure to act, on your part shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by you not in good faith and without reasonable belief that your actions or omission was in the best interest of the Company and (ii) your good faith errors in judgment shall not constitute Cause or be considered in any determination of whether Cause exists.

For purposes of this award agreement, “Good Reason” means the occurrence after a Change in Control, without your prior written consent, of any of the following events or conditions:

(a) a change in your status, title, position or responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities) which represents a material adverse change from your status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior thereto; the assignment to you of any duties or responsibilities which are materially

inconsistent with your status, title, position or responsibilities; or your removal from or the failure to reappoint or reelect you to any of such offices or positions, except in connection with the termination of your employment for Disability, Cause, as a result of your death or by you other than for Good Reason;

(b) a reduction in the rate of your annual base salary or target annual cash bonus, or a material reduction in your total compensation;

(c) the relocation of the offices at which you are principally employed to a location more than twenty-five (25) miles from the location of such office immediately prior to the Change in Control, or the Company’s requiring you to be based at a location more than twenty-five (25) miles from such office, except to the extent you were not previously assigned to a principal location and except for required travel on the Company’s business to an extent substantially consistent with your business travel obligations at the time of the Change in Control;

(d) the failure by the Company to pay to you any portion of your then current base salary or annual cash bonus or any other compensation, or to pay to you any portion of an installment of deferred compensation under any deferred compensation program of the Company in which you participated, in each case, within fourteen (14) days of the date such compensation is due and payable in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreement or plan or applicable law; or

(e) any material reduction in the retirement or welfare benefits or other material benefit or compensation plan made available to you or any materially adverse change in the terms on which those benefits are made available.

In order for a termination for Good Reason to be effective, you must (a) provide notice to the Company specifying in reasonable detail the condition giving rise to the Good Reason no later than the one-hundred and eightieth (180th) day following the occurrence of that condition; (b) provide the Company a period of thirty (30) days to remedy the condition; and (c) terminate your employment for Good Reason within sixty (60) days following the expiration of the Company’s period to remedy if the Company fails to remedy the condition.

A cashless exercise involves the sale of Cabot stock in the market, and, therefore, must be completed in accordance with Cabot’s Policy on Transactions in Securities. Please review the restrictions on trading contained in the Policy before making arrangements for a cashless exercise. Please note that the trading restrictions in Cabot’s Policy on Transactions in Securities do not apply to transactions with the Company, such as the exercise of a stock option with your own funds or the surrender of shares in payment of the exercise price or in satisfaction of any tax withholding obligations, provided you do not sell the shares acquired while in possession of material nonpublic information or, if applicable to you, during a corporate blackout period.

Tax consequences of your Stock Option. The tax consequences of your Award are described in the Tax Information attached to this Certificate. If you are an employee in the U.S., withholding taxes will be deducted from the proceeds of your option exercise transaction unless other payment arrangements have been made. If you are a non-U.S. employee, the details of your options exercise transaction will be reported to your local Human Resources/Payroll office and funds may either be withheld from payroll or paid by you to satisfy any withholding obligation you may have.

Effect on Employment Rights; Rights as a Stockholder. This Award does not confer upon you any right to continue as an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates and shall not affect in any way the right of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company to terminate your employment at any time. Further, you have no rights as a stockholder with respect to the shares subject to this option until the proper exercise of the option and the issuance of the shares with respect to which the option has been exercised.

Provisions of the 2009 Plan. The terms specified in this Certificate are governed by the terms of the 2009 Plan, a copy of which has been provided to you. Information about the 2009 Plan is also included in

the Prospectus for the 2009 Plan, a copy of which has also been provided to you. The Compensation Committee of Cabot’s Board of Directors has the exclusive authority to interpret the 2009 Plan and this Award. Any interpretation of the Award by the Committee and any decision made by it with respect to the Award are final and binding on all persons. To the extent there is a conflict between the terms of this Certificate and the 2009 Plan or any employment agreement between you and Cabot or any of its subsidiaries, the 2009 Plan shall govern.

Recoupment Policy. This Award and the shares issued to you upon any exercise of the Award are subject to the terms of the Company’s Recoupment Policy as in effect at the time of this Award.

Additional Information. If you have any questions regarding your stock option or the exercise process, please contact HR Shared Services, 157 Concord Road, Billerica, MA 01821; Telephone (978-671-4139); HR Confidential Fax:             .

Governing Law. This Certificate shall be governed and construed by and determined in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

By signing below, you hereby accept your Award subject to the terms set forth herein and the related Tax Information, the 2009 Plan, the Prospectus for the 2009 Plan, and the other materials and documents provided to you in connection with the Award, and expressly consent to the transfer to and use of your personal data by the Company or service providers of the Company or other third parties for the specific purposes of the 2009 Plan, even if the recipients of the data are located in countries that do not have data protection laws equivalent to those in force in your country. In addition, you understand that this Award is discretionary, and that eligibility for an award under the 2009 Plan is established at the time awards are made. Therefore, your receiving this Award does not mean that you are guaranteed an award in the future.

Kindly sign, date and return this Certificate to Cabot Corporation, Attention:                     , Compensation Department by hand delivery or mail, to 157 Concord Road, Billerica, MA 01821; or by fax to the HR Confidential Fax:             .

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this stock option to be executed by its duly authorized officer.

CABOT CORPORATION

By:

Name:

Title:

Name:

Date:

EX-21

Exhibit 21

Subsidiaries of Cabot Corporation

Subsidiary	State/Jurisdiction of Incorporation
Cabot Argentina S.A.I.C.	Argentina
Cabot Specialty Fluids S.A.	Argentina
Cabot Australasia Pty. Ltd.	Australia
Cabot Australasia Investments Pty. Ltd.	Australia
Cabot Plastics Belgium S.A.	Belgium
Specialty Chemicals Coordination Center, S.A.	Belgium
Cabot Performance Materials Belgium	Belgium
N.V. Norit Belgium	Belgium
Cabot (Bermuda) Ltd.	Bermuda
Cabot Brasil Industria e Comércio Ltda.	Brazil
Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada Ltd.	Manitoba, Canada
Coltan Mines Limited	Manitoba, Canada
Cabot Finance N.B. LP	New Brunswick, Canada
Cabot Canada Ltd.	Ontario, Canada
Norit Canada Inc.	Canada
Cabot Plastics Hong Kong Limited	China
Shanghai Cabot Chemical Company Ltd.	China
Cabot Trading (Shanghai) Company Ltd.	China
Cabot (China) Limited	China
Cabot Bluestar Chemical (Jiangxi) Co., Ltd.	China
Cabot Chemical (Tianjin) Co., Ltd.	China
Cabot Performance Products (Tianjin) Co., Ltd.	China
Cabot Risun Chemical (Xingtai) Co., Ltd.	China
Norit China Limited	China
Cabot Colombiana S.A.	Colombia
CS Cabot spol, s.r.o.	Czech Republic
Cabot Czech Holding Company s.r.o.	Czech Republic
Cabot France S.A.S.	France
Cabot Carbone S.A.S.	France
Cabot Europa G.I.E.	France
Norit (France) S.a.r.l.	France

Subsidiary	State/Jurisdiction of Incorporation
Cabot GmbH	Germany
Cabot Holdings I GmbH	Germany
Cabot Holdings II GmbH	Germany
Cabot Aerogel GmbH	Germany
Norit Deutschland GmbH	Germany
Cabot India Limited	India
P.T. Cabot Indonesia	Indonesia
Cabot Italiana S.p.A.	Italy
Cabot Performance Materials Italy S.r.l	Italy
Norit Italia S.p.A.	Italy
Aizu Holdings K.K.	Japan
Cabot Asia Kumiai	Japan
Cabot Japan K.K.	Japan
Cabot Supermetals K.K.	Japan
Norit Japan Ltd.	Japan
Cabot Korea Y.H.	Korea
Cabot Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l.	Luxembourg
Cabot Luxembourg Investments S.a.r.l.	Luxembourg
Cabot Luxembourg Finance S.a.r.l.	Luxembourg
Cabot Asia Sdn. Bhd.	Malaysia
Cabot Elastomer Composites Sdn Bhd.	Malaysia
Cabot Materials Research Sdn Bhd.	Malaysia
Cabot Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.	Malaysia
CMHC, Inc.	Mauritius
Cabot Specialty Fluids (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.	Singapore
Norit Singapore Pte. Ltd.	Singapore
Cabot Specialty Fluids Mexico S. de R. L. de C.V.	Mexico
Cabot S.A.	Spain
Cabot International GmbH	Switzerland
Cabot Switzerland GmbH	Switzerland
Cabot B.V.	The Netherlands
Cabot Finance B.V.	The Netherlands
Cabot Activated Carbon B.V.	The Netherlands

Subsidiary	State/Jurisdiction of Incorporation
Norit N.V.	The Netherlands
Norit Activated Carbon B.V.	The Netherlands
Norit Holding B.V.	The Netherlands
Norit International N.V.	The Netherlands
N International B.V.	The Netherlands
Tironex B.V.	The Netherlands
Norit Real Estate B.V.	The Netherlands
Norit Vastgoed B.V.	The Netherlands
Norit EAPA Holding B.V.	The Netherlands
Norit Nederland B.V.	The Netherlands
Black Rose Investments Limited	British Virgin Islands
Dragón Verde Investments Limited	British Virgin Islands
AHB Investments Limited	British Virgin Islands
HDF Investments Limited	British Virgin Islands
Ramaai Holdings Limited	British Virgin Islands
Cabot Performance Products FZE	Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Botsel Limited	United Kingdom (England)
Cabot Carbon Limited	United Kingdom (England)
Cabot G.B. Limited	United Kingdom (England)
Cabot Plastics Limited	United Kingdom (England)
Cabot U.K. Limited	United Kingdom (England)
Cabot UK Holdings Limited	United Kingdom (England)
Cabot UK Holdings II Limited	United Kingdom (England)
Cabot UK Holdings III Limited	United Kingdom (England)
Cabot Performance Materials UK Limited	United Kingdom (England)
Cabot Specialty Fluids Limited	United Kingdom (Scotland)
Cabot Specialty Fluids North Sea Limited	United Kingdom (Scotland)
Norit (UK) Holding Limited	United Kingdom (England)
Norit (UK) Limited	United Kingdom (England)
Purton Carbons Ltd.	United Kingdom (England)
Anglo Dutch Water Carbons Ltd.	United Kingdom (England)
Cabot Activated Carbon Holdings UK Limited	United Kingdom (England)
Cabot Activated Carbon UK Limited	United Kingdom (England)
BCB Company	Delaware, United States
Cabot Asia Investment Corporation	Delaware, United States

Subsidiary	State/Jurisdiction of Incorporation
Cabot Ceramics, Inc.	Delaware, United States
Cabot Corporation Foundation, Inc.	Massachusetts, United States
Cabot CSC Corporation	Delaware, United States
Cabot Europe Limited	Delaware, United States
Cabot Holdings LLC	Delaware, United States
Cabot Insurance Co. Ltd. (Vermont)	Vermont, United States
Cabot International Limited	Delaware, United States
Cabot International Capital Corporation	Delaware, United States
Cabot International Services Corporation	Massachusetts, United States
Cabot Specialty Chemicals, Inc.	Delaware, United States
Cabot Specialty Fluids, Inc.	Delaware, United States
CDE Company	Delaware, United States
Energy Transport Limited	Delaware, United States
Cabot US Finance LLC	Delaware, United States
Cabot US Investments LLC	Delaware, United States
Kawecki Chemicals, Inc.	Delaware, United States
Cabot Security Materials Inc.	Delaware, United States
Norit Americas Holding Inc.	Delaware, United States
Norit Americas Inc.	Georgia, United States
Marshall Mine LLC	Delaware, United States
Cabot Activated Carbon LLC	Delaware, United States
Representaciones 1, 2 y 3 C.A.	Venezuela
Valores Ramaai C.A.	Venezuela

EX-23

Exhibit 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-177176, 333-03683, 333-19103, 333-19099, 333-82353, 333-96879, 333-96881, 333-136484, 333-134134, 333-134133, 333-06629, 333-158991, 333-161253 and 333-181391 on Forms S-8 and Registration Statement No. 333-162021 on Form S-3 of our reports dated November 29, 2012, relating to the financial statements of Cabot Corporation, and the effectiveness of Cabot Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cabot Corporation for the year ended September 30, 2012.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

November 29, 2012

EX-31.(I)

Exhibit 31(i)

Principal Executive Officer Certification

I, Patrick M. Prevost, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Cabot Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 29, 2012	/s/    PATRICK M. PREVOST
	Patrick M. Prevost President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.(II)

Exhibit 31(ii)

Principal Financial Officer Certification

I, Eduardo E. Cordeiro, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Cabot Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 29, 2012	/s/    EDUARDO E. CORDEIRO
	Eduardo E. Cordeiro Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32

Exhibit 32

Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the filing of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012 (the “Report”) by Cabot Corporation (the “Company”), each of the undersigned hereby certifies pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to his knowledge:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13 (a) or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

November 29, 2012	/s/    PATRICK M. PREVOST
	Patrick M. Prevost President and Chief Executive Officer
November 29, 2012	/s/    EDUARDO E. CORDEIRO
	Eduardo E. Cordeiro Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities and Other Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Components of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities included in current liabilities consist of the following:

	September 30
	2012		2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Accounts payable	$	425	$	330
Accrued employee compensation		46		44
Accrued severance and restructuring		5		11
Other accrued liabilities		130		76
Total	$	606	$	461

Components of Other Long-Term Liabilities

Other long-term liabilities consist of the following:

	September 30
	2012		2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Employee benefit plan liabilities	$	190	$	161
Non-current tax liabilities		53		50
Financial instrument liabilities		26		39
Other accrued liabilities		45		49
Total	$	314	$	299

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Income Taxes (Provision (Benefit) on Income (Loss)) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Reconciliation Of Provision Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
U.S. federal and state, Current								$ (1)	$ (7)	$ (8)
U.S. federal and state, Deferred								(8)	(51)	(14)
U.S. federal and state, Total								(9)	(58)	(22)
Foreign, Current								62	57	51
Foreign, Deferred								2	7	1
Foreign, Total								64	64	52
Total U.S and foreign	$ 16	$ 23	$ 16	$ 2	$ 10	$ 9	$ (15)	$ 55	$ 6	$ 30

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Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Detail) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended										12 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2010 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2010 Notes Receivable [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Notes Receivable [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Notes Receivable [Member] CNY	Sep. 30, 2011 Notes Receivable [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 Notes Receivable [Member] CNY	Sep. 30, 2012 Norit [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Minimum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Minimum [Member] Building [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Minimum [Member] Machinery And Equipment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Minimum [Member] Other Fixed Assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Maximum [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2010 Maximum [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Maximum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Maximum [Member] Building [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Maximum [Member] Machinery And Equipment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Maximum [Member] Other Fixed Assets [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Investments in equity affiliates										20.00%						50.00%
Equity affiliate investments	$ 115	$ 60
Dividend declared	6	4	6
Useful life of property, plant and equipment											20 years	10 years	3 years				25 years	20 years	25 years
Capitalized interest	4	2	1
Amortization of intangible assets	3													1	1
Asset retirement obligation reserve	18	7							10
Other asset retirement obligation	1
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains)	2	6													1
Accounts and notes receivable, net	687	659			24	155	60	380
Charges on sale of notes receivables				$ 2										$ 1
Chance of utilizing the associated benefit for valuation allowances, maximum	50.00%

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Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Components of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

The following tables summarize the components of the basic and diluted earnings per common share computations:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(In millions, except per share amounts)
Basic EPS:
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	388		$	236		$	154
Less: Dividends and dividend equivalents to participating securities		—			1			1
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities(1)		3			2			2
Earnings allocated to common shareholders (numerator)	$	385		$	233		$	151
Weighted average common shares and participating securities outstanding		64.0			65.4			65.3
Less: Participating securities(1)		0.6			0.8			1.5
Adjusted weighted average common shares (denominator)		63.4			64.6			63.8
Per share amounts—basic:
Income from continuing operations attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	2.87		$	2.80		$	1.96
Income from discontinued operations		3.20			0.82			0.41
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	6.07		$	3.62		$	2.37
Diluted EPS:
Earnings allocated to common shareholders	$	385		$	233		$	151
Plus: Earnings allocated to participating securities		3			3			3
Less: Adjusted earnings allocated to participating securities(2)		(3	)		(3	)		(3	)
Earnings available to common shares (numerator)	$	385		$	233		$	151
Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding		63.4			64.6			63.8
Effect of dilutive securities:
Common shares issuable(3)		0.8			0.8			0.5
Adjusted weighted average common shares (denominator)		64.2			65.4			64.3
Per share amounts—diluted:
Income from continuing operations attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	2.83		$	2.77		$	1.94
Income from discontinued operations		3.16			0.80			0.41
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	5.99		$	3.57		$	2.35

⁽¹⁾  Participating securities consist of shares of unvested restricted stock, vested restricted stock awards held by employees in which Cabot has a security interest, and unvested time-based restricted stock units.

Caluclation of Undistributed Earnings

The calculation of undistributed earnings is as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	( Dollars in millions)
Calculation of undistributed earnings:
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	388	$	236	$	154
Less: Dividends declared on common stock		49		46		46
Less: Dividends and dividend equivalents to participating securities		—		1		1
Undistributed earnings	$	339	$	189	$	107
Allocation of undistributed earnings:
Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders	$	336	$	187	$	105
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		3		2		2
Undistributed earnings	$	339	$	189	$	107

⁽²⁾  Undistributed earnings are adjusted for the assumed distribution of dividends to the dilutive securities, which are described in (3) below, and then reallocated to participating securities.

⁽³⁾  Represents incremental shares of common stock from the (i) assumed exercise of stock options issued under Cabot’s equity incentive plans; (ii) assumed issuance of shares to employees pursuant to the Company’s Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan; and (iii) assumed issuance of shares for outstanding and achieved performance-based stock unit awards issued under Cabot’s equity incentive plans using the treasury stock method. For fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively, 395,532 and 253,000 incremental shares of common stock were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the inclusion of these shares would have been antidilutive. For fiscal 2010, 193,000 incremental shares of common stock were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because those shares’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of Cabot common stock for that period.

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Commitments and Contingencies (Schedule of Other Long-Term Commitments) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2013	$ 452
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2014	318
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2015	297
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2016	235
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2017	208
Payments Due Thereafter	2,888
Payments Due, Total	4,398
Reinforcement Materials [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2013	386
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2014	270
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2015	255
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2016	195
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2017	171
Payments Due Thereafter	2,609
Payments Due, Total	3,886
Performance Materials [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2013	40
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2014	33
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2015	33
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2016	32
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2017	29
Payments Due Thereafter	256
Payments Due, Total	423
Purification Solutions [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2013	21
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2014	12
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2015	8
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2016	8
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2017	8
Payments Due Thereafter	23
Payments Due, Total	80
Advanced Technologies [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2013	5
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2014	3
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2015	1
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2016
Payments Due by Fiscal Year 2017
Payments Due Thereafter
Payments Due, Total	$ 9

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Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities and Other Liabilities (Components of Other Long-Term Liabilities) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Other Long Term Liabilities [Line Items]
Employee benefit plan liabilities	$ 190	$ 161
Non-current tax liabilities	53	50
Financial instrument liabilities	26	39
Other accrued liabilities	45	49
Total	$ 314	$ 299

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Financial Information by Segment & Geographic Area (Schedule of Performance Segment) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 210	$ 186	$ 186
Performance Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	914	880	783
Specialty Carbons and Compounds [Member] | Performance Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	664	626	531
Fumed Metal Oxides Business [Member] | Performance Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 250	$ 254	$ 252

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Significant Accounting Policies (Segment Reporting Revenue Percentage) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Reinforcement Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, by segment	63.00%		65.00%	63.00%
Performance Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, by segment	28.00%		29.00%	30.00%
Advanced Technologies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, by segment	7.00%		6.00%	7.00%
Purification Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, by segment	2.00%	[1]

[1] Consists of two months of revenue for Norit, which the Company acquired on July 31, 2012.

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Promissory note fair value	$ 273

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Restructuring (Restructuring Activities and Related Reserves) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reserve balance	$ 11	$ 19
Charges	15	18	46
Costs charged against assets and other	10	(6)
Proceeds from sale	4	6
Cash paid	(14)	(26)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1)
Reserve balance	5	11	19
Severance And Employee Benefits [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reserve balance	9	18
Charges	3	8
Costs charged against assets and other		1
Cash paid	(10)	(17)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(1)
Reserve balance	2	9
Environmental Remediation [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reserve balance		1
Charges	3	3
Cash paid	(2)	(4)
Reserve balance	1
Asset Impairment And Accelerated Depreciation [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Charges	7	3
Costs charged against assets and other	7	(3)
Asset Sales [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Charges	(1)	(1)
Costs charged against assets and other	3	(4)
Proceeds from sale	4	6
Cash paid		(1)
Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reserve balance	2
Charges	3	5
Cash paid	(2)	(4)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1)	1
Reserve balance	$ 2	$ 2

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Restructuring (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Recorded Restructuring Activities

Cabot’s restructuring activities were recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Cost of sales	$	13	$	16	$	36
Selling and administrative expenses		2		2		10
Research and technical expenses		—		—		—
Total	$	15	$	18	$	46

Restructuring Activities and Related Reserves

Details of these restructuring activities and the related reserves for fiscal 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

	Severance and Employee Benefits			Environmental Remediation			Asset Impairment and Accelerated Depreciation			Asset Sales			Other			Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Reserve at September 30, 2010	$	18		$	1		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	19
Charges		8			3			3			(1	)		5			18
Costs charged against assets and other		1			—			(3	)		(4	)		—			(6	)
Proceeds from sale		—			—			—			6			—			6
Cash paid		(17	)		(4	)		—			(1	)		(4	)		(26	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(1	)		—			—			—			1			—
Reserve at September 30, 2011	$	9		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	2		$	11
Charges		3			3			7			(1	)		3			15
Costs charged against assets and other		—			—			(7	)		(3	)		—			(10	)
Proceeds from sale		—			—			—			4			—			4
Cash paid		(10	)		(2	)		—			—			(2	)		(14	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		—			—			—			—			(1	)		(1	)
Reserve at September 30, 2012	$	2		$	1		$	—		$	—		$	2		$	5

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Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Segment Reporting Revenue Percentage

The following table shows the relative size of the revenue recognized in each of the Company’s reportable segments:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
Reinforcement Materials		63	%		65	%		63	%
Performance Materials		28	%		29	%		30	%
Advanced Technologies		7	%		6	%		7	%
Purification Solutions(1)		2	%		N/A			N/A

⁽¹⁾  Consists of two months of revenue for Norit, which the Company acquired on July 31, 2012.

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Financial Instruments (Schedule of Derivatives Fair Value Interest Rate) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Eurobond (20% of $175 million) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 175
Interest Rate Swap-Fixed to Variable [Member] | Eurobond (20% of $175 million) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of debt hedged by interest rate derivatives	20.00%
Long-term debt	175
Notional amount of interest rate fair value hedge derivatives	35	35
Interest Rate Swap-Fixed to Variable [Member] | Medium Term Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate fair value hedge derivatives		$ 23

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Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Y	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Lease expiration period, years	10
Rent expense under such operating lease agreement	$ 15,000,000	$ 19,000,000	$ 21,000,000
Aggregate self-insured liability	5,000,000
Retention for medical costs per person per annum	200,000
Interest expense	46,000,000	39,000,000	40,000,000
Non-controlling Interest [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Raw materials purchases	116,000,000	134,000,000	126,000,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	13,000,000	10,000,000
Respirator Liabilities [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Annual fees paid by transferee to transferor company	400,000
Number of claimants	42,000	42,000
Respirator reserve on discounted basis	13,000,000
Respirator reserve on undiscounted basis	17,000,000
Discount rate	5.00%
Expected aggregate undiscounted amount of future payments, fiscal 2011	2,000,000
Expected aggregate undiscounted amount of future payments, fiscal 2012	2,000,000
Expected aggregate undiscounted amount of future payments, fiscal 2013	2,000,000
Expected aggregate undiscounted amount of future payments, fiscal 2014	2,000,000
Expected aggregate undiscounted amount of future payments, fiscal 2015	1,000,000
Expected aggregate undiscounted amount of future payments, fiscal 2016 through 2062	8,000,000
Cash payments for respirator reserves	2,000,000	5,000,000	2,000,000
Environmental Matters [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Reserve for environmental matters	7,000,000	6,000,000
Reserve for environmental matters included in accrued expenses	3,000,000	2,000,000
Reserve for environmental matters included in other liabilities	4,000,000	4,000,000
Charges for environmental expense	3,000,000	1,000,000	3,000,000
Cash payments for environmental reserves	2,000,000	2,000,000	1,000,000
Weighted average risk free rate for environmental liability	1.00%
Environmental Matters [Member] | Operating And Maintenance Component [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Reserve for environmental matters	4,000,000
Expected future payments, 2013	3,000,000
Expected future payments, 2014	1,000,000
Expected future payments, 2015	1,000,000
Expected future payments, 2016	1,000,000
Expected future payments, 2017	1,000,000
Expected future payments, thereafter	1,000,000
Maximum [Member] | Respirator Liabilities [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Interest expense	1,000,000
Maximum [Member] | Environmental Matters [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Interest expense	$ 1,000,000	$ 1,000,000	$ 1,000,000

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Financial Information by Segment & Geographic Area (Financial Information by Segment) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	$ 848		$ 846	$ 844	$ 762	$ 833		$ 836	$ 739	$ 694	$ 3,300	[1]	$ 3,102	[1]	$ 2,716	[1]
Depreciation and amortization											156		139		137
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	3		4	3	1	2		2	1	3	11		8		7
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes											245	[2]	203	[2]	166	[2]
Assets	4,399	[3]				3,141	[3]				4,399	[3]	3,141	[3]	2,886	[3]
Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets											622		241	[4]	107	[4]
Reinforcement Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers											2,019	[1]	1,952	[1]	1,660	[1]
Depreciation and amortization											82		80		74
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies											9		7		6
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes											227	[2]	183	[2]	139	[2]
Assets	1,527	[3]				1,509	[3]				1,527	[3]	1,509	[3]	1,277	[3]
Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets											163		126	[4]	62	[4]
Performance Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers											914	[1]	880	[1]	783	[1]
Depreciation and amortization											47		37		35
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies											1		1		1
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes											128	[2]	140	[2]	125	[2]
Assets	717	[3]				661	[3]				717	[3]	661	[3]	544	[3]
Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets											87		99	[4]	38	[4]
Advanced Technologies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers											210	[1]	186	[1]	186	[1]
Depreciation and amortization											13		14		12
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes											49	[2]	31	[2]	50	[2]
Assets	209	[3]				191	[3]				209	[3]	191	[3]	188	[3]
Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets											16		10	[4]	4	[4]
Purification Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers											61	[1]
Depreciation and amortization											8
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies											1
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes											5	[2]
Assets	1,433	[3]									1,433	[3]
Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets											350
Segment Total [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers											3,204	[1]	3,018	[1]	2,629	[1]
Depreciation and amortization											150		131		121
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies											11		8		7
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes											409	[2]	354	[2]	314	[2]
Assets	3,886	[3]				2,361	[3]				3,886	[3]	2,361	[3]	2,009	[3]
Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets											616		235	[4]	104	[4]
Unallocated and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers											96	[1],[2],[5]	84	[1],[2],[5]	87	[1],[2],[5]
Depreciation and amortization											6	[2],[5]	8	[2],[5]	16	[2],[5]
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes											(164)	[2],[5]	(151)	[2],[5]	(148)	[2],[5]
Assets	513	[2],[3],[5]				780	[2],[3],[5]				513	[2],[3],[5]	780	[2],[3],[5]	877	[2],[3],[5]
Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets											$ 6	[2],[5]	$ 6	[2],[4],[5]	$ 3	[2],[4],[5]

[1] Unallocated and other reflects royalties paid by equity affiliates, external shipping and handling fees, and the impact of the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue.

[2] Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes for Unallocated and Other includes:

[3] Unallocated and Other assets includes cash, marketable securities, cost investments, income taxes receivable, deferred taxes, headquarters' assets, and current and non-current assets held for sale.

[4] Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets include total equity and other investments (including available-for-sale securities), property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and assets held for rent.

[5] Unallocated and other includes certain items and eliminations necessary to reflect management's reporting of operating segment results. These items are reflective of the segment reporting presented to the Chief Operating Decision Maker.

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Debt and Other Obligations (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended					12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended				1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended				1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012 Y	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012 Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 5.25% Eurobond, Due 2013 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2003 5.25% Eurobond, Due 2013 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 5.25% Eurobond, Due 2013 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 5.25% Eurobond, Due 2013 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Revolving Credit Facility Expiry August 2016 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Chinese Renminbi Notes [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Chinese Renminbi Notes [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 5% Notes Due 2016 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2009 5% Notes Due 2016 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 5% Notes Due 2016 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 5% Notes Due 2016 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Jul. 31, 2012 2.55% Notes Due 2018 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 2.55% Notes Due 2018 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 2.55% Notes Due 2018 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 3.7% Notes Due 2022 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 3.7% Notes Due 2022 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Nov. 30, 1988 8.29% ESOP Note Due 2013 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 8.29% ESOP Note Due 2013 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 8.29% ESOP Note Due 2013 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 8.29% ESOP Note Due 2013 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 8.29% ESOP Note Due 2013 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 8.29% ESOP Note Due 2013 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Standby Letter Of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, committed amount											$ 750
Revolving credit facility, agreement period											Aug. 31, 2016
Interest rates are based upon LIBOR plus a spread, spread											1.125%
Debt instrument, interest rate					3.70%				5.25%		1.34%					5.00%				2.55%		3.70%					8.29%
Amount related to issuance of letter of credit, treated as drawn on facility											1
Amount drawn against revolving credit facility											189
Revolving credit facility, outstanding amount											560
Long-term debt		1,357	613		1,143	585			177	178		16	20			300	300			250		350		8	14		8	14
Debt maturity date							Sep. 01, 2013								Oct. 01, 2016				Jan. 15, 2018		Jul. 15, 2022			Dec. 31, 2013
Public notes issued	350														300			250
Issuance of notes, discount recorded	1	2	2					1							2			1
Proceeds from issuance of debt notes	347							175						296				248
Debt instrument due, year					2022				2013							2016				2018		2022					2013		2014
Unsecured medium term notes outstanding issued					53	83
Maturity of the total outstanding medium term notes, years					9 years
Weighted average interest of medium term notes					7.65%
Funds borrowed to purchase of Cabot shares		911																					75
Employer contribution to ESOP to service the debt																								5	4	4
Dividends paid to ESOP		2	2	3
Interest payments from ESOP		1	1	2
Capital lease obligations		16	15
Repayments of long-term capital lease obligations		30
Repayment period of capital lease obligation, years		28
Payment towards imputed interest		14
Original cost of capital lease assets		26	24
Accumulated depreciation of assets under capital leases		11	10
Standby letters of credit, outstanding amount																													20
Issued under the credit agreement																													1
Unsecured short term notes payable to bank		$ 62	$ 86
Weighted-average interest rate on short-term notes payable		5.20%	5.30%

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Employee Benefit Plans (Net Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Noncurrent liabilities	$ (190)	$ (161)
U.S. Pension Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Noncurrent liabilities	(46)	(44)
Foreign Pension Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Noncurrent assets	4	10
Current liabilities	(1)	(1)
Noncurrent liabilities	(69)	(48)
U. S. Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Current liabilities	(6)	(6)
Noncurrent liabilities	(58)	(58)
Foreign Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Current liabilities	(1)
Noncurrent liabilities	$ (17)	$ (15)

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Acquisition of Norit (Components and allocation of the purchase price) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012
Schedule Of Business Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Current assets	$ 207
Property, plant and equipment	385
Other non-current assets	72
Intangible assets	325
Goodwill	432
Current liabilities	(98)
Deferred non-current tax liabilities	(176)
Other non-current liabilities	(34)
Total purchase price	$ 1,113	$ 1,100

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Earnings Per Share (Calculation of Undistributed Earnings) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$ 36	$ 66	$ 240	$ 46	$ 50	$ 60	$ 51	$ 75	$ 388	$ 236	$ 154
Less: Dividends declared on common stock									49	46	46
Less: Dividends and dividend equivalents to participating securities										1	1
Undistributed earnings									339	189	107
Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders									336	187	105
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities									$ 3	$ 2	$ 2

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Fair Value Measurements (Schedule of Fair Value of Derivatives, Net of Legal Right to Offset Derivative Settlements) (Detail) (Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Guaranteed investment contract	$ 14	[1]	$ 14	[1]
Derivatives relating to interest rates	2	[2]	3	[2]
Total assets at fair value	16		17
Derivatives relating to foreign currency	28	[2]	41	[2]
Hedged long-term debt	36	[3]	61	[3]
Total liabilities at fair value	$ 64		$ 102

[1] Included in "Other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[2] Included in "Prepaid expenses and other current assets", "Other assets", "Accounts payable and accrued liabilities" or "Other liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[3] Included in "Current portion of long-term debt" and "Long-term debt" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Employee Benefit Plans (Change in Benefit Obligations and Change in Plan Assets) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$ 505		$ 300
U.S. Pension Benefits [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	147		143
Service cost	5		5		5
Interest cost	7		6		7
Loss (gain) from changes in actuarial assumptions	12		2
Benefits paid	(11)	[1]	(9)	[1]
Settlements or curtailment gain	(1)
Acquisition of Norit	36
Benefit obligation at end of year	195		147		143
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	103		104
Actual return on plan assets	23		8
Employer contribution	8
Benefits paid	(11)	[1]	(9)	[1]
Acquisition of Norit	27
Expenses paid from assets	(1)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	149		103		104
Funded status	(46)		(44)
Recognized liability	(46)	[2]	(44)	[2]
Foreign Pension Benefits [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	236		241
Service cost	7		6		5
Interest cost	11		11		11
Plan participants' contribution	1		1
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	5		1
Loss (gain) from changes in actuarial assumptions	38		(9)
Benefits paid	(11)	[1]	(16)	[1]
Settlements or curtailment gain	(4)		(1)
Acquisition of Norit	140
Other	(1)		2
Benefit obligation at end of year	422		236		241
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	197		197
Actual return on plan assets	24		2
Employer contribution	13		13
Plan participants' contribution	1		1
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	5
Benefits paid	(11)	[1]	(16)	[1]
Settlements	(5)
Acquisition of Norit	133
Expenses paid from assets	(1)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	356		197		197
Funded status	(66)		(39)
Recognized liability	(66)	[2]	(39)	[2]
U. S. Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	64		69
Service cost	1		1		1
Interest cost	2		2		3
Loss (gain) from changes in actuarial assumptions	1		(1)
Benefits paid	(5)	[1]	(5)	[1]
Plan amendments			(2)
Settlements or curtailment gain	(1)
Acquisition of Norit	2
Benefit obligation at end of year	64		64		69
Employer contribution	5		5
Benefits paid	(5)	[1]	(5)	[1]
Funded status	(64)		(64)
Recognized liability	(64)	[2]	(64)	[2]
Foreign Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	15		15
Interest cost	1		1		1
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	1
Loss (gain) from changes in actuarial assumptions	2		(1)
Benefits paid	(1)	[1]
Benefit obligation at end of year	18		15		15
Employer contribution	1
Benefits paid	(1)	[1]
Funded status	(18)		(15)
Recognized liability	$ (18)	[2]	$ (15)	[2]

[1] Included in this amount is $7 million and $2 million that the Company paid directly to the participants in its defined benefit plans in fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively.

[2] Included in this amount is $4 million of net pension liability as of September 30, 2011 related to the Supermetals Business presented as Noncurrent liabilities held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

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Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Derivative [Line Items]
Foreign currency exchange rate, remeasurement income (loss)	$ (10)	$ (2)	$ (14)
Bond held by one of Cabot's European subsidiaries	175	175	175
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on foreign currency derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	12	1	16
Currency Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on foreign currency derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	$ 10	$ 3	$ 7

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Employee Benefit Plans (Change in Benefit Obligations and Change in Plan Assets) (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Benefits Paid	$ 7	$ 2
Net pension liability		$ 4

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Carrying Amounts and Fair Values of Company's Financial Instruments) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents, Carrying Amount	$ 120	$ 286	$ 387	$ 304
GAM Promissory Notes and Inventory Note, Carrying Amount	242
Accounts and notes receivable, Carrying Amount	687	659
Derivative instruments, Carrying Amount		1
Notes payable to banks, Carrying Amount	62	86
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, Carrying Amount	606	461
Long-term debt, Carrying Amount	1,357	613
Capital lease obligations, Carrying Amount	16	15
Derivative instruments, Carrying Amount	26	39
Cash and cash equivalents, Fair Value	120	286
GAM Promissory Notes and Inventory Note, Fair Value	273
Accounts and notes receivable, Fair Value	687	659
Derivative instruments, Fair Value		1
Notes payable to banks, Fair Value	62	86
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, Fair Value	606	461
Capital lease obligations, Fair Value	16	15
Derivative instruments, Fair Value	26	39
Fixed Rate [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Amount	1,141	585
Long-term debt, Fair Value	1,221	633
Floating Rate [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Amount	200	15
Long-term debt, Fair Value	$ 200	$ 15

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Debt and Other Obligations (Schedule of Long-Term Obligations) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Variable Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Variable Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Revolving Credit Facility Expiry 2016 [Member] Variable Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 5.40% - 7.32% Chinese Renminbi Notes, due through 2016 [Member] Variable Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 5.40% - 7.32% Chinese Renminbi Notes, due through 2016 [Member] Variable Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2009 5% Notes Due 2016 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 5% Notes Due 2016 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 5% Notes Due 2016 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Jul. 31, 2012 2.55% Notes Due 2018 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 2.55% Notes Due 2018 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 3.7% Notes Due 2022 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 7.70% - 8.28% Notes Due 2012 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 7.42% Note Due 2018 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 7.42% Note Due 2018 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 8.346% - 8.47% Notes Due 2022 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 8.346% - 8.47% Notes Due 2022 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 6.57% - 7.28% Notes Due 2027 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 6.57% - 7.28% Notes Due 2027 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Dec. 31, 2003 5.25% Eurobond, Due 2013 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 5.25% Eurobond, Due 2013 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 5.25% Eurobond, Due 2013 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 8.29% ESOP Note Due 2013 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 8.29% ESOP Note Due 2013 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 8.29% ESOP Note Due 2013 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 8.29% ESOP Note Due 2013 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 6.10% - 6.65% Chinese Renminbi Notes, due 2014 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 6.10% - 6.65% Chinese Renminbi Notes, due 2014 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 2% Other Note Due 2027 [Member] Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Capital Lease Obligations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital lease obligations	$ 16		$ 15																															$ 16	$ 15
Unamortized debt discount	(2)	(1)	(2)								(2)			(1)										(1)
Total debt	1,357		613	200	15	1,143	585	189	11	15		300	300		250	350									177	178	8	14	8	14	5	5	5
Less current portion of long-term debt	(185)		(57)
Medium Term Notes						53	83										30	30	30	15	15	8	8
Total long-term debt	$ 1,172		$ 556

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Stockholders' Equity

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Stockholders' Equity

Note Q. Stockholders’ Equity

In fiscal 2007, the Board of Directors authorized Cabot to repurchase up to ten million shares of Cabot’s common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. This authorization does not have a set expiration date. During fiscal 2012 Cabot repurchased 1.1 million shares of its common stock under this authorization for an aggregate purchase price of $36 million. During fiscal 2011 Cabot repurchased 1.6 million shares of its common stock under this authorization for an aggregate purchase price of $50 million. There were no shares repurchased in fiscal 2010. As of September 30, 2012, approximately 1.6 million shares remain available for repurchase under the current authorization.

During fiscal 2012, Cabot paid cash dividends of $0.76 per share of common stock. During each of fiscal 2011 and 2010, Cabot paid cash dividends of $0.72 per share of common stock.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table illustrates the after-tax balances of the components comprising Accumulated other comprehensive income:

	September 30
	2012			2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	167		$	163
Unrealized holding gain on investments/derivatives		—			1
Change in funded status of retirement plans		(75	)		(58	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	$	92		$	106

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Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Commitments under Non-Cancelable Leases

Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable leases are as follows:

	(Dollars in millions)
2013		22
2014		17
2015		14
2016		10
2017		5
2018 and thereafter		27
Total future minimum rental commitments	$	95

Schedule of Raw Material Purchased under Long Term Purchase Agreements

Raw materials purchased under these agreements by segment for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Reinforcement Materials	$	312	$	340	$	294
Performance Materials		47		18		36
Purification Solutions(1)		4		N/A		N/A
Advanced Technologies		6		—		6
Other		1		—		—
Total	$	370	$	358	$	336

Schedule of Components of Purchase Commitments

The purchase commitments for these agreements are with various suppliers and purchases are expected to take place as follows:

	Payments Due by Fiscal Year
	2013		2014		2015		2016		2017		Thereafter		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Reinforcement Materials	$	386	$	270	$	255	$	195	$	171	$	2,609	$	3,886
Performance Materials		40		33		33		32		29		256		423
Purification Solutions		21		12		8		8		8		23		80
Advanced Technologies		5		3		1		—		—		—		9
Total	$	452	$	318	$	297	$	235	$	208	$	2,888	$	4,398

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Carrying Amounts and Fair Values of Company's Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at September 30, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

	2012				2011
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(Dollars in millions)
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	120	$	120	$	286	$	286
GAM Promissory Notes and Inventory Note		252		252		—		—
Accounts and notes receivable		687		687		659		659
Derivative instruments		—		—		1		1
Liabilities:
Notes payable to banks		62		62		86		86
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		606		606		461		461
Long-term debt—fixed rate		1,141		1,221		585		633
Long-term debt—floating rate		200		200		15		15
Capital lease obligations		16		16		15		15
Derivative instruments		26		26		39		39

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Fair Value Measurement (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Promissory note fair value	$ 273

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Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended													12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 28, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012 Restricted Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Restricted Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Restricted Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Stock Options [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Stock Options [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Stock Options [Member]	Sep. 30, 2009 Stock Options [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Non-Vested Restricted Stock Units [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Non-Vested Options [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Non-Vested Restricted Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Non-Vested Restricted Stock [Member] Maximum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Maximum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock, authorized shares	8,900,000
Percentage of exercise price equal to market price on the date of grant								100.00%
Vesting period (in years)					3 years			3 years										3 years
Percentage of vesting in first anniversary	30.00%
Percentage of vesting in second anniversary	30.00%
Percentage of vesting in third anniversary	40.00%
Expiration period, years								10 years			5 years
Stock based compensation outstanding units	56,892
Cash settled awards	$ 1	$ 1
Percentage of market price					30.00%
Net stock-based compensation expense	10	10	11
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested												14	2		1
Weighted-average period, years												1 year 2 months 12 days	9 months 18 days	10 months 24 days
Closing common stock price				$ 36.57
Intrinsic value of options exercised								9	3	1
Cash received from exercises								9	4	3
Estimated weighted average grant date fair values of options granted	$ 11.64							$ 11.64	$ 12.09	$ 7.41
Estimated weighted average grant date fair value																		$ 33.15	$ 34.76	$ 24.49
Intrinsic value of restricted stock units vested					1	27	11													0	1	1
Awards granted					0	0	0
Supplemental retirement savings plan, aggregate value of the accounts, shares																110,000	125,000
Supplemental retirement savings plan aggregate value of the accounts paid in cash																$ 1	$ 1

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Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Components of Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is summarized as follows:

	September 30
	2012			2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Land and land improvements	$	167		$	73
Buildings		495			479
Machinery and equipment		2,379			2,076
Other		226			162
Construction in progress		244			177
Total property, plant and equipment		3,511			2,967
Less: accumulated depreciation		(1,959	)		(1,931	)
Net property, plant and equipment	$	1,552		$	1,036

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Financial Information by Segment & Geographic Area (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Schedule of Performance Segment

The net sales from each of these businesses for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Specialty Carbons and Compounds	$	664	$	626	$	531
Fumed Metal Oxides		250		254		252
Total Performance Materials	$	914	$	880	$	783

Schedule of New Business Segment

The net sales from each of these businesses are as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Inkjet Colorants	$	66	$	65	$	57
Aerogel		18		24		24
Security Materials		9		11		7
Elastomer Composites		23		17		17
Specialty Fluids		94		69		81
Total Advanced Technologies	$	210	$	186	$	186

Financial Information by Segment

Financial information by segment is as follows:

	Reinforcement Materials		Performance Materials		Advanced Technologies		Purification Solutions		Segment Total		Unallocated and Other(1), (3)			Consolidated Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Years Ended September 30
2012
Revenues from external customers(2)	$	2,019	$	914	$	210	$	61	$	3,204	$	96		$	3,300
Depreciation and amortization		82		47		13		8		150		6			156
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		9		1		—		1		11		—			11
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes(3)		227		128		49		5		409		(164	)		245
Assets(4)		1,527		717		209		1,433		3,886		513			4,399
Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets(5)		163		87		16		350		616		6			622
2011
Revenues from external
customers(2)	$	1,952	$	880	$	186	$	—	$	3,018	$	84		$	3,102
Depreciation and amortization		80		37		14		—		131		8			139
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		7		1		—		—		8		—			8
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes(3)		183		140		31		—		354		(151	)		203
Assets(4)		1,509		661		191		—		2,361		780			3,141
Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets(5)		126		99		10		—		235		6			241
2010
Revenues from external customers(2)	$	1,660	$	783	$	186	$	—	$	2,629	$	87		$	2,716
Depreciation and amortization		74		35		12		—		121		16			137
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		6		1		—		—		7		—			7
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes(3)		139		125		50		—		314		(148	)		166
Assets(4)		1,277		544		188		—		2,009		877			2,886
Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets(5)		62		38		4		—		104		3			107

⁽¹⁾  Unallocated and other includes certain items and eliminations necessary to reflect management’s reporting of operating segment results. These items are reflective of the segment reporting presented to the Chief Operating Decision Maker.

⁽²⁾  Unallocated and other reflects royalties paid by equity affiliates, external shipping and handling fees, and the impact of the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue.

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Royalties paid by equity affiliates, other operating revenues, and the impact of the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue…………………………	$	11	$	(2	)	$	7
Shipping and handling fees		85		86			80
Total	$	96	$	84		$	87

⁽³⁾  Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes for Unallocated and Other includes:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Interest expense	$	(46	)	$	(39	)	$	(40	)
Certain items(a)		(51	)		(19	)		(53	)
Equity in net earnings of affiliated companies(b)		(11	)		(8	)		(7	)
Unallocated corporate costs(c)		(56	)		(53	)		(48	)
General unallocated (expense) income(d)		—			(32	)		—
Total	$	(164	)	$	(151	)	$	(148	)

^(a)  Certain items are items that management does not consider to be representative of segment results and they are, therefore, excluded from Segment EBIT. Certain items, pre-tax, for fiscal 2012 primarily include $17 million related to global restructuring activities, $26 million for acquisition related charges (consisting of $14 million of legal and professional fees disclosed in Note C, $3 million for certain other one-time integration costs and $9 million of additional charges related to acquisition accounting adjustments for the acquired inventory), $4 million for environmental and legal reserves, and a $4 million addition in the reserve for respirator claims. Certain items, pre-tax, for fiscal 2011 primarily include charges for global restructuring activities discussed in Note P. Certain items, pre-tax, for fiscal 2010 include $46 million related to global restructuring activities, $3 million for environmental reserves and legal settlements, $2 million long-lived asset impairment of land related to a former carbon black site, and a $2 million addition in the reserve for respirator claims.

^(b)  Equity in net income of affiliated companies is included in segment EBIT and is removed from Unallocated and other to reconcile to income (loss) from operations before taxes.

^(c)  Unallocated corporate costs are not controlled by the segments and primarily benefit corporate interests.

^(d)  General unallocated (expense) income consists of gains (losses) arising from foreign currency transactions, net of other foreign currency risk management activities, the impact of accounting for certain inventory on a LIFO basis, and the profit or loss related to the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue. Additionally, for fiscal 2011, this amount included a $3 million charge related to a change in the net worth tax regulations in Colombia, and $3 million related to a portion of the benefit from a legal judgment.

⁽⁴⁾  Unallocated and Other assets includes cash, marketable securities, cost investments, income taxes receivable, deferred taxes, headquarters’ assets, and current and non-current assets held for sale.

⁽⁵⁾  Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets include total equity and other investments (including available-for-sale securities), property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and assets held for rent.

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Asset Information by Geographic Area

Revenues from external customers and long-lived asset information by geographic area are summarized as follows:

	United States		Japan		China		Other Foreign Countries		Consolidated Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Years Ended September 30,
2012
Revenues from external customers	$	695	$	330	$	543	$	1,732	$	3,300
Net property, plant and equipment	$	486	$	54	$	305	$	707	$	1,552
2011
Revenues from external customers	$	589	$	307	$	554	$	1,652	$	3,102
Net property, plant and equipment	$	233	$	30	$	274	$	499	$	1,036
2010
Revenues from external customers	$	546	$	248	$	458	$	1,464	$	2,716
Net property, plant and equipment	$	227	$	41	$	203	$	504	$	975

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Goodwill Balances) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended								12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Reinforcement Materials [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Reinforcement Materials [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Performance Materials [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Performance Materials [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Performance Materials [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Advanced Technologies [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Advanced Technologies [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Purification Solutions [Member]
Goodwill And Other Intangible Asset [Line Items]
Balance at September 30, 2010	$ 40		$ 39	$ 27	$ 27	$ 11	$ 11	$ 11	$ 1	$ 2
Goodwill acquired	432	[1]									432	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other			1						1
Foreign currency translation adjustment	8			1							7
Balance at September 30, 2011	$ 480		$ 40	$ 28	$ 27	$ 11	$ 11	$ 11	$ 2	$ 2	$ 439

[1] Goodwill acquired relates to the acquisition of Norit in fiscal 2012.

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Income Taxes (Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Income Loss From Operations Before Provision Benefit For Income Taxes [Line Items]
Domestic									$ 13	$ (25)	$ 3
Foreign									232	228	163
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies	$ 36	$ 78	$ 76	$ 55	$ 47	$ 62	$ 48	$ 46	$ 245	$ 203	$ 166

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Discontinued Operations (Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Accounts and notes receivable, net of reserve for doubtful accounts	$ 41
Inventories	64
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1
Total current assets held for sale	106
Total noncurrent assets held for sale	39
Total current liabilities held for sale	12
Total noncurrent liabilities held for sale	$ 6

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Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table illustrates the after-tax balances of the components comprising Accumulated other comprehensive income:

	September 30
	2012			2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	167		$	163
Unrealized holding gain on investments/derivatives		—			1
Change in funded status of retirement plans		(75	)		(58	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	$	92		$	106

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Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Significant Accounting Policies

Note A. Significant Accounting Policies

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The significant accounting policies of Cabot Corporation (“Cabot” or “the Company”) are described below. Certain changes have been made to reportable segment information for prior years to reflect changes made in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 related to changes in the Company’s reporting segments.

On January 20, 2012, the Company completed the sale of its Supermetals Business. The applicable assets and liabilities of the business have been classified as held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2011 and the results of its operations for all periods presented are reflected as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Unless otherwise indicated, all disclosures and amounts in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements relate to the Company’s continuing operations.

On July 31, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of Norit N.V. (“Norit”). The financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Norit are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of acquisition.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cabot and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and majority-owned and controlled U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries. Additionally, Cabot considers consolidation of entities over which control is achieved through means other than voting rights, of which there were none in the periods presented. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at date of acquisition. Cabot continually assesses the liquidity of cash and cash equivalents and, as of September 30, 2012, has determined that they are readily convertible to cash.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of all carbon black inventories in the U.S. is determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. The cost of Specialty Fluids inventories is determined using the average cost method. The cost of other U.S. and all non-U.S. inventories is determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method.

Investments

The Company has investments in equity affiliates and marketable securities. As circumstances warrant, all investments are subject to periodic impairment reviews. Unless consolidation is required, investments in equity affiliates, where Cabot generally owns between 20% and 50% of the affiliate, are accounted for using the equity method. Cabot records its share of the equity affiliate’s results of operations based on its percentage of ownership of the affiliate. Dividends received from equity affiliates are a return on investment and are recorded as a reduction to the equity investment value. At September 30, 2012 and 2011, Cabot had equity affiliate investments of $115 million (including Norit’s investments) and $60 million, respectively. Dividends declared from these investments were $6 million, $5 million and $6 million in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

All investments in marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value with the corresponding unrealized holding gains or losses, net of taxes, recorded as a separate component of other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity. Unrealized losses that are determined to be other-than-temporary, based on current and expected market conditions, are recognized in earnings. The fair value of marketable securities is determined based on quoted market prices at the balance sheet dates. The cost of marketable securities sold is determined by the specific identification method. Short-term investments consist of investments in marketable securities with maturities of one year or less. The Company’s investment in marketable securities was immaterial as of both September 30, 2012 and 2011.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives. The depreciable lives for buildings, machinery and equipment, and other fixed assets are twenty to twenty-five years, ten to twenty years, and three to twenty-five years, respectively. The cost and accumulated depreciation for property, plant and equipment sold, retired, or otherwise disposed of are removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheets and resulting gains or losses are included in earnings in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expenses as incurred. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments, which significantly extend the useful lives of existing plant and equipment, are capitalized and depreciated.

Cabot capitalizes interest costs when they are part of the historical cost of acquiring and constructing certain assets that require a period of time to prepare for their intended use. During fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, Cabot capitalized $4 million, $2 million and $1 million of interest costs, respectively. These amounts will be amortized over the life of the related assets.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

The Company records tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. Amounts paid for an acquisition are allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is comprised of the purchase price of business acquisitions in excess of the fair value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired.

The Company uses assumptions and estimates in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. The determination of the fair value of intangible assets requires the use of significant judgment with regard to (i) assumptions used in the determination of fair value; and (ii) determination of their useful lives. The Company estimates the fair value of identifiable acquisition-related intangible assets principally based on projections of cash flows that will arise from these assets. The projected cash flows are discounted to determine the present value of the assets at the dates of acquisition. The Company reviews definite-lived intangible assets for impairment when indication of potential impairment exists, such as a significant reduction in cash flows associated with the assets. Actual cash flows arising from a particular intangible asset could vary from projected cash flows which could imply different carrying values from those established at the dates of acquisition and which could result in impairment of such asset. The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually and when events occur or circumstances change that may reduce the fair value of the asset below its carrying amount. Cabot’s intangible assets are primarily comprised of trademarks, customer relationships, patented and unpatented technology and other intellectual property. Finite lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Amortization expense was $3 million in fiscal 2012 and less than $1 million in both 2011 and 2010.

Goodwill is not amortized but is reviewed for impairment annually, or when events or changes in the business environment indicate that the carrying value of the reporting unit may exceed its fair value. During fiscal 2012, the Company adopted the authoritative guidance that simplifies how entities test goodwill for impairment and permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value amount and as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. Alternatively, the Company may elect to proceed directly to the two-step goodwill impairment test. If an initial qualitative assessment identifies that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, additional quantitative evaluation is performed under the two-step impairment test. If based on the quantitative evaluation the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Company performs an analysis of the fair value of all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. If the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is determined to be less than its carrying amount, an impairment is recognized for the difference.

The fair value of a reporting unit is primarily based on discounted estimated future cash flows. The assumptions used to estimate fair value include management’s best estimates of future growth rates, operating cash flows, capital expenditures, discount rates and market conditions over an estimate of the remaining operating period at the reporting unit level. If an impairment exists, a loss is recorded to write-down the value of goodwill to its implied fair value.

Assets Held for Rent

Assets held for rent represent Specialty Fluids cesium formate product that will be rented to customers in the normal course of business. Assets held for rent are stated at average cost.

Assets Held for Sale

Cabot classifies its long-lived assets as held for sale when management commits to a plan to sell the assets, the assets are ready for immediate sale in their present condition, an active program to locate buyers has been initiated, the sale of the assets is probable and expected to be completed within one year, the assets are marketed at reasonable prices in relation to their fair value and it is unlikely that significant changes will be made to the plan to sell the assets. The Company measures the value of long-lived assets held for sale at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less cost to sell.

Assets and liabilities held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2011 pertain to applicable assets and liabilities of the Supermetals Business. See Note D for additional information.

Asset Retirement Obligations

Cabot estimates incremental costs for special handling, removal and disposal of materials that may or will give rise to conditional asset retirement obligations (“ARO”) and then discounts the expected costs back to the current year using a credit adjusted risk free rate. Cabot recognizes ARO when the timing and/or settlement can be reasonably estimated. The ARO reserves were $18 million and $7 million at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In fiscal 2012, the Company assumed asset retirement obligations of $10 million in the acquisition of Norit. In addition, the Company made changes to its cash flow estimates for its other ARO resulting in an additional liability of $1 million.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Cabot’s long-lived assets primarily include property, plant and equipment, long-term investments, assets held for rent and sale and intangible assets. The carrying values of long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable and annually for indefinite-lived assets. An asset impairment is recognized when the carrying value of the asset is not recoverable based on the probability-weighted undiscounted estimated future cash flows to be generated by the asset. Cabot’s estimates reflect management’s assumptions about selling prices, production and sales volumes, costs and market conditions over an estimate of the remaining operating period. If an impairment is indicated, the asset is written down to fair value. If the asset does not have a readily determinable market value, a discounted cash flow model may be used to determine the fair value of the asset. The key inputs to the discounted cash flow would be the same as the undiscounted cash flow noted above, with the addition of the discount rate used. In circumstances when an asset does not have separate identifiable cash flows, an impairment charge is recorded when Cabot no longer intends to use the asset.

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency of the majority of Cabot’s foreign subsidiaries is the local currency in which the subsidiary operates. Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates. Income and expense items are translated at average monthly exchange rates during the year. Unrealized currency translation adjustments are included as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity.

Realized and unrealized foreign currency gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in currencies other than the subsidiary’s functional currency are reflected in earnings with the exception of (i) intercompany transactions considered to be of a long-term investment nature; and (ii) foreign currency borrowings designated as net investment hedges. Gains or losses arising from these transactions are included as a component of other comprehensive income. In fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, net foreign currency transaction losses of $2 million, losses of $6 million and gains of less than $1 million, respectively, are included in Other expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as part of continuing operations.

Financial Instruments

Cabot’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, investments, notes receivable from the sale of a business, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, short-term and long-term debt, and derivative instruments. The carrying values of Cabot’s financial instruments approximate fair value with the exception of long-term debt that has not been designated as part of a fair value hedge. The non-hedged long-term debt is recorded at amortized cost. The fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are based on quoted market prices, if such prices are available. In situations where quoted market prices are not available, the Company relies on valuation models to derive fair value. Such valuation takes into account the ability of the financial counterparty to perform.

Cabot uses derivative financial instruments primarily for purposes of hedging exposures to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, which exist as part of its on-going business operations. Cabot does not enter into derivative contracts for speculative purposes, nor does it hold or issue any derivative contracts for trading purposes. All derivatives are recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Where Cabot has a legal right to offset derivative settlements under a master netting agreement with a counterparty, derivatives with that counterparty are presented on a net basis. The changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded in either earnings or Accumulated other comprehensive income, depending on whether or not the instrument is designated as part of a hedge transaction and, if designated as part of a hedge transaction, the type of hedge transaction. The gains or losses on derivative instruments reported in Accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified to earnings in the period in which earnings are affected by the underlying hedged item. The ineffective portion of all hedges is recognized in earnings during the period in which the ineffectiveness occurs.

In accordance with Cabot’s risk management strategy, the Company may enter into certain derivative instruments that may not be designated as hedges for hedge accounting purposes. Although these derivatives are not designated as hedges, the Company believes that such instruments are closely correlated with the underlying exposure, thus managing the associated risk. The Company records in earnings the gains or losses from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges. Cash movements associated with these instruments are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as Cash Flows from Operating Activities because the derivatives are designed to mitigate risk to the Company’s cash flow from operations.

Revenue Recognition

Cabot recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Cabot generally is able to ensure that products meet customer specifications prior to shipment. If the Company is unable to determine that the product has met the specified objective criteria prior to shipment or if title has not transferred because of sales terms, the revenue is considered “unearned” and is deferred until the revenue recognition criteria are met.

Shipping and handling charges related to sales transactions are recorded as sales revenue when billed to customers or included in the sales price.

The following table shows the relative size of the revenue recognized in each of the Company’s reportable segments:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
Reinforcement Materials		63	%		65	%		63	%
Performance Materials		28	%		29	%		30	%
Advanced Technologies		7	%		6	%		7	%
Purification Solutions(1)		2	%		N/A			N/A

⁽¹⁾  Consists of two months of revenue for Norit, which the Company acquired on July 31, 2012.

Cabot derives the substantial majority of its revenues from the sale of products in Reinforcement Materials and Performance Materials. Revenue from these products is typically recognized when the product is shipped and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. The Company offers certain of its customers cash discounts and volume rebates as sales incentives. The discounts and volume rebates are recorded as a reduction in sales at the time revenue is recognized and are estimated based on historical experience and contractual obligations. Cabot periodically reviews the assumptions underlying its estimates of discounts and volume rebates and adjusts its revenues accordingly.

Revenue in Advanced Technologies, excluding the Specialty Fluids Business, is typically recognized when the product is shipped and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. Depending on the nature of the contract with the customer, a portion of the revenue may be recognized using proportional performance.

A significant portion of the revenue in the Specialty Fluids Business, included in Advanced Technologies, arises from the rental of cesium formate. This revenue is recognized throughout the rental period based on the contracted rental terms. Customers are also billed and revenue is recognized, typically at the end of the job, for cesium formate product that is not returned. The Company also generates revenues from cesium formate sold outside of a rental process and revenue is recognized upon delivery of the fluid.

Revenue in Purification Solutions is typically recognized when the product is shipped and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. For major activated carbon injection systems projects, revenue is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales consists of cost of raw and packaging materials, direct manufacturing costs, depreciation, internal transfer costs, inspection costs, inbound and outbound freight and shipping and handling costs, plant purchasing and receiving costs and other overhead expense necessary to manufacture the products.

Accounts and Notes Receivable

Trade receivables are recorded at the invoiced amount and generally do not bear interest. Trade receivables in China may at certain times be settled with the receipt of bank issued non-interest bearing notes, which represent the Company’s notes receivable balance. These notes totaled 155 million Chinese Renminbi (“RMB”) ($24 million) and 380 million RMB ($60 million) as of September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and are included in accounts and notes receivable. Cabot periodically sells a portion of the trade receivables in China at a discount and such sales are accounted for as asset sales. The Company does not have any continuing involvement with the notes after the sale. The difference between the proceeds from the sale and the carrying value of the receivables is recognized as a loss on the sale of receivables and is included in Other expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. During fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded charges of $2 million, less than $1 million and $2 million, respectively, for the sale of these receivables.

Cabot maintains allowances for doubtful accounts based on an assessment of the collectibility of specific customer accounts, the aging of accounts receivable and other economic information on both a historical and prospective basis. Customer account balances are charged against the allowance when it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. Changes in the allowance during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 were immaterial. There is no off-balance sheet credit exposure related to customer receivable balances.

Stock-based Compensation

Cabot recognizes compensation expense for stock-based awards granted to employees using the fair value method. Under the fair value recognition provisions, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the service period, which generally represents the vesting period, and includes an estimate of the awards that will be forfeited, and an estimate of what level of performance the Company will achieve for Cabot’s performance-based stock awards. Cabot calculates the fair value of its stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units is determined using the closing price of Cabot stock on the day of the grant.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses consist of salaries and fringe benefits of sales and office personnel, general office expenses and other expenses not directly related to manufacturing operations.

Research and Technical Expenses

Research and technical expenses include salaries, equipment and material expenditures, and contractor fees and are expensed as incurred.

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are determined based on the estimated future tax effects of differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that realization of those assets is considered to be more likely than not.

A valuation allowance is established for deferred taxes when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Provisions are made for the U.S. income tax liability and additional non-U.S. taxes on the undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries, except for amounts Cabot has designated to be indefinitely reinvested.

Cabot records benefits for uncertain tax positions based on an assessment of whether the position is more likely than not to be sustained by the taxing authorities. If this threshold is not met, no tax benefit of the uncertain tax position is recognized. If the threshold is met, the tax benefit that is recognized is the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. This analysis presumes the taxing authorities’ full knowledge of the positions taken and all relevant facts, but does not consider the time value of money. The Company also accrues for interest and penalties on its uncertain tax positions and includes such charges in its income tax provision in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Accumulated other comprehensive income, which is included as a component of stockholders’ equity, includes unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale marketable securities and derivative instruments, currency translation adjustments in foreign subsidiaries, translation adjustments on foreign equity securities and minimum pension liability adjustments.

Environmental Costs

Cabot accrues environmental costs when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. When a single liability amount cannot be reasonably estimated, but a range can be reasonably estimated, Cabot accrues the amount that reflects the best estimate within that range or the low end of the range if no estimate within the range is better. The amount accrued reflects Cabot’s assumptions about remediation requirements at the contaminated site, the nature of the remedy, the outcome of discussions with regulatory agencies and other potentially responsible parties at multi-party sites, and the number and financial viability of other potentially responsible parties. Cabot discounts certain of its long-term environmental liabilities to reflect the time value of money if the amount of the liability and the amount and timing of cash payments for the liability are fixed and reliably determinable. The liability will be discounted at a rate that will produce an amount at which the liability theoretically could be settled in an arm’s length transaction with a third party. This discounted rate may not exceed the risk-free rate for maturities comparable to those of the liability. Cabot does not reduce its estimated liability for possible recoveries from insurance carriers. Proceeds from insurance carriers are recorded when realized by either the receipt of cash or a contractual agreement.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

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Income Taxes (Expiration Dates of Carryforwards) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Significant Tax Attributes And Dates Of Expiration [Line Items]
NOLs	$ 840
Other Credits	73
Expiration periods	2020
2013 To 2019 [Member]
Significant Tax Attributes And Dates Of Expiration [Line Items]
NOLs	329
Other Credits	3
2020 And Thereafter [Member]
Significant Tax Attributes And Dates Of Expiration [Line Items]
NOLs	220
Other Credits	47
Indefinite Carryforward [Member]
Significant Tax Attributes And Dates Of Expiration [Line Items]
NOLs	291
Other Credits	$ 23
Minimum [Member]
Significant Tax Attributes And Dates Of Expiration [Line Items]
Expiration periods	2013
Maximum [Member]
Significant Tax Attributes And Dates Of Expiration [Line Items]
Expiration periods	2019

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Inventories (Components of Company's Inventories) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Inventories [Line Items]
Raw materials	$ 131	$ 120
Work in process	5	3
Finished goods	351	233
Other	46	37
Total	$ 533	$ 393

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Financial Information by Segment & Geographic Area (Royalties Paid by Equity Affiliates and External Shipping and Handling Fees) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total	$ 848	$ 846	$ 844	$ 762	$ 833	$ 836	$ 739	$ 694	$ 3,300	[1]	$ 3,102	[1]	$ 2,716	[1]
Unallocated and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Royalties paid by equity affiliates, other operating revenues, and the impact of the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue..............................									11		(2)		7
Shipping and handling fees									85		86		80
Total									$ 96	[1],[2],[3]	$ 84	[1],[2],[3]	$ 87	[1],[2],[3]

[1] Unallocated and other reflects royalties paid by equity affiliates, external shipping and handling fees, and the impact of the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue.

[2] Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes for Unallocated and Other includes:

[3] Unallocated and other includes certain items and eliminations necessary to reflect management's reporting of operating segment results. These items are reflective of the segment reporting presented to the Chief Operating Decision Maker.

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Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Schedule of Derivatives Fair Value Interest Rate

The following table provides details of the derivatives held as of September 30, 2012 and 2011 to manage interest rate risk.

		Notional Amount
Description	Borrowing	September 30, 2012	September 30, 2011	Hedge Designation
Interest Rate Swap—Fixed to Variable	Eurobond (20% of $175 million)	USD 35 million	USD 35 million	Fair Value
Interest Rate Swap—Fixed to Variable	Medium Term Notes	—	USD 23 million	Fair Value

Foreign Currency Risk Management

The following table provides details of the derivatives held as of September 30, 2012 and 2011 to manage foreign currency risk.

Description	Borrowing	Notional Amount		Hedge Designation
		September 30, 2012	September 30, 2011
Cross Currency Swap	Eurobond (80% of $175 million)	USD 140 million swapped to EUR 124 million	USD 140 million swapped to EUR 124 million	No designation
Cross Currency Swap	Eurobond (20% of $175 million)	USD 35 million swapped to EUR 31 million	USD 35 million swapped to EUR 31 million	No designation
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts (1)	N/A	USD 106 million	USD 54 million	No designation
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts (1)	N/A	USD 3 million	USD 12 million	Cash Flow

⁽¹⁾  Cabot’s forward foreign exchange contracts are denominated primarily in the Australian dollar, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi, Euro and Japanese yen.

Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value

The following table provides the fair value and Consolidated Balance Sheets presentations of derivative instruments by each derivative type, without regard to the legal right to offset derivative settlement by each counterparty:

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	Consolidated Balance Sheet Caption	September 30, 2012		September 30, 2011
		(Dollars in millions)
Asset Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedges Interest rate(1)	Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other liabilities	$	2	$	3
Total derivatives designated as hedges		$	2	$	3
Derivatives not designated as hedges Foreign currency	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	—	$	1
Other(2)	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1		1
Total derivatives not designated as hedges		$	1	$	2
Total Asset Derivatives		$	3	$	5
Liability Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedges Foreign currency	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	—	$	1
Total derivatives designated as hedges		$	—	$	1
Derivatives not designated as hedges Foreign currency(1)	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and Other liabilities	$	28	$	41
Other(2)	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1		1
Total derivatives not designated as hedges		$	29	$	42
Total Liability Derivatives		$	29	$	43

⁽¹⁾  Contracts of $2 million and $3 million presented on a gross basis in this table at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, have the legal right to offset against other types of contracts with a common counterparty and, therefore, are presented on a net basis in noncurrent “Other liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

⁽²⁾  Contracts in an asset and liability position presented on a gross basis in this table have the legal right of offset and, therefore, are presented on a net basis in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” and noncurrent “Other assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Concentration of Credit Risk

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Concentration of Credit Risk

Note U. Concentration of Credit Risk

Credit risk represents the loss that would be recognized if counterparties failed to completely perform as contracted. Financial instruments that subject Cabot to credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, investments, trade receivables, notes receivable from sale of business and derivatives. Cabot maintains financial instruments with major banks and financial institutions. The Company has not experienced any material credit losses related to these instruments held at these financial institutions. Furthermore, concentrations of credit risk exist for groups of customers when they have similar economic characteristics that would cause their ability to meet contractual obligations to be similarly affected by changes in economic or other conditions.

No customer individually represented 10% or more of consolidated net sales for fiscal 2012 and 2011. During fiscal 2010, The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company accounted for approximately 12% of Cabot’s annual consolidated net sales.

Tire manufacturers comprise a significant portion of Cabot’s trade receivable balance. The accounts receivable balance for these significant customers are as follows:

	September 30
	2012		2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Tire manufacturers	$	346	$	318

Cabot has not experienced significant losses in the past from these customers. Cabot monitors its exposure to customers to manage potential credit losses.

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Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies

Note T. Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Lease Commitments

Cabot leases certain transportation vehicles, warehouse facilities, office space, machinery and equipment under cancelable and non-cancelable operating leases, most of which expire within ten years and may be renewed by Cabot. Escalation clauses, lease payments dependent on existing rates/ indices and other lease concessions are included in the minimum lease payments and such lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease term. Rent expense under such arrangements for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 totaled $15 million, $19 million and $21 million, respectively. Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable leases are as follows:

	(Dollars in millions)
2013		22
2014		17
2015		14
2016		10
2017		5
2018 and thereafter		27
Total future minimum rental commitments	$	95

Other Long-Term Commitments

Cabot has entered into long-term purchase agreements primarily for the purchase of raw materials. Under certain of these agreements, the quantity of material being purchased is fixed, but the price paid changes as market prices change. Raw materials purchased under these agreements by segment for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Reinforcement Materials	$	312	$	340	$	294
Performance Materials		47		18		36
Purification Solutions(1)		4		N/A		N/A
Advanced Technologies		6		—		6
Other		1		—		—
Total	$	370	$	358	$	336

⁽¹⁾  The year ended September 30, 2012 includes two months of purchases for Norit.

Included in the table above are raw materials purchases from noncontrolling shareholders of consolidated subsidiaries. These purchases were $116 million, $134 million and $126 million during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities owed to noncontrolling shareholders as of September 30, 2012 and 2011, were $13 million and $10 million, respectively.

The purchase commitments for these agreements are with various suppliers and purchases are expected to take place as follows:

	Payments Due by Fiscal Year
	2013		2014		2015		2016		2017		Thereafter		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Reinforcement Materials	$	386	$	270	$	255	$	195	$	171	$	2,609	$	3,886
Performance Materials		40		33		33		32		29		256		423
Purification Solutions		21		12		8		8		8		23		80
Advanced Technologies		5		3		1		—		—		—		9
Total	$	452	$	318	$	297	$	235	$	208	$	2,888	$	4,398

The dollar value of these commitments has been estimated using current market prices. As noted above, these will fluctuate based on time of purchase.

Guarantee Agreements

Cabot has provided certain indemnities pursuant to which it may be required to make payments to an indemnified party in connection with certain transactions and agreements. In connection with certain acquisitions and divestitures, Cabot has provided routine indemnities with respect to such matters as environmental, tax, insurance, product and employee liabilities. In connection with various other agreements, including service and supply agreements, Cabot has provided indemnities for certain contingencies and routine warranties. Cabot is unable to estimate the maximum potential liability for these types of indemnities as a maximum obligation is not explicitly stated in most cases and the amounts, if any, are dependent upon the outcome of future contingent events, the nature and likelihood of which cannot be reasonably estimated. The duration of the indemnities vary, and in many cases are indefinite. Cabot has not recorded any liability for these indemnities in the consolidated financial statements, except as otherwise disclosed.

Self-Insurance and Retention for Certain Contingencies

The Company is partially self-insured for certain third-party liabilities globally, as well as workers’ compensation and employee medical benefits in the United States. The third-party and workers’ compensation liabilities are managed through a wholly-owned insurance captive and the related liabilities are included in the consolidated financial statements. The employee medical obligations are managed by a third-party provider and the related liabilities are included in the consolidated financial statements. To limit Cabot’s potential liabilities for these risks, however, the Company purchases insurance from third-parties that provides individual and aggregate stop-loss protection. The aggregate self-insured liability in fiscal 2012 for combined U.S. third-party liabilities and U.S. workers’ compensation was $5 million, and the retention for medical costs in the United States is at most $200,000 per person per annum.

Contingencies

Cabot is a defendant, or potentially responsible party, in various lawsuits and environmental proceedings wherein substantial amounts are claimed or at issue.

Environmental Matters

As of September 30, 2012 and 2011, Cabot had $7 million and $6 million, respectively, reserved for environmental matters primarily related to divested businesses. In fiscal 2012 and 2011, there was $3 million and $2 million in accrued liabilities and $4 million and $4 million in other liabilities, respectively, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for environmental matters. These amounts represent Cabot’s best estimates of its share of costs likely to be incurred at those sites where costs are reasonably estimable based on its analysis of the extent of clean up required, alternative clean up methods available, abilities of other responsible parties to contribute and its interpretation of laws and regulations applicable to each site. Cabot reviews the adequacy of this reserve as circumstances change at individual sites. Charges for environmental expense were $3 million, $1 million, and $3 million in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Cash payments were $2 million, $2 million and $1 million during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to these environmental matters.

The operation and maintenance component of the $7 million reserve for environmental matters was $4 million. Cabot expects to make payments of $3 million in fiscal 2013, $1 million in each of fiscal 2014 through fiscal 2016, less than $1 million in 2017 and a total of $1 million thereafter.

When deemed appropriate, the Company discounts its liability for environmental matters. A weighted average risk free rate of 1% was used for the environmental liability at September 30, 2012. The book value of the liabilities will be accreted up to the undiscounted liability value through interest expense over the expected cash flow period. The accreted interest expense was less than $1 million for each of fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010.

In June 2009, Cabot received an information request from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) regarding Cabot’s carbon black manufacturing facility in Pampa, Texas. The information request relates to the Pampa facility’s compliance with certain regulatory and permitting requirements under the Clean Air Act, including the New Source Review (“NSR”) construction permitting requirements. EPA has indicated that this information request is part of an EPA national initiative focused on the U.S. carbon black manufacturing sector. Cabot responded to EPA’s information request in August 2009 and is in discussions with EPA. Based upon these discussions, it is anticipated that Cabot will invest significant funds for capital improvements to install technology controls at certain U.S. facilities over a number of years, and pay a civil penalty to EPA to resolve the matter. The costs for these technology control devices will likely be capital in nature and impact the Consolidated Statement of Operations over the depreciable lives of the associated assets.

Respirator Liabilities

Cabot has exposure in connection with a safety respiratory products business that a subsidiary acquired from American Optical Corporation (“AO”) in an April 1990 asset purchase transaction. The subsidiary manufactured respirators under the AO brand and disposed of that business in July 1995. In connection with its acquisition of the business, the subsidiary agreed, in certain circumstances, to assume a portion of AO’s liabilities, including costs of legal fees together with amounts paid in settlements and judgments, allocable to AO respiratory products used prior to the 1990 purchase by the Cabot subsidiary. In exchange for the subsidiary’s assumption of certain of AO’s respirator liabilities, AO agreed to provide to the subsidiary the benefits of: (i) AO’s insurance coverage for the period prior to the 1990 acquisition and (ii) a former owner’s indemnity of AO holding it harmless from any liability allocable to AO respiratory products used prior to May 1982.

Generally, these respirator liabilities involve claims for personal injury, including asbestosis, silicosis and coal worker’s pneumoconiosis, allegedly resulting from the use of respirators that are claimed to have been negligently designed or labeled. Neither Cabot, nor its past or present subsidiaries, at any time manufactured asbestos or asbestos-containing products. At no time did this respiratory product line represent a significant portion of the respirator market.

The subsidiary transferred the business to Aearo Corporation (“Aearo”) in July 1995. Cabot agreed to have the subsidiary retain certain liabilities associated with exposure to asbestos and silica while using respirators prior to the 1995 transaction so long as Aearo paid, and continues to pay, Cabot an annual fee of $400,000. Aearo can discontinue payment of the fee at any time, in which case it will assume the responsibility for and indemnify Cabot against those liabilities which Cabot’s subsidiary had agreed to retain. The Company anticipates that it will continue to receive payment of the $400,000 fee from Aearo and thereby retain these liabilities for the foreseeable future. Cabot has no liability in connection with any products manufactured by Aearo after 1995.

In addition to Cabot’s subsidiary and as described above, other parties are responsible for significant portions of the costs of respirator liabilities, leaving Cabot’s subsidiary with a portion of the liability in only some of the pending cases. These parties include Aearo, AO, AO’s insurers, and another former owner and its insurers (collectively, with the Company’s subsidiary, the “Payor Group”).

As of both September 30, 2012 and 2011, there were approximately 42,000 claimants in pending cases asserting claims against AO in connection with respiratory products. Cabot has contributed to the Payor Group’s defense and settlement costs with respect to a percentage of pending claims depending on several factors, including the period of alleged product use. In order to quantify Cabot’s estimated share of liability for pending and future respirator liability claims, Cabot has engaged, through counsel, the assistance of Hamilton, Rabinovitz & Alschuler, Inc. (“HR&A”), a leading consulting firm in the field of tort liability valuation. The methodology used by HR&A addresses the complexities surrounding Cabot’s potential liability by making assumptions about future claimants with respect to periods of asbestos, silica and coal mine dust exposure and respirator use. Using those and other assumptions, HR&A estimates the number of future asbestos, silica and coal mine dust claims that will be filed and the related costs that would be incurred in resolving both currently pending and future claims. On this basis, HR&A then estimates the net present value of the share of these liabilities that reflect Cabot’s period of direct manufacture and Cabot’s contractual obligations. Based on the HR&A estimates, Cabot has recorded on a discounted basis a $13 million reserve ($17 million on an undiscounted basis) to cover its estimated share of liability for pending and future respirator claims. The Company made payments related to its respirator liability of $2 million in fiscal 2012, $5 million in fiscal 2011 and $2 million in fiscal 2010.

The Company’s current estimate of the cost of its share of existing and future respirator liability claims is based on facts and circumstances existing at this time. Developments that could affect the Company’s estimate include, but are not limited to, (i) significant changes in the number of future claims, (ii) changes in the rate of dismissals without payment of pending silica and non-malignant asbestos claims, (iii) significant changes in the average cost of resolving claims, (iv) significant changes in the legal costs of defending these claims, (v) changes in the nature of claims received, (vi) changes in the law and procedure applicable to these claims, (vii) the financial viability of members of the Payor Group, (viii) a change in the availability of AO’s insurance coverage or the indemnity provided by AO’s former owner, (ix) changes in the allocation of costs among the Payor Group, and (x) a determination that the assumptions used to estimate the Company’s share of liability are inaccurate. The Company cannot determine the impact of these potential developments on its current estimate of its share of liability for these existing and future claims. Accordingly, the actual amount of these liabilities for existing and future claims could be different than the reserved amount.

The $13 million liability for respirator claims is recognized on a discounted basis using a discount rate of 5%, which represents management’s best estimate of the risk free rate to apply to the cash flow payments of the liability that are projected through 2065. The total expected aggregate undiscounted amount of future payments is $17 million. Cabot estimates payments of approximately $2 million, $2 million, $2 million, $2 million, and $1 million in fiscal 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively, and a total of $8 million in fiscal 2018 through 2065. The book value of the liabilities will be accreted up to the undiscounted liability value through interest expense over the expected cash flow period, which was less than $1 million in fiscal 2012. Cash payments were $2 million in fiscal 2012, $5 million in 2011 and $2 million in 2010 related to this liability. If the timing of Cabot’s actual payments made for respirator claims differs significantly from the Company’s estimated payment schedule, and the Company determines that it can no longer reasonably predict the timing of such payments, Cabot then could be required to record the reserve amount on an undiscounted basis on its consolidated balance sheets, causing an immediate impact to earnings.

Other

The Company has various other lawsuits, claims and contingent liabilities arising in the ordinary course of its business and with respect to the Company’s divested businesses. In the opinion of the Company, although final disposition of some or all of these other suits and claims may impact the Company’s financial statements in a particular period, they are not expected in the aggregate to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position.

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Stock-Based Compensation (Equity Incentive Plan Activity) (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options expected to vest in the future, net of estimated forfeitures, weighted average remaining contractual life, in years	8 years 3 months 18 days

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Acquisition of Norit (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2012
Schedule Of Business Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Acquisition paying	$ 1,113		$ 1,100
Acquisition costs	14
Amortized period	18 years
Fair value of the assets acquired includes trade receivables	46
Non-recurring adjustments in pro forma earnings	19
Recognized pre tax gain		33
Trademarks [Member]
Schedule Of Business Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Intangible assets	57
Customer Relationships [Member]
Schedule Of Business Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Intangible assets	119
Amortized period	20 years
Developed Technology [Member]
Schedule Of Business Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 149
Amortized period	17 years

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Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Change in Benefit Obligations and Change in Plan Assets

The following provides information about benefit obligations, plan assets, the funded status and weighted-average assumptions of the defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012						2011						2012						2011
	Pension Benefits												Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Change in Benefit Obligations:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	147		$	236		$	143		$	241		$	64		$	15		$	69		$	15
Service cost		5			7			5			6			1			—			1			—
Interest cost		7			11			6			11			2			1			2			1
Plan participants’ contribution		—			1			—			1			—			—			—			—
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		—			5			—			1			—			1			—			—
Loss (gain) from changes in actuarial assumptions		12			38			2			(9	)		1			2			(1	)		(1	)
Benefits paid(1)		(11	)		(11	)		(9	)		(16	)		(5	)		(1	)		(5	)		—
Plan amendments		—			—			—			—			—			—			(2	)		—
Settlements or curtailment gain		(1	)		(4	)		—			(1	)		(1	)		—			—			—
Acquisition of Norit		36			140			—			—			2			—			—			—
Other		—			(1	)		—			2			—			—			—			—
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	195		$	422		$	147		$	236		$	64		$	18		$	64		$	15

	Years Ended September 30
	2012						2011						2012						2011
	Pension Benefits												Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Change in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	103		$	197		$	104		$	197		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Actual return on plan assets		23			24			8			2			—			—			—			—
Employer contribution		8			13			—			13			5			1			5			—
Plan participants’ contribution		—			1			—			1			—			—			—			—
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		—			5			—			—			—			—			—			—
Benefits paid(1)		(11	)		(11	)		(9	)		(16	)		(5	)		(1	)		(5	)		—
Settlements		—			(5	)		—			—			—			—			—			—
Acquisition of Norit		27			133			—			—			—			—			—			—
Expenses paid from assets		(1	)		(1	)		—			—			—			—			—			—
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	149		$	356		$	103		$	197		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Funded status	$	(46	)	$	(66	)	$	(44	)	$	(39	)	$	(64	)	$	(18	)	$	(64	)	$	(15	)
Recognized liability(2)	$	(46	)	$	(66	)	$	(44	)	$	(39	)	$	(64	)	$	(18	)	$	(64	)	$	(15	)

⁽¹⁾  Included in this amount is $7 million and $2 million that the Company paid directly to the participants in its defined benefit plans in fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively.

⁽²⁾  Included in this amount is $4 million of net pension liability as of September 30, 2011 related to the Supermetals Business presented as Noncurrent liabilities held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations

The following assumptions were used to determine the pension benefit obligations at September 30:

	Assumptions as of September 30
	2012						2011						2010
	Pension Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
Actuarial assumptions as of the year-end measurement date:
Discount rate		3.5	%		3.6	%		4.5	%		4.8	%		4.5	%		4.4	%
Rate of increase in compensation		3.5	%		3.1	%		3.8	%		3.1	%		3.8	%		3.3	%
Actuarial assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost during the year:
Discount rate		4.5	%		4.8	%		4.5	%		4.3	%		5.3	%		5.0	%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets		7.8	%		5.3	%		7.8	%		6.1	%		7.8	%		6.1	%
Rate of increase in compensation		3.8	%		3.2	%		3.8	%		3.3	%		3.8	%		3.4	%

Post Retirement Assumptions and Strategy

The following assumptions were used to determine the post retirement benefit obligations at September 30:

	Assumptions as of September 30
	2012						2011						2010
	Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
Actuarial assumptions as of the year-end measurement date:
Discount rate		3.3	%		3.9	%		4.5	%		4.9	%		4.5	%		4.8	%
Initial health care cost trend rate		8.0	%		7.4	%		8.5	%		8.0	%		7.5	%		8.0	%
Actuarial assumptions used to determine net cost during the year:
Discount rate		4.5	%		4.9	%		4.5	%		4.8	%		5.3	%		5.2	%
Initial health care cost trend rate		8.5	%		7.9	%		7.5	%		8.0	%		8.0	%		9.0	%

Net Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets

The rates utilized are selected because they represent long-term, high quality, fixed income benchmarks that approximate the long-term nature of Cabot’s pension obligations and related payouts.

	Years Ended September 30
	2012						2011						2012						2011
	Pension Benefits												Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Net Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Noncurrent assets	$	—		$	4		$	—		$	10		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Current liabilities		—			(1	)		—			(1	)		(6	)		(1	)		(6	)		—
Noncurrent liabilities		(46	)		(69	)		(44	)		(48	)		(58	)		(17	)		(58	)		(15	)

Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income at September 30, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012				2011				2012					2011
	Pension Benefits								Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.		Foreign		U.S.		Foreign		U.S.			Foreign		U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Net actuarial loss	$	29	$	77	$	34	$	52	$	3		$	3	$	2		$	2
Net prior service cost (credit)		1		—		1		—		(10	)		—		(14	)		—
Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income, pretax	$	30	$	77	$	35	$	52	$	(7	)	$	3	$	(12	)	$	2

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

The Company expects that the following benefit payments will be made to plan participants in the years from 2013 to 2022:

	Pension Benefits				Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.		Foreign		U.S.		Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Years Ended:
2013	$	13	$	17	$	6	$	1
2014		12		17		6		1
2015		12		19		6		1
2016		13		21		5		1
2017		14		20		5		1
2018-2022		76		116		22		5

Net Periodic Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs

Net periodic defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit costs include the following components:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012						2011						2010						2012					2011					2010
	Pension Benefits																		Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign		U.S.			Foreign		U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Service cost	$	5		$	7		$	5		$	6		$	5		$	5		$	1		$	—	$	1		$	—	$	1		$	—
Interest cost		7			11			6			11			7			11			2			1		2			1		3			1
Expected return on plan assets		(9	)		(13	)		(8	)		(13	)		(9	)		(11	)		—			—		—			—		—			—
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		—			—			—			—			—			—			(3	)		—		(3	)		—		(4	)		—
Net losses (gains)		1			3			—			3			—			2			—			—		—			—		—			—
Settlements or curtailments cost (income)		1			1			—			—			—			1			(1	)		—		—			—		—			—
Other		—			—			—			2			—			—			—			—		—			—		—			—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	5		$	9		$	3		$	9		$	3		$	8		$	(1	)	$	1	$	—		$	1	$	—		$	1

Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income are as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012						2011					2010					2012				2011						2010
	Pension Benefits																Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.		Foreign			U.S.		Foreign			U.S.		Foreign		U.S.			Foreign			U.S.		Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Net losses (gains)	$	(3	)	$	27		$	2	$	1		$	5	$	12		$	1	$	1	$	(1	)	$	(1	)	$	1	$	—
Prior service cost		(1	)		—			—		—			—		—			1		—		(2	)		—			—		—
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit		—			—			—		—			—		—			3		—		4			—			4		—
Amortization of prior unrecognized loss		(1	)		(3	)		—		(3	)		—		(2	)		—		—		—			—			—		—
Other		—			1			—		—			—		1			—		—		—			—			—		—
Total other comprehensive loss (income)	$	(5	)	$	25		$	2	$	(2	)	$	5	$	11		$	5	$	1	$	1		$	(1	)	$	5	$	—

Sensitivity Analysis

A one percentage point change in the 2012 assumed health care cost trend rate would have the following effects:

	1-Percentage-Point
	Increase				Decrease
	U.S.		Foreign		U.S.		Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	$	—	$	3	$	—	$	(2	)

Defined Benefit Pension Plans Weighted-Average Asset Allocations

The Company’s defined benefit pension plans weighted-average asset allocations at September 30, 2012 and 2011, by asset category are as follows:

	Pension Assets
	September 30
	2012						2011
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
Asset Category:
Equity securities		62	%		39	%		57	%		44	%
Debt securities		38	%		56	%		43	%		50	%
Cash and other securities		—			5	%		—			6	%
Total		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%

Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets by Asset Category

The fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets at September 30, 2012 and 2011 by asset category is as follows:

	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Total
	2012						2011
Asset Category:
Cash	$	4	$	1	$	5	$	4	$	1	$	5
Direct investments:
U.S. equity securities		19		—		19		13		—		13
Non-U.S. equity securities		5		—		5		1		—		1
Non-U.S. government bonds		50		—		50		47		—		47
Non-U.S. corporate bonds		11		—		11		1		—		1
Total direct investments	$	85	$	—	$	85	$	62	$	—	$	62
Investment funds:
Equity funds(1)		97		108		205		20		86		106
Fixed income funds(2)		66		126		192		43		50		93
Real estate funds(3)		—		2		2		—		1		1
Common and collective investment trust funds(4)		—		—		—		—		24		24
Money market funds		1		—		1		1		—		1
Other		4		—		4		—		—		—
Total investment funds		168	$	236	$	404	$	64	$	161	$	225
Alternative investments:
Insurance contracts(5)		—		10		10		—		8		8
Other		—		1		1		—		—		—
Total alternative investments		—	$	11	$	11	$	—	$	8	$	8
Total pension plan assets	$	257	$	248	$	505	$	130	$	170	$	300

⁽¹⁾  The equity funds asset class includes funds that invest in U.S. equities as well as equity securities issued by companies incorporated, listed or domiciled in countries in developed and/or emerging markets. These companies may be in the small-, mid- or large-cap categories.

⁽²⁾  The fixed income funds asset class includes investments in high quality funds. High quality fixed income funds primarily invest in low risk U.S. and non-U.S. government securities, investment-grade corporate bonds, mortgages and asset-backed securities. A significant portion of the fixed income funds asset includes investment in long-term bond funds.

⁽³⁾  The real estate funds asset class includes funds that primarily invest in entities which are principally engaged in the ownership, acquisition, development, financing, sale and/or management of income-producing real estate properties, both commercial and residential. These funds typically seek long-term growth of capital and current income that is above average relative to public equity funds.

⁽⁴⁾ The investment objective of the portfolio of this common and collective investment trust is to achieve long-term, total return in excess of the MSCI World Index Benchmark by investing in equity securities of companies worldwide, emphasizing those with above-average potential for capital appreciation

⁽⁵⁾ Insurance contracts held by the Company’s non-U.S. plans are issued by well-known, highly rated insurance companies.

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Financial Information by Segment & Geographic Area

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Financial Information by Segment & Geographic Area

Note V. Financial Information by Segment & Geographic Area

Segment Information

After the sale of the Company’s Supermetals Business and acquisition of Norit, management made changes in the composition of its segments and renamed them with names that are more descriptive of the underlying businesses. With these changes, Cabot’s four business segments are: Reinforcement Materials (formerly the Core Segment); Performance Materials (formerly the Performance Segment); Advanced Technologies (the combination of the former New Business and Specialty Fluids Segments); and Purification Solutions (the newly acquired Norit business).

While the Chief Operating Decision Maker uses a number of performance measures to manage the performance of the segments and allocate resources to them, segment operating profit (loss) before interest and taxes (“Segment EBIT”) is the measure that is most consistently used and is, therefore, the measure presented for each segment in the financial information by segment table below on the line entitled Income (loss) before taxes. Segment EBIT excludes certain items, meaning items considered by management to be unusual and not representative of segment results. In addition, Segment EBIT includes Equity in net income of affiliated companies, net of tax, the full operating results of a contractual joint venture in Purification Solutions, royalties paid by equity affiliates and Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax, but exclude Interest expense, foreign currency transaction gains and losses, interest income, dividend income, unearned revenue, the effects of LIFO accounting for inventory, and unallocated general and corporate costs. Segment assets exclude cash, short-term investments, cost investments, income taxes receivable, deferred taxes and headquarters’ assets, which are included in unallocated and other. Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets include total equity and other investments (including available-for-sale securities), property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and assets held for rent.

Reinforcement Materials

Rubber blacks are used in tires and industrial products. These products have traditionally been used in the tire industry as a rubber reinforcing agent and are also used as a performance additive. In industrial products such as hoses, belts, extruded profiles and molded goods, rubber blacks are used to improve the physical performance of the product.

Performance Materials

Performance Materials is comprised of two businesses that sell the following products: specialty grades of carbon black and thermoplastic concentrates and compounds (the Specialty Carbons and Compounds Business); and fumed silica, fumed alumina and dispersions thereof (the Fumed Metal Oxides Business). The net sales from each of these businesses for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Specialty Carbons and Compounds	$	664	$	626	$	531
Fumed Metal Oxides		250		254		252
Total Performance Materials	$	914	$	880	$	783

In each business, Cabot designs, manufactures and sells materials that deliver performance in a broad range of customer applications across the automotive, construction and infrastructure, and electronics and consumer products sectors.

Cabot’s specialty grades of carbon black are used to impart color, provide rheology control, enhance conductivity and static charge control, provide UV protection, enhance mechanical properties, and provide chemical flexibility through surface treatment. These products are used in a wide variety of applications, such as inks, coatings, cables, pipes, toners and electronics. In addition, Cabot manufactures and sources thermoplastic concentrates and compounds that are marketed to the plastics industry.

Fumed silica is an ultra-fine, high-purity particle used as a reinforcing, thickening, abrasive, thixotropic, suspending or anti-caking agent in a wide variety of products produced for the automotive, construction, microelectronics, and consumer products industries. These products include adhesives, sealants, cosmetics, inks, toners, silicone rubber, coatings, polishing slurries and pharmaceuticals. Fumed alumina, also an ultra-fine, high-purity particle, is used as an abrasive, absorbent or barrier agent in a variety of products, such as inkjet media, lighting, coatings, cosmetics and polishing slurries.

Advanced Technologies

Advanced Technologies is comprised of the Inkjet Colorants, Aerogel, Security Materials, Elastomer Composites and Specialty Fluids Businesses. The net sales from each of these businesses are as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Inkjet Colorants	$	66	$	65	$	57
Aerogel		18		24		24
Security Materials		9		11		7
Elastomer Composites		23		17		17
Specialty Fluids		94		69		81
Total Advanced Technologies	$	210	$	186	$	186

The Inkjet Colorants Business produces and sells aqueous inkjet colorants primarily to the inkjet printing market. The Company’s inkjet colorants are high-quality pigment-based black and other colorant dispersions manufactured by surface treating specialty grades of carbon black and other pigments. The dispersions are used in aqueous inkjet inks to impart color (optical density or chroma) with improved durability (waterfastness, lightfastness and rub resistance) while maintaining high printhead reliability. Cabot’s inkjet colorants are produced for various inkjet printing applications including small office and home office, corporate office, and commercial printing, as well as for other niche applications that require a high level of dispersibility and colloidal stability.

Aerogel is a hydrophobic, silica-based particle with a high surface area that is used in a variety of thermal insulation and specialty chemical applications. In the construction industry, the product is used in insulative composite building products and translucent skylight, window, wall and roof systems for insulating eco-daylighting applications. In the oil and gas industry, aerogel is used to insulate subsea pipelines. In the specialty chemicals industry, the product is used to provide matte finishing, insulating and thickening properties for use in a variety of applications. The Company continues to focus on application and market development activities for use of aerogel in these and other new applications.

The principal area of commercial focus for the Security Materials Business is in developing covert taggants for a broad range of anti-counterfeiting security applications, including brand security, currency, tax stamps, identification and fuel markers. Covert taggants are invisible, unique markers that are added to products to determine their authenticity through the use of custom detectors or readers. The Company’s taggants are manufactured using a proprietary process, which produces highly uniform materials with unique signatures.

The Elastomer Composites Business has developed elastomer composite products that are compounds of natural latex rubber and carbon black made by a patented liquid phase process. The Company believes that these compounds improve abrasion/wear resistance, reduce fatigue and reduce rolling resistance compared to natural rubber/carbon black compounds made by conventional methods. These products are targeted for tire, defense, mining, automotive, and aerospace applications.

The Specialty Fluids Business principally produces and markets cesium formate as a drilling and completion fluid for use primarily in high pressure and high temperature oil and gas well construction. Cesium formate products are solids-free, high-density fluids that have a low viscosity, enabling safe and efficient well construction and workover operations. The fluid is resistant to high temperatures, minimizes damage to producing reservoirs and is readily biodegradable in accordance with testing guidelines set by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. In a majority of applications, cesium formate is blended with other formates or products. Income from continuing operations before taxes for the Specialty Fluids Business was $44 million, $22 million, and $35 million in fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

Purification Solutions

The Company’s activated carbon products are used for the purification of water, air, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals and other liquids and gases. In gas and air applications, one of the uses of activated carbon is for the removal of mercury in flue gas streams. In addition, Purification Solutions’ products are used as a catalyst or catalyst carrier; as a chemical carrier in slow release applications (such as delayed release pharmaceuticals); as either a colorant or a decolorizing agent in the production of products for food and beverage applications; and in the gold mining industry. In addition to activated carbon production and reactivation, the Company also provides activated carbon solutions through on-site equipment and services, including delivery systems for activated carbon injection in coal-fired utilities, mobile water filter units and carbon reactivation services.

Financial information by segment is as follows:

	Reinforcement Materials		Performance Materials		Advanced Technologies		Purification Solutions		Segment Total		Unallocated and Other(1), (3)			Consolidated Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Years Ended September 30
2012
Revenues from external customers(2)	$	2,019	$	914	$	210	$	61	$	3,204	$	96		$	3,300
Depreciation and amortization		82		47		13		8		150		6			156
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		9		1		—		1		11		—			11
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes(3)		227		128		49		5		409		(164	)		245
Assets(4)		1,527		717		209		1,433		3,886		513			4,399
Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets(5)		163		87		16		350		616		6			622
2011
Revenues from external
customers(2)	$	1,952	$	880	$	186	$	—	$	3,018	$	84		$	3,102
Depreciation and amortization		80		37		14		—		131		8			139
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		7		1		—		—		8		—			8
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes(3)		183		140		31		—		354		(151	)		203
Assets(4)		1,509		661		191		—		2,361		780			3,141
Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets(5)		126		99		10		—		235		6			241
2010
Revenues from external customers(2)	$	1,660	$	783	$	186	$	—	$	2,629	$	87		$	2,716
Depreciation and amortization		74		35		12		—		121		16			137
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		6		1		—		—		7		—			7
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes(3)		139		125		50		—		314		(148	)		166
Assets(4)		1,277		544		188		—		2,009		877			2,886
Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets(5)		62		38		4		—		104		3			107

⁽¹⁾  Unallocated and other includes certain items and eliminations necessary to reflect management’s reporting of operating segment results. These items are reflective of the segment reporting presented to the Chief Operating Decision Maker.

⁽²⁾  Unallocated and other reflects royalties paid by equity affiliates, external shipping and handling fees, and the impact of the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue.

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Royalties paid by equity affiliates, other operating revenues, and the impact of the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue…………………………	$	11	$	(2	)	$	7
Shipping and handling fees		85		86			80
Total	$	96	$	84		$	87

⁽³⁾  Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes for Unallocated and Other includes:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Interest expense	$	(46	)	$	(39	)	$	(40	)
Certain items(a)		(51	)		(19	)		(53	)
Equity in net earnings of affiliated companies(b)		(11	)		(8	)		(7	)
Unallocated corporate costs(c)		(56	)		(53	)		(48	)
General unallocated (expense) income(d)		—			(32	)		—
Total	$	(164	)	$	(151	)	$	(148	)

^(a)  Certain items are items that management does not consider to be representative of segment results and they are, therefore, excluded from Segment EBIT. Certain items, pre-tax, for fiscal 2012 primarily include $17 million related to global restructuring activities, $26 million for acquisition related charges (consisting of $14 million of legal and professional fees disclosed in Note C, $3 million for certain other one-time integration costs and $9 million of additional charges related to acquisition accounting adjustments for the acquired inventory), $4 million for environmental and legal reserves, and a $4 million addition in the reserve for respirator claims. Certain items, pre-tax, for fiscal 2011 primarily include charges for global restructuring activities discussed in Note P. Certain items, pre-tax, for fiscal 2010 include $46 million related to global restructuring activities, $3 million for environmental reserves and legal settlements, $2 million long-lived asset impairment of land related to a former carbon black site, and a $2 million addition in the reserve for respirator claims.

^(b)  Equity in net income of affiliated companies is included in segment EBIT and is removed from Unallocated and other to reconcile to income (loss) from operations before taxes.

^(c)  Unallocated corporate costs are not controlled by the segments and primarily benefit corporate interests.

^(d)  General unallocated (expense) income consists of gains (losses) arising from foreign currency transactions, net of other foreign currency risk management activities, the impact of accounting for certain inventory on a LIFO basis, and the profit or loss related to the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue. Additionally, for fiscal 2011, this amount included a $3 million charge related to a change in the net worth tax regulations in Colombia, and $3 million related to a portion of the benefit from a legal judgment.

⁽⁴⁾  Unallocated and Other assets includes cash, marketable securities, cost investments, income taxes receivable, deferred taxes, headquarters’ assets, and current and non-current assets held for sale.

⁽⁵⁾  Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets include total equity and other investments (including available-for-sale securities), property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and assets held for rent.

Geographic Information

Sales are attributed to the United States and to all foreign countries based on the location from which the sale originated. Revenues from external customers and long-lived assets attributable to an individual country, other than the United States, Japan and China, were not material for disclosure.

Revenues from external customers and long-lived asset information by geographic area are summarized as follows:

	United States		Japan		China		Other Foreign Countries		Consolidated Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Years Ended September 30,
2012
Revenues from external customers	$	695	$	330	$	543	$	1,732	$	3,300
Net property, plant and equipment	$	486	$	54	$	305	$	707	$	1,552
2011
Revenues from external customers	$	589	$	307	$	554	$	1,652	$	3,102
Net property, plant and equipment	$	233	$	30	$	274	$	499	$	1,036
2010
Revenues from external customers	$	546	$	248	$	458	$	1,464	$	2,716
Net property, plant and equipment	$	227	$	41	$	203	$	504	$	975

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Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information

Note W. Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information

Unaudited financial results by quarter for fiscal 2012 and 2011 are summarized below.

	Quarter Ended
	December			March			June			September			Year
	(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Fiscal 2012
Consolidated Net Income
Net sales and other operating revenues	$	762		$	844		$	846		$	848		$	3,300
Gross profit		143			173			175			157			648
Selling and administrative expenses		65			66			68			86			285
Research and technical expenses		17			20			17			19			73
Income from operations		61			87			90			52			290
Net interest expense and other charges		(6	)		(11	)		(12	)		(16	)		(45	)
Income from continuing operations before taxes		55			76			78			36			245
Provision for income taxes		(16	)		(23	)		(16	)		—			(55	)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		1			3			4			3			11
Income from operations of discontinued operations, net of tax		11			189			4			1			205
Net income		51			245			70			40			406
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax		5			5			4			4			18
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	46		$	240		$	66		$	36		$	388
Income per share - diluted:
Income from continuing operations	$	0.55		$	0.78		$	0.96		$	0.54		$	2.83
Income from discontinued operations		0.16			2.92			0.06			0.02			3.16
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	0.71		$	3.70		$	1.02		$	0.56		$	5.99

	Quarter Ended
	December			March			June			September			Year
	(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Fiscal 2011
Consolidated Net Income
Net sales and other operating revenues	$	694		$	739		$	836		$	833		$	3,102
Gross profit		131			134			152			141			558
Selling and administrative expenses		63			62			61			63			249
Research and technical expenses		15			18			16			17			66
Income from operations		53			54			75			61			243
Net interest expense and other charges		(7	)		(6	)		(13	)		(14	)		(40	)
Income from continuing operations before taxes		46			48			62			47			203
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		15			(9	)		(10	)		(2	)		(6	)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		3			1			2			2			8
Income from operations of discontinued operations, net of tax		16			16			13			8			53
Net income		80			56			67			55			258
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax		5			5			7			5			22
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	75		$	51		$	60		$	50		$	236
Income per share - diluted:
Income from continuing operations	$	0.88		$	0.52		$	0.73		$	0.64		$	2.77
Income from discontinued operations		0.25			0.24			0.19			0.12			0.80
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	1.13		$	0.76		$	0.92		$	0.76		$	3.57

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Consolidated Statement Of Changes In Stockholders' Equity And Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax	$ 2	$ 3	$ 4
Change in unrealized loss on investments and derivative instruments, tax
Change in employee benefit plans	9		6
Non-controlling Interest [Member]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, tax	7	4	3
Comprehensive Income [Member]
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax	2	3	4
Change in unrealized loss on investments and derivative instruments, tax
Change in employee benefit plans	9		6
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, tax	$ 7	$ 4	$ 3

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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cabot and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and majority-owned and controlled U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries. Additionally, Cabot considers consolidation of entities over which control is achieved through means other than voting rights, of which there were none in the periods presented. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at date of acquisition. Cabot continually assesses the liquidity of cash and cash equivalents and, as of September 30, 2012, has determined that they are readily convertible to cash.

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of all carbon black inventories in the U.S. is determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. The cost of Specialty Fluids inventories is determined using the average cost method. The cost of other U.S. and all non-U.S. inventories is determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method.

Investments

Investments

The Company has investments in equity affiliates and marketable securities. As circumstances warrant, all investments are subject to periodic impairment reviews. Unless consolidation is required, investments in equity affiliates, where Cabot generally owns between 20% and 50% of the affiliate, are accounted for using the equity method. Cabot records its share of the equity affiliate’s results of operations based on its percentage of ownership of the affiliate. Dividends received from equity affiliates are a return on investment and are recorded as a reduction to the equity investment value. At September 30, 2012 and 2011, Cabot had equity affiliate investments of $115 million (including Norit’s investments) and $60 million, respectively. Dividends declared from these investments were $6 million, $5 million and $6 million in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

All investments in marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value with the corresponding unrealized holding gains or losses, net of taxes, recorded as a separate component of other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity. Unrealized losses that are determined to be other-than-temporary, based on current and expected market conditions, are recognized in earnings. The fair value of marketable securities is determined based on quoted market prices at the balance sheet dates. The cost of marketable securities sold is determined by the specific identification method. Short-term investments consist of investments in marketable securities with maturities of one year or less. The Company’s investment in marketable securities was immaterial as of both September 30, 2012 and 2011.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives. The depreciable lives for buildings, machinery and equipment, and other fixed assets are twenty to twenty-five years, ten to twenty years, and three to twenty-five years, respectively. The cost and accumulated depreciation for property, plant and equipment sold, retired, or otherwise disposed of are removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheets and resulting gains or losses are included in earnings in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expenses as incurred. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments, which significantly extend the useful lives of existing plant and equipment, are capitalized and depreciated.

Cabot capitalizes interest costs when they are part of the historical cost of acquiring and constructing certain assets that require a period of time to prepare for their intended use. During fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, Cabot capitalized $4 million, $2 million and $1 million of interest costs, respectively. These amounts will be amortized over the life of the related assets.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

The Company records tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. Amounts paid for an acquisition are allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is comprised of the purchase price of business acquisitions in excess of the fair value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired.

The Company uses assumptions and estimates in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. The determination of the fair value of intangible assets requires the use of significant judgment with regard to (i) assumptions used in the determination of fair value; and (ii) determination of their useful lives. The Company estimates the fair value of identifiable acquisition-related intangible assets principally based on projections of cash flows that will arise from these assets. The projected cash flows are discounted to determine the present value of the assets at the dates of acquisition. The Company reviews definite-lived intangible assets for impairment when indication of potential impairment exists, such as a significant reduction in cash flows associated with the assets. Actual cash flows arising from a particular intangible asset could vary from projected cash flows which could imply different carrying values from those established at the dates of acquisition and which could result in impairment of such asset. The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually and when events occur or circumstances change that may reduce the fair value of the asset below its carrying amount. Cabot’s intangible assets are primarily comprised of trademarks, customer relationships, patented and unpatented technology and other intellectual property. Finite lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Amortization expense was $3 million in fiscal 2012 and less than $1 million in both 2011 and 2010.

Goodwill is not amortized but is reviewed for impairment annually, or when events or changes in the business environment indicate that the carrying value of the reporting unit may exceed its fair value. During fiscal 2012, the Company adopted the authoritative guidance that simplifies how entities test goodwill for impairment and permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value amount and as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. Alternatively, the Company may elect to proceed directly to the two-step goodwill impairment test. If an initial qualitative assessment identifies that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, additional quantitative evaluation is performed under the two-step impairment test. If based on the quantitative evaluation the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Company performs an analysis of the fair value of all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. If the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is determined to be less than its carrying amount, an impairment is recognized for the difference.

The fair value of a reporting unit is primarily based on discounted estimated future cash flows. The assumptions used to estimate fair value include management’s best estimates of future growth rates, operating cash flows, capital expenditures, discount rates and market conditions over an estimate of the remaining operating period at the reporting unit level. If an impairment exists, a loss is recorded to write-down the value of goodwill to its implied fair value.

Assets Held for Rent

Assets Held for Rent

Assets held for rent represent Specialty Fluids cesium formate product that will be rented to customers in the normal course of business. Assets held for rent are stated at average cost.

Assets Held for Sale

Assets Held for Sale

Cabot classifies its long-lived assets as held for sale when management commits to a plan to sell the assets, the assets are ready for immediate sale in their present condition, an active program to locate buyers has been initiated, the sale of the assets is probable and expected to be completed within one year, the assets are marketed at reasonable prices in relation to their fair value and it is unlikely that significant changes will be made to the plan to sell the assets. The Company measures the value of long-lived assets held for sale at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less cost to sell.

Assets and liabilities held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2011 pertain to applicable assets and liabilities of the Supermetals Business. See Note D for additional information.

Asset Retirement Obligations

Asset Retirement Obligations

Cabot estimates incremental costs for special handling, removal and disposal of materials that may or will give rise to conditional asset retirement obligations (“ARO”) and then discounts the expected costs back to the current year using a credit adjusted risk free rate. Cabot recognizes ARO when the timing and/or settlement can be reasonably estimated. The ARO reserves were $18 million and $7 million at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In fiscal 2012, the Company assumed asset retirement obligations of $10 million in the acquisition of Norit. In addition, the Company made changes to its cash flow estimates for its other ARO resulting in an additional liability of $1 million.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Cabot’s long-lived assets primarily include property, plant and equipment, long-term investments, assets held for rent and sale and intangible assets. The carrying values of long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable and annually for indefinite-lived assets. An asset impairment is recognized when the carrying value of the asset is not recoverable based on the probability-weighted undiscounted estimated future cash flows to be generated by the asset. Cabot’s estimates reflect management’s assumptions about selling prices, production and sales volumes, costs and market conditions over an estimate of the remaining operating period. If an impairment is indicated, the asset is written down to fair value. If the asset does not have a readily determinable market value, a discounted cash flow model may be used to determine the fair value of the asset. The key inputs to the discounted cash flow would be the same as the undiscounted cash flow noted above, with the addition of the discount rate used. In circumstances when an asset does not have separate identifiable cash flows, an impairment charge is recorded when Cabot no longer intends to use the asset.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency of the majority of Cabot’s foreign subsidiaries is the local currency in which the subsidiary operates. Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates. Income and expense items are translated at average monthly exchange rates during the year. Unrealized currency translation adjustments are included as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity.

Realized and unrealized foreign currency gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in currencies other than the subsidiary’s functional currency are reflected in earnings with the exception of (i) intercompany transactions considered to be of a long-term investment nature; and (ii) foreign currency borrowings designated as net investment hedges. Gains or losses arising from these transactions are included as a component of other comprehensive income. In fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, net foreign currency transaction losses of $2 million, losses of $6 million and gains of less than $1 million, respectively, are included in Other expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as part of continuing operations.

Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments

Cabot’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, investments, notes receivable from the sale of a business, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, short-term and long-term debt, and derivative instruments. The carrying values of Cabot’s financial instruments approximate fair value with the exception of long-term debt that has not been designated as part of a fair value hedge. The non-hedged long-term debt is recorded at amortized cost. The fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are based on quoted market prices, if such prices are available. In situations where quoted market prices are not available, the Company relies on valuation models to derive fair value. Such valuation takes into account the ability of the financial counterparty to perform.

Cabot uses derivative financial instruments primarily for purposes of hedging exposures to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, which exist as part of its on-going business operations. Cabot does not enter into derivative contracts for speculative purposes, nor does it hold or issue any derivative contracts for trading purposes. All derivatives are recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Where Cabot has a legal right to offset derivative settlements under a master netting agreement with a counterparty, derivatives with that counterparty are presented on a net basis. The changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded in either earnings or Accumulated other comprehensive income, depending on whether or not the instrument is designated as part of a hedge transaction and, if designated as part of a hedge transaction, the type of hedge transaction. The gains or losses on derivative instruments reported in Accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified to earnings in the period in which earnings are affected by the underlying hedged item. The ineffective portion of all hedges is recognized in earnings during the period in which the ineffectiveness occurs.

In accordance with Cabot’s risk management strategy, the Company may enter into certain derivative instruments that may not be designated as hedges for hedge accounting purposes. Although these derivatives are not designated as hedges, the Company believes that such instruments are closely correlated with the underlying exposure, thus managing the associated risk. The Company records in earnings the gains or losses from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges. Cash movements associated with these instruments are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as Cash Flows from Operating Activities because the derivatives are designed to mitigate risk to the Company’s cash flow from operations.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Cabot recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Cabot generally is able to ensure that products meet customer specifications prior to shipment. If the Company is unable to determine that the product has met the specified objective criteria prior to shipment or if title has not transferred because of sales terms, the revenue is considered “unearned” and is deferred until the revenue recognition criteria are met.

Shipping and handling charges related to sales transactions are recorded as sales revenue when billed to customers or included in the sales price.

The following table shows the relative size of the revenue recognized in each of the Company’s reportable segments:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
Reinforcement Materials		63	%		65	%		63	%
Performance Materials		28	%		29	%		30	%
Advanced Technologies		7	%		6	%		7	%
Purification Solutions(1)		2	%		N/A			N/A

⁽¹⁾  Consists of two months of revenue for Norit, which the Company acquired on July 31, 2012.

Cabot derives the substantial majority of its revenues from the sale of products in Reinforcement Materials and Performance Materials. Revenue from these products is typically recognized when the product is shipped and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. The Company offers certain of its customers cash discounts and volume rebates as sales incentives. The discounts and volume rebates are recorded as a reduction in sales at the time revenue is recognized and are estimated based on historical experience and contractual obligations. Cabot periodically reviews the assumptions underlying its estimates of discounts and volume rebates and adjusts its revenues accordingly.

Revenue in Advanced Technologies, excluding the Specialty Fluids Business, is typically recognized when the product is shipped and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. Depending on the nature of the contract with the customer, a portion of the revenue may be recognized using proportional performance.

A significant portion of the revenue in the Specialty Fluids Business, included in Advanced Technologies, arises from the rental of cesium formate. This revenue is recognized throughout the rental period based on the contracted rental terms. Customers are also billed and revenue is recognized, typically at the end of the job, for cesium formate product that is not returned. The Company also generates revenues from cesium formate sold outside of a rental process and revenue is recognized upon delivery of the fluid.

Revenue in Purification Solutions is typically recognized when the product is shipped and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. For major activated carbon injection systems projects, revenue is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method.

Cost of Sales

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales consists of cost of raw and packaging materials, direct manufacturing costs, depreciation, internal transfer costs, inspection costs, inbound and outbound freight and shipping and handling costs, plant purchasing and receiving costs and other overhead expense necessary to manufacture the products.

Accounts and Notes Receivable

Accounts and Notes Receivable

Trade receivables are recorded at the invoiced amount and generally do not bear interest. Trade receivables in China may at certain times be settled with the receipt of bank issued non-interest bearing notes, which represent the Company’s notes receivable balance. These notes totaled 155 million Chinese Renminbi (“RMB”) ($24 million) and 380 million RMB ($60 million) as of September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and are included in accounts and notes receivable. Cabot periodically sells a portion of the trade receivables in China at a discount and such sales are accounted for as asset sales. The Company does not have any continuing involvement with the notes after the sale. The difference between the proceeds from the sale and the carrying value of the receivables is recognized as a loss on the sale of receivables and is included in Other expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. During fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded charges of $2 million, less than $1 million and $2 million, respectively, for the sale of these receivables.

Cabot maintains allowances for doubtful accounts based on an assessment of the collectibility of specific customer accounts, the aging of accounts receivable and other economic information on both a historical and prospective basis. Customer account balances are charged against the allowance when it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. Changes in the allowance during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 were immaterial. There is no off-balance sheet credit exposure related to customer receivable balances.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation

Cabot recognizes compensation expense for stock-based awards granted to employees using the fair value method. Under the fair value recognition provisions, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the service period, which generally represents the vesting period, and includes an estimate of the awards that will be forfeited, and an estimate of what level of performance the Company will achieve for Cabot’s performance-based stock awards. Cabot calculates the fair value of its stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units is determined using the closing price of Cabot stock on the day of the grant.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses consist of salaries and fringe benefits of sales and office personnel, general office expenses and other expenses not directly related to manufacturing operations.

Research and Technical Expenses

Research and Technical Expenses

Research and technical expenses include salaries, equipment and material expenditures, and contractor fees and are expensed as incurred.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are determined based on the estimated future tax effects of differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that realization of those assets is considered to be more likely than not.

A valuation allowance is established for deferred taxes when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Provisions are made for the U.S. income tax liability and additional non-U.S. taxes on the undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries, except for amounts Cabot has designated to be indefinitely reinvested.

Cabot records benefits for uncertain tax positions based on an assessment of whether the position is more likely than not to be sustained by the taxing authorities. If this threshold is not met, no tax benefit of the uncertain tax position is recognized. If the threshold is met, the tax benefit that is recognized is the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. This analysis presumes the taxing authorities’ full knowledge of the positions taken and all relevant facts, but does not consider the time value of money. The Company also accrues for interest and penalties on its uncertain tax positions and includes such charges in its income tax provision in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Accumulated other comprehensive income, which is included as a component of stockholders’ equity, includes unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale marketable securities and derivative instruments, currency translation adjustments in foreign subsidiaries, translation adjustments on foreign equity securities and minimum pension liability adjustments.

Environmental Costs

Environmental Costs

Cabot accrues environmental costs when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. When a single liability amount cannot be reasonably estimated, but a range can be reasonably estimated, Cabot accrues the amount that reflects the best estimate within that range or the low end of the range if no estimate within the range is better. The amount accrued reflects Cabot’s assumptions about remediation requirements at the contaminated site, the nature of the remedy, the outcome of discussions with regulatory agencies and other potentially responsible parties at multi-party sites, and the number and financial viability of other potentially responsible parties. Cabot discounts certain of its long-term environmental liabilities to reflect the time value of money if the amount of the liability and the amount and timing of cash payments for the liability are fixed and reliably determinable. The liability will be discounted at a rate that will produce an amount at which the liability theoretically could be settled in an arm’s length transaction with a third party. This discounted rate may not exceed the risk-free rate for maturities comparable to those of the liability. Cabot does not reduce its estimated liability for possible recoveries from insurance carriers. Proceeds from insurance carriers are recorded when realized by either the receipt of cash or a contractual agreement.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

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Financial Instruments (Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value) (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest rate contracts with right of offset	$ 2	$ 3

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Income Taxes (Components of Deferred Income Taxes) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Property, plant & equipment	$ 140	$ 73
Pension and other benefits	94	87
Environmental liabilities	2	3
Inventory	12	12
Deferred expenses	12	11
State taxes	5
Net operating loss carry-forwards	194	125
Other tax carry-forwards	73	137
Other	45	28
Subtotal	577	476
Valuation allowances	(169)	(138)
Total deferred tax assets	408	338
Property, plant & equipment	191	28
Intangible assets	107
Pension and other benefits	15	2
Unremitted earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries	11	18
Inventory	10	3
Other	10	5
Total deferred tax liabilities	$ 344	$ 56

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Debt and Other Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Schedule of Long-Term Obligations

The Company’s long-term obligations, the calendar year in which they mature and their respective interest rates are summarized below:

	September 30
	2012			2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Variable Rate Debt:
$750 million Revolving Credit Facility, expires 2016	$	189		$	—
Chinese Renminbi Notes, due through 2016, 5.40%—7.32%		11			15
Total variable rate debt		200			15
Fixed Rate Debt:
5% Notes due 2016	$	300		$	300
2.55% Notes due 2018		250			—
3.7% Notes due 2022		350			—
Medium Term Notes:
Notes due 2012, 7.70%—8.28%	$	—		$	30
Notes due 2018, 7.42%		30			30
Notes due 2022, 8.346%—8.47%		15			15
Note due 2027, 6.57%—7.28%		8			8
Total Medium Term Notes		53			83
Eurobond, due 2013, 5.25%		177			178
ESOP Note, due 2013, 8.29%		8			14
Chinese Renminbi Notes, due 2014, 6.10%—6.65%		5			5
Other, due 2027, 2%		—			5
Total fixed rate debt		1,143			585
Capital lease obligations, due through 2040		16			15
Unamortized debt discount		(2	)		(2	)
Total debt		1,357			613
Less current portion of long-term debt		(185	)		(57	)
Total long-term debt	$	1,172		$	556

Schedule of Future Years Payment

The aggregate principal amounts of long-term debt and capital lease obligations due in each of the five years from fiscal 2013 through 2017 are as follows:

Fiscal Years Ending	Principal payments on long term debt		Payments on Capital Lease Obligations		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
2013	$	182	$	1	$	183
2014		17		1		18
2015		—		1		1
2016		189		1		190
2017		300		1		301
Thereafter		653		11		664
Total	$	1,341	$	16	$	1,357

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Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information

Unaudited financial results by quarter for fiscal 2012 and 2011 are summarized below.

	Quarter Ended
	December			March			June			September			Year
	(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Fiscal 2012
Consolidated Net Income
Net sales and other operating revenues	$	762		$	844		$	846		$	848		$	3,300
Gross profit		143			173			175			157			648
Selling and administrative expenses		65			66			68			86			285
Research and technical expenses		17			20			17			19			73
Income from operations		61			87			90			52			290
Net interest expense and other charges		(6	)		(11	)		(12	)		(16	)		(45	)
Income from continuing operations before taxes		55			76			78			36			245
Provision for income taxes		(16	)		(23	)		(16	)		—			(55	)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		1			3			4			3			11
Income from operations of discontinued operations, net of tax		11			189			4			1			205
Net income		51			245			70			40			406
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax		5			5			4			4			18
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	46		$	240		$	66		$	36		$	388
Income per share - diluted:
Income from continuing operations	$	0.55		$	0.78		$	0.96		$	0.54		$	2.83
Income from discontinued operations		0.16			2.92			0.06			0.02			3.16
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	0.71		$	3.70		$	1.02		$	0.56		$	5.99

	Quarter Ended
	December			March			June			September			Year
	(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Fiscal 2011
Consolidated Net Income
Net sales and other operating revenues	$	694		$	739		$	836		$	833		$	3,102
Gross profit		131			134			152			141			558
Selling and administrative expenses		63			62			61			63			249
Research and technical expenses		15			18			16			17			66
Income from operations		53			54			75			61			243
Net interest expense and other charges		(7	)		(6	)		(13	)		(14	)		(40	)
Income from continuing operations before taxes		46			48			62			47			203
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		15			(9	)		(10	)		(2	)		(6	)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		3			1			2			2			8
Income from operations of discontinued operations, net of tax		16			16			13			8			53
Net income		80			56			67			55			258
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax		5			5			7			5			22
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	75		$	51		$	60		$	50		$	236
Income per share - diluted:
Income from continuing operations	$	0.88		$	0.52		$	0.73		$	0.64		$	2.77
Income from discontinued operations		0.25			0.24			0.19			0.12			0.80
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	1.13		$	0.76		$	0.92		$	0.76		$	3.57

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Debt and Other Obligations (Schedule of Long-Term Obligations) (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity, maximum range	2040
Variable Rate Debt [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility Expiry 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	750
Debt instrument due, year	2016
Variable Rate Debt [Member] | 5.40% - 7.32% Chinese Renminbi Notes, due through 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate, minimum	5.40%
Debt instrument interest rate, maximum	7.32%
Debt instrument maturity, maximum range	2016
Fixed Rate Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	3.70%
Debt instrument due, year	2022
Fixed Rate Debt [Member] | 5% Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	5.00%
Debt instrument due, year	2016
Fixed Rate Debt [Member] | 2.55% Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	2.55%
Debt instrument due, year	2018
Fixed Rate Debt [Member] | 3.7% Notes Due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	3.70%
Debt instrument due, year	2022
Fixed Rate Debt [Member] | 7.70% - 8.28% Notes Due 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate, minimum	7.70%
Debt instrument interest rate, maximum	8.28%
Debt instrument maturity, minimum range	2012
Fixed Rate Debt [Member] | 7.42% Note Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	7.42%
Debt instrument due, year	2018
Fixed Rate Debt [Member] | 8.346% - 8.47% Notes Due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate, minimum	8.346%
Debt instrument interest rate, maximum	8.47%
Debt instrument due, year	2022
Fixed Rate Debt [Member] | 6.57% - 7.28% Notes Due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate, minimum	6.57%
Debt instrument interest rate, maximum	7.28%
Debt instrument due, year	2027
Fixed Rate Debt [Member] | 5.25% Eurobond, Due 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	5.25%
Debt instrument due, year	2013
Fixed Rate Debt [Member] | 8.29% ESOP Note Due 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	8.29%
Debt instrument due, year	2013
Fixed Rate Debt [Member] | 6.10% - 6.65% Chinese Renminbi Notes, due 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate, minimum	6.10%
Debt instrument interest rate, maximum	6.65%
Debt instrument due, year	2014
Fixed Rate Debt [Member] | 2% Other Note Due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	2.00%
Debt instrument due, year	2027

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Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Net sales and other operating revenues	$ 3,300	[1]	$ 3,102	[1]	$ 2,716	[1]
Cost of sales	2,652		2,544		2,206
Gross profit	648		558		510
Selling and administrative expenses	285		249		241
Research and technical expenses	73		66		65
Income from operations	290		243		204
Interest and dividend income	4		2		2
Interest expense	(46)		(39)		(40)
Other expense	(3)		(3)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies	245		203		166
Provision for income taxes	(55)		(6)		(30)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax of $5, $5 and $4	11		8		7
Income from continuing operations	201		205		143
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax of $116, $29 and $16	205		53		26
Net income	406		258		169
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax of $7, $4 and $3	18		22		15
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$ 388		$ 236		$ 154
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, in millions:
Basic	63.4		64.6		63.8
Diluted	64.2		65.4		64.3
Basic:
Income from continuing operations attributable to Cabot Corporation	$ 2.87		$ 2.80		$ 1.96
Income from discontinued operations	$ 3.20		$ 0.82		$ 0.41
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$ 6.07		$ 3.62		$ 2.37
Diluted:
Income from continuing operations attributable to Cabot Corporation	$ 2.83		$ 2.77		$ 1.94
Income from discontinued operations	$ 3.16		$ 0.80		$ 0.41
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$ 5.99		$ 3.57		$ 2.35
Dividends per common share	$ 0.76		$ 0.72		$ 0.72

[1] Unallocated and other reflects royalties paid by equity affiliates, external shipping and handling fees, and the impact of the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue.

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Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Stock-Based Compensation Expenses

The following table presents stock-based compensation expenses included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Cost of Sales	$	5		$	5		$	6
Selling and administrative expenses		9			9			11
Research and technical expenses		1			1			1
Stock-based compensation expense		15			15			18
Income tax benefit		(5	)		(5	)		(7	)
Net stock-based compensation expense	$	10		$	10		$	11

Equity Incentive Plan Activity

The following table summarizes the total stock option, restricted stock, and restricted stock unit activity in the equity incentive plans for fiscal 2012:

	September 30, 2012
	Stock Options							Restricted Stock					Restricted Stock Units
	Total Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Restricted Stock			Weighted Average Grant  Date Fair Value		Restricted Stock Units (1)			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	(Shares in thousands)
Outstanding at September 30, 2011		1,772		$	21.96		$6.06		3		$	9.56		866		$	28.89
Granted		284			32.95		11.64		—			—		405			33.15
Performance-based adjustment(2)		—			—		—		—			—		10			25.93
Exercised / Vested		(434	)		19.95		4.72		(1	)		9.56		(15	)		25.64
Cancelled / Forfeited		(43	)		33.64		8.26		—			—		(35	)		29.70
Outstanding at September 30, 2012		1,579			24.17		7.37		2			9.56		1,231			30.28
Exercisable at September 30, 2012		983			20.03
Expected to vest(3)		561			30.95

⁽¹⁾  The number “Granted” represents the number of shares issuable upon vesting of time-based restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units, assuming the Company performs at the target performance level in each year of the three-year performance period.

⁽²⁾  Represents the net incremental number of shares issuable upon vesting of outstanding performance-based restricted stock units, based on the Company’s actual performance against the performance targets for the 2012 performance period of the outstanding units.

⁽³⁾  Stock options expected to vest in the future, net of estimated forfeitures, have a weighted average remaining contractual life of 8.3 years.

Stock Options Outstanding and Vested Options

The following table summarizes information related to the total outstanding options and the vested options on September 30, 2012:

	Total Options Outstanding		Exercisable Options
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)	$	20	$	16
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)		7.3		6.7

Weighted-Average Assumptions

The fair values on the grant date were calculated using the following weighted-average assumptions:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
Expected stock price volatility		45	%		43	%		42	%
Risk free interest rate		1.3	%		1.8	%		2.8	%
Expected life of options (years)		6			6			6
Expected annual dividends per year	$	0.72		$	0.72		$	0.72

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Employee Benefit Plans (Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets by Asset Category) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	$ 505		$ 300
Total Direct Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	85		62
Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	404		225
Alternative Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	11		8
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	5		5
U.S. Equity Securities [Member] | Total Direct Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	19		13
Non-U.S. Equity Securities [Member] | Total Direct Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	5		1
Non-U.S. Government Bonds [Member] | Total Direct Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	50		47
Non-U.S. Corporate Bonds [Member] | Total Direct Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	11		1
Equity Funds [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	205	[1]	106	[1]
Fixed Income [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	192	[2]	93	[2]
Real Estate Funds [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	2	[3]	1	[3]
Common And Collective Investment Trust Fund [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			24	[4]
Money Market Funds [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	1		1
Other Investments [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	4
Insurance Contracts [Member] | Alternative Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	10		8
Other Alternative Investments [Member] | Alternative Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	1	[5]
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | US [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	257
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | US [Member] | Total Direct Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	85
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | US [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	168
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Non-US [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			130
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Non-US [Member] | Total Direct Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			62
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Non-US [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			64
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Cash And Cash Equivalents [Member] | US [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	4
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Cash And Cash Equivalents [Member] | Non-US [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			4
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | U.S. Equity Securities [Member] | US [Member] | Total Direct Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	19
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | U.S. Equity Securities [Member] | Non-US [Member] | Total Direct Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			13
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Non-U.S. Equity Securities [Member] | US [Member] | Total Direct Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	5
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Non-U.S. Equity Securities [Member] | Non-US [Member] | Total Direct Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			1
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Non-U.S. Government Bonds [Member] | US [Member] | Total Direct Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	50
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Non-U.S. Government Bonds [Member] | Non-US [Member] | Total Direct Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			47
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Non-U.S. Corporate Bonds [Member] | US [Member] | Total Direct Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	11
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Non-U.S. Corporate Bonds [Member] | Non-US [Member] | Total Direct Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			1
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Equity Funds [Member] | US [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	97	[1]
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Equity Funds [Member] | Non-US [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			20	[1]
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Fixed Income [Member] | US [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	66	[2]
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Fixed Income [Member] | Non-US [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			43	[2]
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member] | US [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	1
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member] | Non-US [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			1
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Other Investments [Member] | US [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	4
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | US [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	248
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | US [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	236
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | US [Member] | Alternative Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	11
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Non-US [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			170
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Non-US [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			161
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Non-US [Member] | Alternative Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			8
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Cash And Cash Equivalents [Member] | US [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	1
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Cash And Cash Equivalents [Member] | Non-US [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			1
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Equity Funds [Member] | US [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	108	[1]
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Equity Funds [Member] | Non-US [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			86	[1]
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fixed Income [Member] | US [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	126	[2]
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fixed Income [Member] | Non-US [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			50	[2]
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Real Estate Funds [Member] | US [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	2	[3]
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Real Estate Funds [Member] | Non-US [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			1	[3]
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common And Collective Investment Trust Fund [Member] | Non-US [Member] | Total Investment Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			24	[4]
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Insurance Contracts [Member] | US [Member] | Alternative Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	10
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Insurance Contracts [Member] | Non-US [Member] | Alternative Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets			8
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Other Alternative Investments [Member] | US [Member] | Alternative Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	$ 1	[5]

[1] The equity funds asset class includes funds that invest in U.S. equities as well as equity securities issued by companies incorporated, listed or domiciled in countries in developed and/or emerging markets. These companies may be in the small-, mid- or large-cap categories.

[2] The fixed income funds asset class includes investments in high quality funds. High quality fixed income funds primarily invest in low risk U.S. and non-U.S. government securities, investment-grade corporate bonds, mortgages and asset-backed securities. A significant portion of the fixed income funds asset includes investment in long-term bond funds.

[3] The real estate funds asset class includes funds that primarily invest in entities which are principally engaged in the ownership, acquisition, development, financing, sale and/or management of income-producing real estate properties, both commercial and residential. These funds typically seek long-term growth of capital and current income that is above average relative to public equity funds.

[4] The investment objective of the portfolio of this common and collective investment trust is to achieve long-term, total return in excess of the MSCI World Index Benchmark by investing in equity securities of companies worldwide, emphasizing those with above-average potential for capital appreciation

[5] Insurance contracts held by the Company's non-U.S. plans are issued by well-known, highly rated insurance companies.

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Income Taxes (Reconciliation Using U.S. Statutory Rate) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Computed tax expense at the federal statutory rate								$ 86	$ 70	$ 58
Impact of taxation at different rates, repatriation and other								(29)	(29)	(26)
Impact of credit for extraordinary repatriation									(24)
Impact of investment incentive credits									(2)	(2)
Impact of foreign losses for which a current tax benefit is not available								5	6	17
State taxes, net of federal effect
U.S. and state benefits from research and experimentation activities								(2)	(3)	(1)
Tax audit settlements								(2)	(12)	(15)
Release of state tax valuation allowance								(8)
Permanent differences, net								5		(1)
Total U.S and foreign	$ 16	$ 23	$ 16	$ 2	$ 10	$ 9	$ (15)	$ 55	$ 6	$ 30

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Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 406	$ 258	$ 169
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	156	144	143
Deferred tax provision	(6)	(25)	(2)
Gain on sale of business, net of tax	(191)
Impairment charges			2
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment	1	2	6
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	(11)	(8)	(7)
Non-cash compensation	18	19	27
Other non-cash (income) charges, net	3	(3)	(5)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable	6	(111)	(116)
Inventories	(30)	(79)	(7)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	26	(17)	(18)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	100	23	47
Income taxes payable	(13)	1	7
Other liabilities	(38)	(12)	(7)
Cash dividends received from equity affiliates	6	4	6
Other	(18)	(1)	4
Cash provided by operating activities	415	195	249
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(281)	(230)	(108)
Proceeds from sale of business	181
Receipts from notes receivable from sale of business	23
Investment in equity affiliate		(2)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired	(1,104)		(5)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment	2	6	6
(Increase) decrease in assets held for rent	(1)	(6)	2
Settlement of derivatives			(7)
Cash used in investing activities	(1,180)	(232)	(112)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Borrowings under financing arrangements	84	71	37
Repayments under financing arrangements	(88)	(45)	(31)
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of issuance costs	911
Repayments of long-term debt	(172)	(21)	(6)
(Decrease) increase in notes payable to banks, net	(42)	30	(8)
Proceeds from cash contributions received from noncontrolling stockholders	4
Purchases of common stock	(36)	(59)	(5)
Proceeds from sales of common stock	10	11	9
Cash dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(16)	(12)	(6)
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders	(49)	(47)	(47)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	606	(72)	(57)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(7)	8	3
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(166)	(101)	83
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	286	387	304
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	120	286	387
Income taxes paid	73	64	43
Interest paid	39	34	28
Non-cash additions to property, plant and equipment	$ 4	$ 14

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Employee Benefit Plans (Sensitivity Analysis) (Detail) (Foreign Postretirement Benefits [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Foreign Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
1 -Percent-Point Increase, Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	$ 3
1 -Percent-Point Decrease, Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	$ (2)

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Discontinued Operations (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Y
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Total minimum consideration from sale	$ 450
Initial cash payment, transactions closes	175
Maturity period of promissory notes	2
Total prepayment value of promissory notes	215
Contingent payment, percentage of quarterly cash payments of adjusted EBITDA	50.00%
Contingent payment, based on future performance of the acquired business	11.5
Proceeds from sale of excess inventory	50
Promissory note interest rate	10.00%
GAM Promissory Notes and Inventory Note, final maturity date	2014-03
Promissory note fair value	273
Promissory note included in other asset section	242
Promissory note included in prepaid and other current assets	10
Company received payable under the GAM Notes	23
After-tax gain on the sale of discontinued operations	191
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Promissory note included in other asset section	$ 252

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Stock-Based Compensation (Equity Incentive Plan Activity) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock Options, Total Options, Outstanding at September 30, 2011	1,772,000
Stock Options, Total Options, Granted	284,000
Stock Options, Total Options, Performance-based adjustment		[1]
Stock Options, Total Options, Exercised / Vested	(434,000)
Stock Options, Total Options, Cancelled / Forfeited	(43,000)
Stock Options, Total Options, Outstanding at September 30, 2012	1,579,000
Stock Options, Total Options, Exercisable at September 30, 2012	983,000
Expected to vest	561,000	[2]
Stock Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding at September 30, 2011	$ 21.96
Stock Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted	$ 32.95
Stock Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Performance-based adjustment		[1]
Stock Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised / Vested	$ 19.95
Stock Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Cancelled / Forfeited	$ 33.64
Stock Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding at September 30, 2012	$ 24.17
Exercisable at September 30, 2012	$ 20.03
Expected to vest	$ 30.95	[2]
OutStock Options, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Outstanding at September 30, 2011 outstanding at September 30, 2011	$ 6.06
Stock Options, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$ 11.64
Stock Options, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Performance-based adjustment		[1]
Stock Options, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Exercised / Vested	$ 4.72
Stock Options, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Cancelled / Forfeited	$ 8.26
Stock Options, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Outstanding at September 30, 2012	$ 7.37
Restricted Stock / Units, Outstanding at September 30, 2012	56,892
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted Stock / Units, Outstanding at September 30, 2011	3,000
Restricted Stock / Units, Exercised / Vested	(1,000)
Restricted Stock / Units, Outstanding at September 30, 2012	2,000
Restricted Stock / Units, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Outstanding at September 30, 2011	$ 9.56
Restricted Stock / Units, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Exercised / Vested	$ 9.56
Restricted Stock / Units, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Outstanding at September 30, 2012	$ 9.56
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted Stock / Units, Outstanding at September 30, 2011	866,000	[3]
Restricted Stock / Units, Granted	405,000	[3]
Restricted Stock / Units, Performance-based adjustment	10,000	[1],[3]
Restricted Stock / Units, Exercised / Vested	(15,000)	[3]
Restricted Stock / Units, Cancelled / Forfeited	(35,000)	[3]
Restricted Stock / Units, Outstanding at September 30, 2012	1,231,000	[3]
Restricted Stock / Units, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Outstanding at September 30, 2011	$ 28.89
Restricted Stock / Units, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$ 33.15
Restricted Stock / Units, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Performance-based adjustment	25.93	[1]
Restricted Stock / Units, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Exercised / Vested	$ 25.64
Restricted Stock / Units, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Cancelled / Forfeited	$ 29.70
Restricted Stock / Units, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Outstanding at September 30, 2012	$ 30.28

[1] Represents the net incremental number of shares issuable upon vesting of outstanding performance-based restricted stock units, based on the Company's actual performance against the performance targets for the 2012 performance period of the outstanding units.

[2] Stock options expected to vest in the future, net of estimated forfeitures, have a weighted average remaining contractual life of 8.3 years.

[3] The number "Granted" represents the number of shares issuable upon vesting of time-based restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units, assuming the Company performs at the target performance level in each year of the three-year performance period.

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Discontinued Operations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Net Of Tax [Member]

Components of Discontinued Operations

The following table summarizes the results from discontinued operations:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Net sales and other operating revenues	$	46		$	201		$	177
Income from operations before income taxes		21			84			42
Provision for income taxes on operations		(7	)		(31	)		(16	)
Income from operations, net of tax	$	14		$	53		$	26
Gain on sale of discontinued operations		300			—			—
Provision for income taxes on gain on sale		(109	)		—			—
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax		191			—			—
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	205		$	53		$	26

Assets Held For Sale And Liabilities Associated With Assets Held For Sale [Member]

Components of Discontinued Operations

The following table summarizes the assets and the liabilities held for sale in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2011:

	(in millions)
Assets
Accounts and notes receivable, net of reserve for doubtful accounts	$	41
Inventories		64
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1
Total current assets held for sale	$	106
Total noncurrent assets held for sale	$	39
Liabilities
Total current liabilities held for sale	$	12
Total noncurrent liabilities held for sale	$	6

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Financial Information by Segment & Geographic Area (Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Asset Information by Geographic Area) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	$ 3,300	$ 3,102	$ 2,716
Long-lived assets	1,552	1,036	975
US [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	695	589	546
Long-lived assets	486	233	227
JAPAN [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	330	307	248
Long-lived assets	54	30	41
China [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	543	554	458
Long-lived assets	305	274	203
Other Foreign Countries [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	1,732	1,652	1,464
Long-lived assets	$ 707	$ 499	$ 504

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Property Plant and Equipment (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	$ 153	$ 138	$ 137

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Employee Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Employee Benefit Plans

Note N. Employee Benefit Plans

The information below provides detail concerning the Company’s benefit obligations under the defined benefit and post-retirement benefit plans it sponsors, including the obligations the Company assumed in its acquisition of Norit. The information included in this footnote and the related tables also includes amounts pertaining to the Company’s former Supermetals Business, unless indicated otherwise.

Defined benefit plans provide pre-determined benefits to employees that are distributed upon retirement. Cabot used a September 30 measurement date for all U.S. and foreign plan obligations and assets in both fiscal 2012 and 2011. Cabot is making all required contributions to these plans. The accumulated benefit obligation was $187 million for the U.S. defined benefit plans and $398 million for the foreign plans as of September 30, 2012 and $140 million for the U.S. defined benefit plans and $218 million for the foreign plans as of September 30, 2011.

In addition to benefits provided under the defined benefit and post-retirement benefit plans, the Company provides benefits under defined contribution plans. One of these plans includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) component, which is described below. Cabot recognized expenses related to these plans, not including the expenses related to the ESOP, of $7 million in fiscal 2012, $7 million in fiscal 2011 and $9 million in fiscal 2010.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Eligible employees of Cabot and its participating subsidiaries in the U.S. participate in the ESOP. Under the ESOP, which is 100% Company funded, 108,696.645 shares of Cabot common stock are allocated to participants’ accounts at the end of each quarter. Cabot has established a minimum and maximum contribution percentage of total eligible pay. The actual contribution percentage in any given quarter varies depending on Cabot’s stock price on the last day of the relevant quarter, the total eligible compensation and the amount of the dividends allocated to participants. Compensation expense related to the ESOP was $5 million in fiscal 2012 and $4 million in each of fiscal 2011 and 2010.

The following provides information about benefit obligations, plan assets, the funded status and weighted-average assumptions of the defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012						2011						2012						2011
	Pension Benefits												Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Change in Benefit Obligations:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	147		$	236		$	143		$	241		$	64		$	15		$	69		$	15
Service cost		5			7			5			6			1			—			1			—
Interest cost		7			11			6			11			2			1			2			1
Plan participants’ contribution		—			1			—			1			—			—			—			—
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		—			5			—			1			—			1			—			—
Loss (gain) from changes in actuarial assumptions		12			38			2			(9	)		1			2			(1	)		(1	)
Benefits paid(1)		(11	)		(11	)		(9	)		(16	)		(5	)		(1	)		(5	)		—
Plan amendments		—			—			—			—			—			—			(2	)		—
Settlements or curtailment gain		(1	)		(4	)		—			(1	)		(1	)		—			—			—
Acquisition of Norit		36			140			—			—			2			—			—			—
Other		—			(1	)		—			2			—			—			—			—
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	195		$	422		$	147		$	236		$	64		$	18		$	64		$	15

	Years Ended September 30
	2012						2011						2012						2011
	Pension Benefits												Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Change in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	103		$	197		$	104		$	197		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Actual return on plan assets		23			24			8			2			—			—			—			—
Employer contribution		8			13			—			13			5			1			5			—
Plan participants’ contribution		—			1			—			1			—			—			—			—
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		—			5			—			—			—			—			—			—
Benefits paid(1)		(11	)		(11	)		(9	)		(16	)		(5	)		(1	)		(5	)		—
Settlements		—			(5	)		—			—			—			—			—			—
Acquisition of Norit		27			133			—			—			—			—			—			—
Expenses paid from assets		(1	)		(1	)		—			—			—			—			—			—
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	149		$	356		$	103		$	197		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Funded status	$	(46	)	$	(66	)	$	(44	)	$	(39	)	$	(64	)	$	(18	)	$	(64	)	$	(15	)
Recognized liability(2)	$	(46	)	$	(66	)	$	(44	)	$	(39	)	$	(64	)	$	(18	)	$	(64	)	$	(15	)

⁽¹⁾  Included in this amount is $7 million and $2 million that the Company paid directly to the participants in its defined benefit plans in fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively.

⁽²⁾  Included in this amount is $4 million of net pension liability as of September 30, 2011 related to the Supermetals Business presented as Noncurrent liabilities held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Pension Assumptions and Strategy

The following assumptions were used to determine the pension benefit obligations at September 30:

	Assumptions as of September 30
	2012						2011						2010
	Pension Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
Actuarial assumptions as of the year-end measurement date:
Discount rate		3.5	%		3.6	%		4.5	%		4.8	%		4.5	%		4.4	%
Rate of increase in compensation		3.5	%		3.1	%		3.8	%		3.1	%		3.8	%		3.3	%
Actuarial assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost during the year:
Discount rate		4.5	%		4.8	%		4.5	%		4.3	%		5.3	%		5.0	%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets		7.8	%		5.3	%		7.8	%		6.1	%		7.8	%		6.1	%
Rate of increase in compensation		3.8	%		3.2	%		3.8	%		3.3	%		3.8	%		3.4	%

Post Retirement Assumptions and Strategy

The following assumptions were used to determine the post retirement benefit obligations at September 30:

	Assumptions as of September 30
	2012						2011						2010
	Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
Actuarial assumptions as of the year-end measurement date:
Discount rate		3.3	%		3.9	%		4.5	%		4.9	%		4.5	%		4.8	%
Initial health care cost trend rate		8.0	%		7.4	%		8.5	%		8.0	%		7.5	%		8.0	%
Actuarial assumptions used to determine net cost during the year:
Discount rate		4.5	%		4.9	%		4.5	%		4.8	%		5.3	%		5.2	%
Initial health care cost trend rate		8.5	%		7.9	%		7.5	%		8.0	%		8.0	%		9.0	%

Cabot uses discount rates as of September 30, the plans’ measurement date, to determine future benefit obligations under its U.S. and foreign defined benefit plans. The discount rates for the defined benefit plans in the U.S., Canada, UAE, Euro-zone, Japan, Switzerland and the U.K. are derived from yield curves that reflect high quality corporate bond yield or swap rate information in each region and reflect the characteristics of Cabot’s employee benefit plans. The discount rates for the defined benefit plans in the Czech Republic and Indonesia are based on government bond indices that best reflect the durations of the plans, adjusted for credit spreads presented in selected AA corporate bond indices.

The rates utilized are selected because they represent long-term, high quality, fixed income benchmarks that approximate the long-term nature of Cabot’s pension obligations and related payouts.

	Years Ended September 30
	2012						2011						2012						2011
	Pension Benefits												Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Net Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Noncurrent assets	$	—		$	4		$	—		$	10		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Current liabilities		—			(1	)		—			(1	)		(6	)		(1	)		(6	)		—
Noncurrent liabilities		(46	)		(69	)		(44	)		(48	)		(58	)		(17	)		(58	)		(15	)

Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income at September 30, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012				2011				2012					2011
	Pension Benefits								Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.		Foreign		U.S.		Foreign		U.S.			Foreign		U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Net actuarial loss	$	29	$	77	$	34	$	52	$	3		$	3	$	2		$	2
Net prior service cost (credit)		1		—		1		—		(10	)		—		(14	)		—
Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income, pretax	$	30	$	77	$	35	$	52	$	(7	)	$	3	$	(12	)	$	2

In fiscal 2013, an estimated net loss of $6 million will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income to net periodic benefit cost. In addition, amortization of estimated prior service credits of $3 million for other postretirement benefits will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income to net periodic benefit costs in fiscal 2013.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

The Company expects that the following benefit payments will be made to plan participants in the years from 2013 to 2022:

	Pension Benefits				Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.		Foreign		U.S.		Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Years Ended:
2013	$	13	$	17	$	6	$	1
2014		12		17		6		1
2015		12		19		6		1
2016		13		21		5		1
2017		14		20		5		1
2018-2022		76		116		22		5

Post retirement medical benefits are unfunded and impact Cabot’s cash flows. The Company expects to contribute less than $1 million and $12 million related to its U.S. and foreign pension plans, respectively, in fiscal 2013.

Net periodic defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit costs include the following components:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012						2011						2010						2012					2011					2010
	Pension Benefits																		Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign		U.S.			Foreign		U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Service cost	$	5		$	7		$	5		$	6		$	5		$	5		$	1		$	—	$	1		$	—	$	1		$	—
Interest cost		7			11			6			11			7			11			2			1		2			1		3			1
Expected return on plan assets		(9	)		(13	)		(8	)		(13	)		(9	)		(11	)		—			—		—			—		—			—
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		—			—			—			—			—			—			(3	)		—		(3	)		—		(4	)		—
Net losses (gains)		1			3			—			3			—			2			—			—		—			—		—			—
Settlements or curtailments cost (income)		1			1			—			—			—			1			(1	)		—		—			—		—			—
Other		—			—			—			2			—			—			—			—		—			—		—			—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	5		$	9		$	3		$	9		$	3		$	8		$	(1	)	$	1	$	—		$	1	$	—		$	1

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income are as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012						2011					2010					2012				2011						2010
	Pension Benefits																Postretirement Benefits
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.		Foreign			U.S.		Foreign			U.S.		Foreign		U.S.			Foreign			U.S.		Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Net losses (gains)	$	(3	)	$	27		$	2	$	1		$	5	$	12		$	1	$	1	$	(1	)	$	(1	)	$	1	$	—
Prior service cost		(1	)		—			—		—			—		—			1		—		(2	)		—			—		—
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit		—			—			—		—			—		—			3		—		4			—			4		—
Amortization of prior unrecognized loss		(1	)		(3	)		—		(3	)		—		(2	)		—		—		—			—			—		—
Other		—			1			—		—			—		1			—		—		—			—			—		—
Total other comprehensive loss (income)	$	(5	)	$	25		$	2	$	(2	)	$	5	$	11		$	5	$	1	$	1		$	(1	)	$	5	$	—

Curtailments and settlements of employee benefit plans

In recent years, the Company incurred curtailments and settlements of certain of its employee benefit plans. Associated with these curtailments and settlements, the Company recognized a net loss of $1 million, a net gain of less than $1 million and a net loss of $1 million in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Sensitivity Analysis

Measurement of postretirement benefit expense is based on actuarial assumptions used to value the postretirement benefit liability at the beginning of the year. Assumed health care cost trend rates have an effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. The fiscal 2012 weighted-average assumed health care cost trend rate is 8.5% for U.S. plans and 7.9% for foreign plans. The ultimate weighted-average health care cost trend rate has been designated as 5.0% for U.S. plans and 6.0% for foreign plans and is anticipated to be achieved during 2018 and 2016, respectively. A one percentage point change in the 2012 assumed health care cost trend rate would have the following effects:

	1-Percentage-Point
	Increase				Decrease
	U.S.		Foreign		U.S.		Foreign
	(Dollars in millions)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	$	—	$	3	$	—	$	(2	)

Plan Assets

The Company’s defined benefit pension plans weighted-average asset allocations at September 30, 2012 and 2011, by asset category are as follows:

	Pension Assets
	September 30
	2012						2011
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
Asset Category:
Equity securities		62	%		39	%		57	%		44	%
Debt securities		38	%		56	%		43	%		50	%
Cash and other securities		—			5	%		—			6	%
Total		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%

To develop the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption, the Company used a capital asset pricing model. The model considers the current level of expected returns on risk-free investments comprised of government bonds, the historical level of the risk premium associated with the other asset classes in which the portfolio is invested, and the expectations for future returns for each asset class. The expected return for each asset class was then weighted based on the target asset allocation to develop the expected long-term rate of return for each plan.

Cabot’s investment strategy for each of its defined benefit plans in the U.S. and abroad is generally based on a set of investment objectives and policies that cover time horizons and risk tolerance levels consistent with plan liabilities. Periodic studies are performed to determine the asset mix that will meet pension obligations at a reasonable cost to the Company. The assets of the defined benefit plans are comprised principally of investments in equity and high quality fixed income securities, which are broadly diversified across the capitalization and style spectrum and are managed using both active and passive strategies. The weighted average target asset allocation for the U.S. plans is 61% in equity and 39% in fixed income and for the foreign plans is 39% in equity, 55% in fixed income, 2% in real estate and 4% in cash and other securities.

For pension or other postretirement benefit plan assets classified as Level 1 measurements (measured using quoted prices in active markets), total fair value is either the price of the most recent trade at the time of the market close or the official close price, as defined by the exchange on which the asset is most actively traded on the last trading day of the period, multiplied by the number of units held without consideration of transaction costs.

For pension or other postretirement benefit plan assets classified as Level 2 measurements, where the security is frequently traded in less active markets, fair value is based on the closing price at the end of the period; where the security is less frequently traded, fair value is based on the price a dealer would pay for the security or similar securities, adjusted for any terms specific to that asset or liability. Market inputs are obtained from well-established and recognized vendors of market data and subjected to tolerance/quality checks.

Some pension or other postretirement benefit plan assets are held in funds where a net asset value is calculated based on the fair value of the underlying assets and the number of shares owned. The classification of the fund (Level 1, 2 or 3 measurements) is determined based on the classification of the significant holdings within the fund. For all other pension or other postretirement benefit plan assets for which observable inputs are used, fair value is derived through the use of fair value models, such as a discounted cash flow model or other standard pricing models.

The fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets at September 30, 2012 and 2011 by asset category is as follows:

	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Total
	2012						2011
Asset Category:
Cash	$	4	$	1	$	5	$	4	$	1	$	5
Direct investments:
U.S. equity securities		19		—		19		13		—		13
Non-U.S. equity securities		5		—		5		1		—		1
Non-U.S. government bonds		50		—		50		47		—		47
Non-U.S. corporate bonds		11		—		11		1		—		1
Total direct investments	$	85	$	—	$	85	$	62	$	—	$	62
Investment funds:
Equity funds(1)		97		108		205		20		86		106
Fixed income funds(2)		66		126		192		43		50		93
Real estate funds(3)		—		2		2		—		1		1
Common and collective investment trust funds(4)		—		—		—		—		24		24
Money market funds		1		—		1		1		—		1
Other		4		—		4		—		—		—
Total investment funds		168	$	236	$	404	$	64	$	161	$	225
Alternative investments:
Insurance contracts(5)		—		10		10		—		8		8
Other		—		1		1		—		—		—
Total alternative investments		—	$	11	$	11	$	—	$	8	$	8
Total pension plan assets	$	257	$	248	$	505	$	130	$	170	$	300

⁽¹⁾  The equity funds asset class includes funds that invest in U.S. equities as well as equity securities issued by companies incorporated, listed or domiciled in countries in developed and/or emerging markets. These companies may be in the small-, mid- or large-cap categories.

⁽²⁾  The fixed income funds asset class includes investments in high quality funds. High quality fixed income funds primarily invest in low risk U.S. and non-U.S. government securities, investment-grade corporate bonds, mortgages and asset-backed securities. A significant portion of the fixed income funds asset includes investment in long-term bond funds.

⁽³⁾  The real estate funds asset class includes funds that primarily invest in entities which are principally engaged in the ownership, acquisition, development, financing, sale and/or management of income-producing real estate properties, both commercial and residential. These funds typically seek long-term growth of capital and current income that is above average relative to public equity funds.

⁽⁴⁾ The investment objective of the portfolio of this common and collective investment trust is to achieve long-term, total return in excess of the MSCI World Index Benchmark by investing in equity securities of companies worldwide, emphasizing those with above-average potential for capital appreciation

⁽⁵⁾ Insurance contracts held by the Company’s non-U.S. plans are issued by well-known, highly rated insurance companies.

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Inventories (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Components of Company's Inventories

Inventories, net of LIFO reserves, are as follows:

	September 30
	2012		2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Raw materials	$	131	$	120
Work in process		5		3
Finished goods		351		233
Other		46		37
Total	$	533	$	393

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Stock-Based Compensation (Stock-Based Compensation Expenses) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense before tax	$ 15	$ 15	$ 18
Income tax benefit	(5)	(5)	(7)
Net stock-based compensation expense	10	10	11
Cost Of Sales [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense before tax	5	5	6
Selling And Administrative Expenses [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense before tax	9	9	11
Research And Technical Expenses [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense before tax	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1

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Concentration of Credit Risk (Schedule of Account Receivable) (Detail) (Tire Manufacturers [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Tire Manufacturers [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Accounts receivable	$ 346	$ 318

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Restructuring

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Restructuring

Note P. Restructuring

Cabot’s restructuring activities were recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Cost of sales	$	13	$	16	$	36
Selling and administrative expenses		2		2		10
Research and technical expenses		—		—		—
Total	$	15	$	18	$	46

Details of these restructuring activities and the related reserves for fiscal 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

	Severance and Employee Benefits			Environmental Remediation			Asset Impairment and Accelerated Depreciation			Asset Sales			Other			Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Reserve at September 30, 2010	$	18		$	1		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	19
Charges		8			3			3			(1	)		5			18
Costs charged against assets and other		1			—			(3	)		(4	)		—			(6	)
Proceeds from sale		—			—			—			6			—			6
Cash paid		(17	)		(4	)		—			(1	)		(4	)		(26	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(1	)		—			—			—			1			—
Reserve at September 30, 2011	$	9		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	2		$	11
Charges		3			3			7			(1	)		3			15
Costs charged against assets and other		—			—			(7	)		(3	)		—			(10	)
Proceeds from sale		—			—			—			4			—			4
Cash paid		(10	)		(2	)		—			—			(2	)		(14	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		—			—			—			—			(1	)		(1	)
Reserve at September 30, 2012	$	2		$	1		$	—		$	—		$	2		$	5

Closure of Hong Kong, China Manufacturing Facility

In March 2012, the Company ceased manufacturing operations at its specialty compounds plant in Hong Kong and moved these operations primarily to its facility in Tianjin, China. The decision, which affected 64 employees, was made to consolidate all of these operations in one plant that is closer to the Company’s customers in Asia, and to use fully the advanced process technologies available at Cabot’s facilities in Tianjin.

The Company expects the closure plan will result in a total pre-tax charge to earnings of approximately $10 million. Through September 30, 2012 the Company has charged approximately $6 million to earnings for this restructuring, comprised mainly of accelerated depreciation, asset write-offs, and severance charges.

Cumulative net cash outlays related to this plan are expected to be approximately $3 million comprised primarily of $1 million for severance and $2 million for post close operations. Through September 30, 2012, Cabot has made net cash payments of less than $1 million. The Company expects to make net cash payments of approximately $3 million in fiscal 2013.

As of September 30, 2012, Cabot has $1 million of accrued restructuring costs in the Consolidated Balance Sheet related to this site closure.

Closure of Grigno, Italy Manufacturing Facility

In February 2011, the Company closed its specialty compounds manufacturing facility in Grigno, Italy. This decision was made to align Cabot’s manufacturing capabilities with the market outlook and Cabot’s Performance Materials strategy. The closure, which affected 37 employees, resulted in $5 million of net charges to earnings which are comprised of $3 million for severance and employee benefits and $3 million for accelerated depreciation and asset impairments partially offset by a gain of $1 million related to the sale of the facility, which occurred in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.

Through September 30, 2012, Cabot has made net cash payments of $1 million associated with this restructuring plan including $2 million of severance and $1 million of other costs partially offset by proceeds of $2 million from the sale of the facility. The Company expects to make additional severance cash payments of less than $1 million in 2013.

As of September 30, 2012, Cabot has less than $1 million of accrued restructuring costs in the Consolidated Balance Sheet related to this site closure.

Closure of Thane, India Manufacturing Facility

In fiscal 2010, Cabot ceased manufacturing operations at its carbon black manufacturing facility in Thane, India. This decision, which affected approximately 120 employees, was made as a result of a broad reaching analysis of the Company’s manufacturing assets, including their cost structure, ability to expand and a variety of other factors. The Company continues to maintain a presence in India through its fumed metal oxides manufacturing joint venture and continuing commercial operations in carbon black and other products.

The Company has incurred a total pre-tax charge of approximately $24 million and does not expect to incur significant additional costs related to this plan. These costs are comprised of $7 million for severance and employee benefits, $12 million for accelerated depreciation and asset impairments, $3 million demolition and site clearing costs and $2 million for other post-close costs. These amounts exclude any potential gain to be recognized on the sale of land and certain other manufacturing related assets.

Cumulative net cash outlays related to this plan are expected to be approximately $8 million. Through fiscal 2012, Cabot has made net cash payments of $8 million. The Company expects to make cash payments of less than $1 million in 2013. These amounts exclude any potential cash to be received on the sale of land and certain other manufacturing related assets.

As of September 30, 2012, Cabot has less than $1 million of accrued restructuring costs in the Consolidated Balance Sheet related to this site closure.

2009 Global Restructuring

In fiscal 2009, Cabot initiated its 2009 Global Restructuring Plan. Under this plan, the Company closed three manufacturing sites and implemented operating cost and workforce reductions across a variety of its other operations. In fiscal 2010, the Company consolidated several of its European administrative offices in a new European headquarters office in Switzerland.

The Company has recorded cumulative pre-tax charges of $124 million related to this plan. The total amounts the Company has recorded for each major type of cost associated with the restructuring plan are: (i) severance and employee benefits of $55 million for approximately 400 employees, (ii) accelerated depreciation and impairment of facility assets of $45 million, net of gains associated with the sale of certain assets, (iii) demolition and site clearing costs of $7 million, and (iv) other post-closing costs of $17 million.

Net cash outlays related to these actions are expected to be approximately $72 million. Through September 30, 2012, Cabot has made net cash payments of $71 million. During fiscal 2013 and thereafter, the Company expects to make net payments totaling $1 million, net of the expected proceeds from the sale of a former manufacturing site.

As of September 30, 2012, Cabot has $3 million of accrued restructuring costs in accrued expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheet related to this plan.

Other Activities

Cabot has recorded approximately $1 million and $5 million during fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively, of severance-related restructuring charges at other locations. Through September 30, 2012, Cabot has made cash payments of $5 million related to these activities and expects to pay $1 million in fiscal 2013.

As of September 30, 2012, Cabot has $1 million of accrued restructuring costs in the Consolidated Balance Sheet related to these activities.

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Intangible Assets) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	$ 278		$ 5
Trademarks, indefinite lives	58	[1]
Gross Carrying Value	336		5
Accumulated Amortization	(6)		(2)
Net Intangible Assets	272		3
Net Intangible Assets	330		3
Developed Technology [Member]
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	151	[1]
Accumulated Amortization	(2)	[1]
Net Intangible Assets	149	[1]
Customer Relationships [Member]
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	121	[1]
Accumulated Amortization	(1)	[1]
Net Intangible Assets	120	[1]
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	6		5
Accumulated Amortization	(3)		(2)
Net Intangible Assets	$ 3		$ 3

[1] Developed technology, Customer relationships and Trademarks relate to the acquisition of Norit in fiscal 2012.

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Earnings Per Share (Components of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Basic EPS:
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$ 36	$ 66	$ 240	$ 46	$ 50	$ 60	$ 51	$ 75	$ 388		$ 236		$ 154
Less: Dividends and dividend equivalents to participating securities											1		1
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities									3	[1]	2	[1]	2	[1]
Earnings allocated to common shareholders (numerator)									385		233		151
Weighted average common shares and participating securities outstanding									64.0		65.4		65.3
Less: Participating securities									0.6	[1]	0.8	[1]	1.5	[1]
Adjusted weighted average common shares (denominator)									63.4		64.6		63.8
Income from continuing operations attributable to Cabot Corporation									$ 2.87		$ 2.80		$ 1.96
Income from discontinued operations									$ 3.20		$ 0.82		$ 0.41
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation									$ 6.07		$ 3.62		$ 2.37
Diluted EPS:
Earnings allocated to common shareholders									385		233		151
Plus: Earnings allocated to participating securities									3		3		3
Less: Adjusted earnings allocated to participating securities									(3)	[2]	(3)	[2]	(3)	[2]
Earnings available to common shares (numerator)									$ 385		$ 233		$ 151
Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding									63.4		64.6		63.8
Common shares issuable									0.8	[3]	0.8	[3]	0.5	[3]
Adjusted weighted average common shares (denominator)									64.2		65.4		64.3
Income from continuing operations attributable to Cabot Corporation	$ 0.54	$ 0.96	$ 0.78	$ 0.55	$ 0.64	$ 0.73	$ 0.52	$ 0.88	$ 2.83		$ 2.77		$ 1.94
Income from discontinued operations	$ 0.02	$ 0.06	$ 2.92	$ 0.16	$ 0.12	$ 0.19	$ 0.24	$ 0.25	$ 3.16		$ 0.80		$ 0.41
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$ 0.56	$ 1.02	$ 3.70	$ 0.71	$ 0.76	$ 0.92	$ 0.76	$ 1.13	$ 5.99		$ 3.57		$ 2.35

[1] Participating securities consist of shares of unvested restricted stock, vested restricted stock awards held by employees in which Cabot has a security interest, and unvested time-based restricted stock units.

[2] Undistributed earnings are adjusted for the assumed distribution of dividends to the dilutive securities, which are described in (3) below, and then reallocated to participating securities.

[3] Represents incremental shares of common stock from the (i) assumed exercise of stock options issued under Cabot's equity incentive plans; (ii) assumed issuance of shares to employees pursuant to the Company's Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan; and (iii) assumed issuance of shares for outstanding and achieved performance-based stock unit awards issued under Cabot's equity incentive plans using the treasury stock method. For fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively, 395,532 and 253,000 incremental shares of common stock were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the inclusion of these shares would have been antidilutive. For fiscal 2010, 193,000 incremental shares of common stock were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because those shares' exercise prices were greater than the average market price of Cabot common stock for that period.

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Consolidated Statement Of Changes In Stockholders' Equity And Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, except Share data in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Deferred Employee Benefits [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Total Cabot Corporation Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Non-controlling Interest [Member]	Comprehensive Income [Member]
Beginning Balance at Sep. 30, 2009	$ 1,237	$ 63	$ 18	$ 1,018	$ (25)	$ 60	$ 1,134	$ 103
Beginning Balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2009		65,309
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	154			154					154
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax						43			43
Change in employee benefit plans, net of tax						(15)			(15)
Total other comprehensive income									28
Comprehensive income attributable to Cabot Corporation							182		182
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	15							15	15
Noncontrolling interests - foreign currency translation adjustment								2	2
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									17
Comprehensive income	199								199
Noncontrolling interest-other	1							1
Noncontrolling interest - dividends	(6)							(6)
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders	(47)			(47)			(47)
Issuance of stock under employee compensation plans, net of forfeitures	9	1	8				9
Issuance of stock under employee compensation plans, net of forfeitures, Shares		283
Amortization of share-based compensation	18		18				18
Purchase and retirement of common and treasury stock	(5)	(1)	(4)				(5)
Purchase and retirement of common and treasury stock, Shares		(222)
Principal payment by Employee Stock Ownership Plan under guaranteed loan	5				5		5
Notes receivable for restricted stock-payments	6		6				6
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2010	1,417	63	46	1,125	(20)	88	1,302	115
Ending Balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2010		65,370
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	236			236					236
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax						19			19
Change in unrealized loss on investments and derivative instruments, net of tax						(1)			(1)
Total other comprehensive income									18
Comprehensive income attributable to Cabot Corporation							254		254
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	22							22	22
Noncontrolling interests - foreign currency translation adjustment								3	3
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									25
Comprehensive income	279								279
Noncontrolling interest - dividends	(11)							(11)
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders	(47)			(47)			(47)
Issuance of stock under employee compensation plans, net of forfeitures	8	1	7				8
Issuance of stock under employee compensation plans, net of forfeitures, Shares		294
Amortization of share-based compensation	17		17				17
Purchase and retirement of common and treasury stock	(59)	(1)	(58)				(59)
Purchase and retirement of common and treasury stock, Shares		(1,803)
Principal payment by Employee Stock Ownership Plan under guaranteed loan	6				6		6
Notes receivable for restricted stock-payments	6		6				6
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	1,616	63	18	1,314	(14)	106	1,487	129
Ending Balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2011		63,861
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	388			388					388
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax						4			4
Change in unrealized loss on investments and derivative instruments, net of tax						(1)			(1)
Change in employee benefit plans, net of tax						(17)			(17)
Total other comprehensive income									(14)
Comprehensive income attributable to Cabot Corporation							374		374
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	18							18	18
Noncontrolling interests - foreign currency translation adjustment								(1)	(1)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									17
Comprehensive income	391								391
Noncontrolling interest-other	4							4
Noncontrolling interest - dividends	(24)							(24)
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders	(49)			(49)			(49)
Issuance of stock under employee compensation plans, net of forfeitures	15	2	13				15
Issuance of stock under employee compensation plans, net of forfeitures, Shares		611
Amortization of share-based compensation	15		15				15
Purchase and retirement of common and treasury stock	(36)	(9)	(27)				(36)
Purchase and retirement of common and treasury stock, Shares		(1,124)
Principal payment by Employee Stock Ownership Plan under guaranteed loan	6				6		6
Notes receivable for restricted stock-payments	1		1				1
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 1,939	$ 56	$ 20	$ 1,653	$ (8)	$ 92	$ 1,813	$ 126
Ending Balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2012		63,348

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Consolidated Statements Of Operations (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies tax amount	$ 5	$ 5	$ 4
Income from discontinued operations tax amount	116	29	16
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests tax amount	$ 7	$ 4	$ 3

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Debt and Other Obligations

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Debt and Other Obligations

Note I. Debt and Other Obligations

The Company’s long-term obligations, the calendar year in which they mature and their respective interest rates are summarized below:

	September 30
	2012			2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Variable Rate Debt:
$750 million Revolving Credit Facility, expires 2016	$	189		$	—
Chinese Renminbi Notes, due through 2016, 5.40%—7.32%		11			15
Total variable rate debt		200			15
Fixed Rate Debt:
5% Notes due 2016	$	300		$	300
2.55% Notes due 2018		250			—
3.7% Notes due 2022		350			—
Medium Term Notes:
Notes due 2012, 7.70%—8.28%	$	—		$	30
Notes due 2018, 7.42%		30			30
Notes due 2022, 8.346%—8.47%		15			15
Note due 2027, 6.57%—7.28%		8			8
Total Medium Term Notes		53			83
Eurobond, due 2013, 5.25%		177			178
ESOP Note, due 2013, 8.29%		8			14
Chinese Renminbi Notes, due 2014, 6.10%—6.65%		5			5
Other, due 2027, 2%		—			5
Total fixed rate debt		1,143			585
Capital lease obligations, due through 2040		16			15
Unamortized debt discount		(2	)		(2	)
Total debt		1,357			613
Less current portion of long-term debt		(185	)		(57	)
Total long-term debt	$	1,172		$	556

$750 million Revolving Credit Facility—The Company has a $750 million committed unsecured revolving credit agreement which expires in August 2016. All borrowings under the credit agreement are based on variable interest rates. Generally, the interest rates are based on LIBOR plus a spread. This spread, which was 1.125% as of September 30, 2012, is based on the Company’s credit rating, resulting in a total interest rate of 1.34% as of September 30, 2012. The Company plans to use the credit agreement for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, refinancing existing indebtedness, capital expenditures, share repurchases, and acquisitions. The credit agreement contains affirmative, negative and financial covenants and events of default customary for financings of this type. The financial covenants in the credit agreement include interest coverage, debt-to-EBITDA and subsidiary debt to total capitalization ratios. As of September 30, 2012, $189 million had been drawn against this facility, and less than $1 million that relates to the issuance of letters of credit is treated as drawn on the facility, leaving $560 million available on this facility.

Chinese Renminbi Debt—The Company’s consolidated Chinese subsidiaries had $16 million and $20 million of unsecured long-term debt outstanding as of September 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011, respectively.

5% Notes due 2016—In fiscal 2009, Cabot issued $300 million in public notes with a coupon of 5% that will mature on October 1, 2016. These notes are unsecured and pay interest on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The net proceeds of this offering were $296 million after deducting discounts and issuance costs. The discount of approximately $2 million was recorded at issuance and is being amortized over the life of the notes.

2.55% Notes due 2018—In July 2012, Cabot issued $250 million in public notes with a coupon of 2.55% that will mature on January 15, 2018. These notes are unsecured and pay interest on January 15 and July 15 of each year commencing January 15, 2013. The net proceeds of this offering were $248 million after deducting discounts and issuance costs. The discount of less than $1 million was recorded at issuance and is being amortized over the life of the notes.

3.7% Notes due 2022—In July 2012, Cabot issued $350 million in public notes with a coupon of 3.7% that will mature on July 15, 2022. These notes are unsecured and pay interest on January 15 and July 15 of each year commencing January 15, 2013. The net proceeds of this offering were $347 million after deducting discounts and issuance costs. The discount of less than $1 million was recorded at issuance and is being amortized over the life of the notes.

Medium Term Notes—At September 30, 2012 and 2011, there were $53 million and $83 million, respectively, of unsecured medium term notes outstanding issued to numerous lenders with various fixed interest rates and maturity dates. The weighted average maturity of the total outstanding medium term notes is 9 years with a weighted average interest rate of 7.65%.

Eurobond—A European subsidiary issued an unsecured $175 million U.S. dollar denominated bond with a fixed coupon rate of 5.25% in fiscal 2003. The functional currency of this subsidiary is the euro. The bond matures on September 1, 2013, with interest due on March 1 and September 1 of each year. A discount of approximately $1 million was recorded at issuance and is being amortized over the life of the bond. A portion of the eurobond is designated as a fair value hedge and accordingly is recorded at fair value. As described in Note L, the Company has entered into cross-currency swaps and a variable interest rate swap to hedge the variability in cash flows for changes in the exchange rates and to offset a portion of the changes in the fair value of the underlying debt.

ESOP Debt—In November 1988, Cabot’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) borrowed $75 million from an institutional lender in order to finance its purchase of Cabot shares. This debt bears interest at 8.29% per annum and is repaid in quarterly installments through December 31, 2013. Cabot, as guarantor, has reflected the outstanding balance of $8 million and $14 million as long-term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. An equal amount, representing deferred employee benefits, has been recorded as a reduction to stockholders’ equity. Cabot contributed $5 million to the ESOP to service the debt during fiscal 2012, and $4 million for each of fiscal 2011 and 2010. Dividends on ESOP shares used for debt service were $2 million during fiscal 2012 and 2011, and $3 million during fiscal 2010. In addition, interest incurred on the ESOP debt was $1 million, $1 million, and $2 million during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Capital Lease Obligations—Cabot had capital lease obligations for certain equipment and buildings with a present value of $16 million and $15 million at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Cabot will make payments totaling $30 million over the next 28 years, including $14 million of imputed interest under these obligations. At September 30, 2012 and 2011, the original cost of capital lease assets was $26 million and $24 million, respectively, and the associated accumulated depreciation of assets under capital leases was $11 million and $10 million at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The amortization related to assets under capital lease is included in depreciation expense.

Future Years Payment Schedule

The aggregate principal amounts of long-term debt and capital lease obligations due in each of the five years from fiscal 2013 through 2017 are as follows:

Fiscal Years Ending	Principal payments on long term debt		Payments on Capital Lease Obligations		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
2013	$	182	$	1	$	183
2014		17		1		18
2015		—		1		1
2016		189		1		190
2017		300		1		301
Thereafter		653		11		664
Total	$	1,341	$	16	$	1,357

Standby letters of credit—At September 30, 2012, the Company had provided standby letters of credit that were outstanding and not drawn totaling $20 million, which expire through fiscal 2014. The $20 million includes less than $1 million treated as issued under the Company’s revolving credit facility.

Short-term Notes Payable to Banks—The Company had unsecured short-term notes payable to banks of $62 million and $86 million as of September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, with maturities of less than one year. The weighted-average interest rate on short-term notes payable was 5.2% and 5.3% for fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively.

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Restructuring (Recorded Restructuring Activities) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, period expense	$ 15	$ 18	$ 46
Cost Of Sales [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, period expense	13	16	36
Selling And Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, period expense	2	2	10
Research And Technical Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, period expense

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Employee Benefit Plans (Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
U.S. Pension Benefits [Member]
Net losses (gains)	$ (3)	$ 2	$ 5
Prior service cost	(1)
Amortization of prior unrecognized loss	(1)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(5)	2	5
Foreign Pension Benefits [Member]
Net losses (gains)	27	1	12
Amortization of prior unrecognized loss	(3)	(3)	(2)
Other	1		1
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	25	(2)	11
U. S. Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Net losses (gains)	1	(1)	1
Prior service cost	1	(2)
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	3	4	4
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	5	1	5
Foreign Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Net losses (gains)	1	(1)
Prior service cost
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit
Amortization of prior unrecognized loss
Other
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	$ 1	$ (1)

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Employee Benefit Plans (Estimated Future Benefit Payments) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012
U.S. Pension Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
2013	$ 13
2014	12
2015	12
2016	13
2017	14
2018-2022	76
Foreign Pension Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
2013	17
2014	17
2015	19
2016	21
2017	20
2018-2022	116
U. S. Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
2013	6
2014	6
2015	6
2016	5
2017	5
2018-2022	22
Foreign Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
2013	1
2014	1
2015	1
2016	1
2017	1
2018-2022	$ 5

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Concentration of Credit Risk (Narrative) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 No Customer Of Concentration Risk [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 No Customer Of Concentration Risk [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Goodyear Tire And Rubber Company [Member]
Concentration of risk percentage	10.00%	10.00%
Net sales percentage			12.00%

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Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Net sales and other operating revenues	$ 848	$ 846	$ 844	$ 762	$ 833	$ 836	$ 739	$ 694	$ 3,300	[1]	$ 3,102	[1]	$ 2,716	[1]
Gross profit	157	175	173	143	141	152	134	131	648		558		510
Selling and administrative expenses	86	68	66	65	63	61	62	63	285		249		241
Research and technical expenses	19	17	20	17	17	16	18	15	73		66		65
Income from operations	52	90	87	61	61	75	54	53	290		243		204
Net interest expense and other charges	(16)	(12)	(11)	(6)	(14)	(13)	(6)	(7)	(45)		(40)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies	36	78	76	55	47	62	48	46	245		203		166
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		(16)	(23)	(16)	(2)	(10)	(9)	15	(55)		(6)		(30)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	3	4	3	1	2	2	1	3	11		8		7
Income from operations of discontinued operations, net of tax	1	4	189	11	8	13	16	16	205		53		26
Net income	40	70	245	51	55	67	56	80	406		258		169
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	4	4	5	5	5	7	5	5	18		22		15
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$ 36	$ 66	$ 240	$ 46	$ 50	$ 60	$ 51	$ 75	$ 388		$ 236		$ 154
Income from continuing operations	$ 0.54	$ 0.96	$ 0.78	$ 0.55	$ 0.64	$ 0.73	$ 0.52	$ 0.88	$ 2.83		$ 2.77		$ 1.94
Income from discontinued operations	$ 0.02	$ 0.06	$ 2.92	$ 0.16	$ 0.12	$ 0.19	$ 0.24	$ 0.25	$ 3.16		$ 0.80		$ 0.41
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$ 0.56	$ 1.02	$ 3.70	$ 0.71	$ 0.76	$ 0.92	$ 0.76	$ 1.13	$ 5.99		$ 3.57		$ 2.35

[1] Unallocated and other reflects royalties paid by equity affiliates, external shipping and handling fees, and the impact of the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue.

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Commitments and Contingencies (Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Commitments under Non-cancelable Leases) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
2013	$ 22
2014	17
2015	14
2016	10
2017	5
2018 and thereafter	27
Total future minimum rental commitments	$ 95

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Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Nov. 16, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	CBT
Entity Registrant Name	CABOT CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000016040
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		63,472,522
Entity Public Float			$ 2,685,813,177

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Financial Information by Segment & Geographic Area (Schedule of New Business Segment) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 210	$ 186	$ 186
Inkjet Colorants [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	66	65	57
Aerogel [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	18	24	24
Security Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	9	11	7
Elastomer Composites [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	23	17	17
Specialty Fluids [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 94	$ 69	$ 81

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Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Fair Value Measurements

Note J. Fair Value Measurements

The FASB authoritative guidance on fair value measurements defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The disclosures focus on the inputs used to measure fair value. The guidance establishes the following hierarchy for categorizing these inputs:

Level 1	—	Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2	—	Significant other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices for similar items in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar items in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable such as interest rate and yield curves, and market-corroborated inputs)
Level 3	—	Significant unobservable inputs

There were no transfers of financial assets or liabilities measured at fair value between Level 1 and Level 2, or transfers into or out of Level 3, during fiscal 2012 or 2011.

As described in Note D, the GAM Promissory Notes and Inventory Note were recorded at their fair value of $273 million at the closing date of the sale of the Supermetals Business to GAM. These notes are classified as Level 3 instruments within the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using a valuation model with significant unobservable inputs. See Note K for information on the valuation model and inputs used.

The following table presents information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2012 and 2011. The derivatives presented in the table below are presented by derivative type, net of the legal right to offset derivative settlements by each counterparty:

	September 30
	2012		2011
	Level 2		Level 2
	(Dollars in Millions)
Assets at fair value:
Guaranteed investment contract(1)	$	14	$	14
Derivatives relating to interest rates(2)		2		3
Total assets at fair value	$	16	$	17
Liabilities at fair value:
Derivatives relating to foreign currency(2)	$	28	$	41
Hedged long-term debt(3)		36		61
Total liabilities at fair value	$	64	$	102

⁽¹⁾  Included in “Other assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

⁽²⁾  Included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets”, “Other assets”, “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” or “Other liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

⁽³⁾  Included in “Current portion of long-term debt” and “Long-term debt” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Financial Instruments (Foreign Currency Risk Management) (Detail) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012 Eurobond 80% [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Eurobond 80% [Member] EUR (€)	Sep. 30, 2011 Eurobond 80% [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 Eurobond 80% [Member] EUR (€)	Sep. 30, 2012 Eurobond (20% of $175 million) [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Eurobond (20% of $175 million) [Member] EUR (€)	Sep. 30, 2011 Eurobond (20% of $175 million) [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 Eurobond (20% of $175 million) [Member] EUR (€)	Sep. 30, 2012 Forward Foreign Currency Contracts [Member] USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2011 Forward Foreign Currency Contracts [Member] USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt			$ 175		$ 175
Percentage of debt hedged by cross currency swaps			80.00%	80.00%	20.00%	20.00%
Notional amount of foreign currency derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	140	124	140	124	35	31	35	31	106	[1]	54	[1]
Notional Amount of Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Derivatives									$ 3	[1]	$ 12	[1]

[1] Cabot's forward foreign exchange contracts are denominated primarily in the Australian dollar, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi, Euro and Japanese yen.

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Employee Benefit Plans (Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
U.S. Pension Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss	$ 29	$ 34
Net prior service cost (credit)	1	1
Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income, pretax	30	35
Foreign Pension Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss	77	52
Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income, pretax	77	52
U. S. Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss	3	2
Net prior service cost (credit)	(10)	(14)
Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income, pretax	(7)	(12)
Foreign Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss	3	2
Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income, pretax	$ 3	$ 2

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 120	$ 286
Accounts and notes receivable, net of reserve for doubtful accounts of $5 and $4	687	659
Inventories	533	393
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	71	76
Deferred income taxes	32	35
Current assets held for sale		106
Total current assets	1,443	1,555
Property, plant and equipment	3,511	2,967
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,959)	(1,931)
Net property, plant and equipment	1,552	1,036
Goodwill	480	40
Equity affiliates	115	60
Intangible assets, net	330	3
Assets held for rent	46	46
Notes receivable from sale of business	242
Deferred income taxes	94	261
Other assets	97	101
Noncurrent assets held for sale		39
Total assets	4,399	3,141
Current liabilities:
Notes payable to banks	62	86
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	606	461
Income taxes payable	59	34
Deferred income taxes	7	6
Current portion of long-term debt	185	57
Current liabilities held for sale		12
Total current liabilities	919	656
Long-term debt	1,172	556
Deferred income taxes	55	8
Other liabilities	314	299
Noncurrent liabilities held for sale		6
Commitments and contingencies (Note T)
Preferred stock:
Authorized: 2,000,000 shares of $1 par value Issued and Outstanding: None and none
Common stock:
Authorized: 200,000,000 shares of $1 par value Issued: 63,600,928 and 63,894,443 shares Outstanding: 63,347,362 and 63,860,777 shares	64	64
Less cost of 253,565 and 33,666 shares of common treasury stock	(8)	(1)
Additional paid-in capital	20	18
Retained earnings	1,653	1,314
Deferred employee benefits	(8)	(14)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	92	106
Total Cabot Corporation stockholders' equity	1,813	1,487
Noncontrolling interests	126	129
Total stockholders' equity	1,939	1,616
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 4,399	$ 3,141

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Discontinued Operations

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Discontinued Operations

Note D. Discontinued Operations

In January 2012, the Company completed the sale of its Supermetals Business to Global Advanced Metals Pty Ltd., an Australian company (“GAM”), pursuant to a Sale and Purchase Agreement entered into between the Company and GAM in August 2011. The total minimum consideration for the sale was approximately $450 million, including cash consideration of $175 million received on the closing date. In addition, the Company (i) received two-year promissory notes, which may be prepaid by GAM at any time prior to maturity, for total aggregate payments of $215 million (consisting of principal, imputed interest and a prepayment penalty, if applicable), secured by liens on the property and assets of the acquired business and guaranteed by the GAM corporate group and (ii) will receive quarterly cash payments in each calendar quarter that the promissory notes are outstanding in an amount equal to 50% of cumulative year to date adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) of the acquired business for the relevant calendar quarter. Regardless of the Adjusted EBITDA generated, a minimum payment of $11.5 million is guaranteed in the first year following the closing of the transaction. Together, these notes are referred to as the “GAM Promissory Notes”.

Included in the $450 million minimum consideration the Company will receive for the sale of the business is approximately $50 million for the excess Supermetals inventory the Company sold to GAM in connection with the transaction. Payment for the excess inventory was made with a two-year promissory note (“Inventory Note”), which is also secured by liens on the property and assets of the acquired business and guaranteed by the GAM corporate group. The Inventory Note may be repaid at any time, and is subject to prepayment if excess cash flows, as defined in the agreement, are generated by the business. The Inventory Note bears interest of 10% per annum beginning January 2013. If the GAM Promissory Notes are prepaid in full, the Inventory Note must also be prepaid. Other than the $11.5 million guaranteed to be paid within the first year, the remaining balance of the GAM Promissory Notes and Inventory Note will mature in the second quarter of fiscal 2014.

The GAM Promissory Notes and Inventory Note (referred to collectively as the “GAM Notes”) were recorded at their fair value of $273 million at the closing date. The fair value of the GAM Notes was based on the timing of expected cash flows and appropriate discount rates. The difference between the carrying value of the GAM Notes and the contractual payment obligation (the discount) is being accreted into interest income over the term of the GAM Notes. Payments made while the GAM Promissory Notes are outstanding that are contingent upon the finalization of the annual Adjusted EBITDA calculation will be recognized into interest income when such amounts have been finalized. The carrying value of the GAM Notes at September 30, 2012 is $252 million, of which $10 million is included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2012 and $242 million is presented as Notes receivable from sale of business. As of September 30, 2012, the Company received $23 million payable under the GAM Notes.

The Company recorded an after-tax gain on the sale of $191 million, which is included in Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in fiscal 2012. Additional amounts relating to the settlement of pension obligations will be recognized as discontinued operations when settled.

The operating results of the Supermetals Business prior to the sale are reported within Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and have been excluded from segment results presented in Note V. The assets and liabilities associated with the Supermetals Business are presented as Assets held for sale and Liabilities held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2011.

The following table summarizes the results from discontinued operations:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Net sales and other operating revenues	$	46		$	201		$	177
Income from operations before income taxes		21			84			42
Provision for income taxes on operations		(7	)		(31	)		(16	)
Income from operations, net of tax	$	14		$	53		$	26
Gain on sale of discontinued operations		300			—			—
Provision for income taxes on gain on sale		(109	)		—			—
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax		191			—			—
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	205		$	53		$	26

The following table summarizes the assets and the liabilities held for sale in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2011:

	(in millions)
Assets
Accounts and notes receivable, net of reserve for doubtful accounts	$	41
Inventories		64
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1
Total current assets held for sale	$	106
Total noncurrent assets held for sale	$	39
Liabilities
Total current liabilities held for sale	$	12
Total noncurrent liabilities held for sale	$	6

In connection with the sale of the Supermetals Business, the Company and GAM entered into a tantalum ore supply agreement under which the Company will sell to GAM all of the tantalum ore produced at the Company’s mine in Manitoba, Canada, subject to a maximum amount, for a three-year period commencing in calendar year 2013. The future continuing cash flows to Cabot resulting from this agreement are not significant and do not constitute a material continuing financial interest in the Supermetals Business. Revenues, costs and expenses that will arise from the agreement will be included in the continuing operations of the Specialty Fluids Business.

The Company also entered into a short-term transition services agreement for the Company to provide certain information technology applications and infrastructure and various administrative services to GAM in exchange for one time and monthly service fees, which was completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.

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Acquisition of Norit

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Acquisition of Norit

Note C. Acquisition of Norit

On July 31, 2012, Cabot completed the acquisition of all the issued and outstanding shares of Norit N.V. (“Norit”) for approximately $1.1 billion in cash. Norit develops, manufactures and sells activated carbon products and related delivery systems used in a range of applications, including air and water purification, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals and catalysts. Cabot’s purchase of Norit supports the Company’s ongoing transformation to a less cyclical, specialty chemicals and performance materials company. The results of Norit’s operations are included in the Company’s consolidated results from the date of the acquisition forward and are reported under Purification Solutions.

The Company incurred acquisition costs of approximately $14 million through September 30, 2012 associated with the transaction, which are included in Selling and administrative expenses.

The allocation of the purchase price was based on preliminary estimates of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of July 31, 2012, as the Company is continuing to obtain information to complete its valuation of these accounts and the associated tax accounting. The components and preliminary allocation of the purchase price consist of the following amounts:

	(in millions)
Current assets	$	207
Property, plant and equipment		385
Other non-current assets		72
Intangible assets		325
Goodwill		432
Current liabilities		(98	)
Deferred non-current tax liabilities		(176	)
Other non-current liabilities		(34	)
Total purchase price	$	1,113

As part of the purchase price allocation, the Company determined that the separately identifiable intangible assets were customer relationships, developed technology, and trademarks in the amounts of $119 million, $149 million, and $57 million, respectively. Customer relationships and developed technology are being amortized over a weighted average period of 17 years and 20 years, respectively. Trademarks are considered to have an indefinite life and will be tested for impairment annually or when events or changes in the business environment indicate that the carrying value of the intangible assets may exceed their fair value.

The determination of the fair value of intangible assets acquired required the use of significant judgment with regard to (i) assumptions used in the determination of fair value; and (ii) determination of their useful lives. The Company estimated the fair value of identifiable acquisition-related intangible assets principally based on projections of cash flows that will arise from these assets. The projected cash flows are discounted to determine the fair value of the assets at the date of acquisition.

The fair value of the assets acquired includes trade receivables of $46 million. The Company did not acquire any other class of receivable as a result of the acquisition of Norit.

The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the tangible net assets and intangible assets acquired was recorded as goodwill. The goodwill recognized is attributable to the expected growth and operating synergies that the Company expects to realize from this acquisition. Goodwill generated from the acquisition will not be deductible for tax purposes.

The following table provides pro forma net sales and earnings for fiscal 2012 and 2011, as if Norit had been acquired on October 1, 2010. The unaudited pro forma results reflect certain adjustments related to the acquisition, such as increased depreciation and amortization expense on assets acquired from Norit resulting from recording the fair value of assets acquired, the impact of acquisition financing with the related tax effects, and certain reclassifications to conform with the current year’s presentation. The pro forma adjustments also include non-recurring adjustments in pro forma earnings of $19 million in 2011 related to the step-up of inventory values at the acquisition date. The pro forma results do not include any synergies or other effects of the planned integration of Norit. Accordingly, such pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the acquisition been completed on October 1, 2010, nor are they indicative of the future operating results of the combined company.

	September 30
	2012 (unaudited)		2011 (unaudited)
	(in millions, except per share amounts)
Net sales	$	3,585	$	3,449
Income from continuing operations(1)		209		226
Income from continuing operations per common share:
Basic	$	3.27	$	3.47
Diluted	$	3.23	$	3.42

⁽¹⁾  Norit recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $33 million in other income during its year ended December 31, 2011 in connection with a legal settlement.

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Stock-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Stock-Based Compensation

Note O. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has established equity compensation plans that provide stock-based compensation to eligible employees. The 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2009 Plan”), which was approved by Cabot’s stockholders on March 12, 2009 and amended on March 8, 2012, authorizes the issuance of approximately 8.9 million shares of common stock. This is the Company’s only equity incentive plan under which awards may currently be made to employees, although some awards made under the Company’s 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”) remain outstanding at September 30, 2012.

The terms of awards made under Cabot’s equity compensation plans are generally determined by the Compensation Committee of Cabot’s Board of Directors. The 2009 Plan allows for grants of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards to employees. The awards made in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 under the 2009 Plan consist of grants of stock options, time-based restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock units, and restricted stock units that will be settled in cash. The options were issued with an exercise price equal to 100% of the market price of Cabot’s common stock on the date of grant, vest over a three year period (30% on each of the first and second anniversaries of the date of grant and 40% on the third anniversary of the date of grant) and expire ten years after grant. The restricted stock units vest three years from the date of the grant. The number of shares issuable, if any, when a performance-based restricted stock unit award vests will depend on the degree of achievement (threshold, target or maximum performance) of the corporate performance metrics for each year within the three-year performance period of the award. Accordingly, future compensation costs associated with outstanding awards of performance-based restricted stock units may increase or decrease based on the probability of the Company achieving the performance metrics.

As of September 30, 2012, there were 56,892 outstanding time-based and performance-based restricted stock units which will be settled by the payment of cash. Compensation expense related to these awards is remeasured throughout the vesting period and until ultimate settlement of the award. Cumulative compensation and the associated liability is recorded equal to the fair value of Cabot common stock multiplied by the applicable vesting percentage. The Company recorded liabilities associated with these cash settled awards of $1 million at both September 30, 2012 and 2011.

Prior to 2009, the principal awards made under the Company’s equity plans consisted of grants of restricted stock and stock options. The shares of restricted stock were generally purchased by the employee at a price equal to 30% of the market price of Cabot’s common stock on the date of grant, with vesting dates three years after the date of grant. The stock options issued prior to 2009 were issued with an exercise price equal to 100% of the market price of Cabot’s common stock on the date of grant, vest three years after the date of grant and expire five years after grant.

Stock-based employee compensation expense was $10 million, $10 million and $11 million, after tax, for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company recognized the full impact of its stock-based employee compensation expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 and did not capitalize any such costs on the Consolidated Balance Sheets because those that qualified for capitalization were not material. The following table presents stock-based compensation expenses included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Cost of Sales	$	5		$	5		$	6
Selling and administrative expenses		9			9			11
Research and technical expenses		1			1			1
Stock-based compensation expense		15			15			18
Income tax benefit		(5	)		(5	)		(7	)
Net stock-based compensation expense	$	10		$	10		$	11

As of September 30, 2012, Cabot has $14 million, $2 million and less than $1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock units, non-vested options and non-vested restricted stock, respectively, granted under the Company’s equity incentive plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years, 0.8 years and 0.9 years for non-vested restricted stock units, non-vested options and the non-vested restricted stock, respectively.

Equity Incentive Plan Activity

The following table summarizes the total stock option, restricted stock, and restricted stock unit activity in the equity incentive plans for fiscal 2012:

	September 30, 2012
	Stock Options							Restricted Stock					Restricted Stock Units
	Total Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Restricted Stock			Weighted Average Grant  Date Fair Value		Restricted Stock Units (1)			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	(Shares in thousands)
Outstanding at September 30, 2011		1,772		$	21.96		$6.06		3		$	9.56		866		$	28.89
Granted		284			32.95		11.64		—			—		405			33.15
Performance-based adjustment(2)		—			—		—		—			—		10			25.93
Exercised / Vested		(434	)		19.95		4.72		(1	)		9.56		(15	)		25.64
Cancelled / Forfeited		(43	)		33.64		8.26		—			—		(35	)		29.70
Outstanding at September 30, 2012		1,579			24.17		7.37		2			9.56		1,231			30.28
Exercisable at September 30, 2012		983			20.03
Expected to vest(3)		561			30.95

⁽¹⁾  The number “Granted” represents the number of shares issuable upon vesting of time-based restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units, assuming the Company performs at the target performance level in each year of the three-year performance period.

⁽²⁾  Represents the net incremental number of shares issuable upon vesting of outstanding performance-based restricted stock units, based on the Company’s actual performance against the performance targets for the 2012 performance period of the outstanding units.

⁽³⁾  Stock options expected to vest in the future, net of estimated forfeitures, have a weighted average remaining contractual life of 8.3 years.

Stock Options

The following table summarizes information related to the total outstanding options and the vested options on September 30, 2012:

	Total Options Outstanding		Exercisable Options
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)	$	20	$	16
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)		7.3		6.7

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value, based on the Company’s closing common stock price of $36.57 on September 28, 2012, which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options and immediately sold their shares on that date.

The intrinsic value of options exercised during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $9 million, $3 million and $1 million, respectively, and the Company received cash of $9 million, $4 million and $3 million, respectively, from these exercises.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of the options at the grant date. The estimated weighted average grant date fair values of options granted during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $11.64, $12.09, and $7.41 per option, respectively. The fair values on the grant date were calculated using the following weighted-average assumptions:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
Expected stock price volatility		45	%		43	%		42	%
Risk free interest rate		1.3	%		1.8	%		2.8	%
Expected life of options (years)		6			6			6
Expected annual dividends per year	$	0.72		$	0.72		$	0.72

The expected stock price volatility assumption was determined using the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock over the expected life of the option. The expected term reflects the anticipated time period between the measurement date and the exercise date or post-vesting cancellation date.

Restricted Stock Units

The value of restricted stock unit awards is the closing stock price at the date of the grant. The estimated weighted average grant date fair values of restricted stock unit awards granted during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $33.15, $34.76 and $24.49, respectively. The intrinsic value of restricted stock units (meaning the fair value of the units on the date of vest) that vested during fiscal 2012 and 2011 were $1 million and less than $1 million, respectively. No restricted stock units vested during fiscal 2010.

Restricted Stock

The fair value of restricted stock awards is derived by calculating the difference between the share price and the purchase price at the date of the grant. There were no restricted stock awards granted during fiscal 2012, 2011 or 2010. The intrinsic value of restricted stock that vested during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 was less than $1 million, $27 million and $11 million, respectively.

Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan

Cabot’s Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan (“SRSP”) provides benefits to highly compensated employees in circumstances in which the maximum limits established under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code prevent them from receiving all of the Company matching and ESOP contributions that would otherwise be provided under the qualified Retirement Savings Plan. The SRSP is non-qualified and unfunded. Contributions under the SRSP are treated as if invested in Cabot common stock. The majority of the distributions made under the SRSP are required to be paid with shares of Cabot common stock. The remaining distributions, which relate to certain grandfathered accounts, will be paid in cash based on the market price of Cabot common stock at the time of distribution. The aggregate value of the accounts that will be paid out in stock, which is equivalent to approximately 110,000 and 125,000 shares of Cabot common stock as of September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, is reflected at historic cost in stockholders’ equity, and the aggregate value of the accounts that will be paid in cash, which is $1 million as of both September 30, 2012 and 2011, is reflected in other long-term liabilities and marked-to-market quarterly.

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Note K. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at September 30, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

	2012				2011
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(Dollars in millions)
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	120	$	120	$	286	$	286
GAM Promissory Notes and Inventory Note		252		252		—		—
Accounts and notes receivable		687		687		659		659
Derivative instruments		—		—		1		1
Liabilities:
Notes payable to banks		62		62		86		86
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		606		606		461		461
Long-term debt—fixed rate		1,141		1,221		585		633
Long-term debt—floating rate		200		200		15		15
Capital lease obligations		16		16		15		15
Derivative instruments		26		26		39		39

At September 30, 2012 and 2011, the fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and notes payable to banks approximated carrying values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The estimated fair values of derivative instruments are valued as described in Note L. The fair value of Cabot’s fixed rate long-term debt and capital lease obligations are estimated based on comparable quoted market prices at the respective period ends. The carrying amount of Cabot’s floating rate long-term debt approximates its fair value. As discussed in Note J, other than the GAM Promissory Notes and Inventory Note, all such measurements are based on observable inputs and are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The valuation technique used is the discounted cash flow model.

As described in Note J, the GAM Promissory Notes and Inventory Note are classified as Level 3 instruments within the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using a valuation model with significant unobservable inputs. The fair value of the GAM Notes was $252 million at September 30, 2012. The valuation used is the discounted cash flow model and the significant inputs are the discount rate, Adjusted EBITDA forecast of GAM’s operations, and the timing of expected cash flows from GAM.

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Venezuela (Narrative) (Detail) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 VEF	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Affiliate, Venezuela [Member]
Nature Of Operations [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage			49.00%
Operating affiliate investment	$ 25
Due from affiliates, dividends receivable	$ 5	21
Venezuelan Bolivar exchange rate to one USD	$ 4.30

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Note G. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Cabot had goodwill balances of $480 million and $40 million at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each reportable segment with goodwill balances and the changes in those balances during the years ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

	Reinforcement Materials		Performance Materials		Advanced Technologies		Purification Solutions		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Balance at September 30, 2010	$	27	$	11	$	1	$	—	$	39
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other		—		—		1		—		1
Balance at September 30, 2011		27		11		2		—		40
Goodwill acquired(1)		—		—		—		432		432
Foreign currency translation adjustment		1		—		—		7		8
Balance at September 30, 2012	$	28	$	11	$	2	$	439	$	480

⁽¹⁾  Goodwill acquired relates to the acquisition of Norit in fiscal 2012.

Goodwill impairment tests are performed at least annually. The Company performed its annual impairment assessment as of March 31, 2012 and determined there was no impairment. During the third quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company changed its annual goodwill impairment testing date from March 31 to May 31, which did not result in any delay, acceleration or avoidance of impairment. The Company believes this date of the annual goodwill impairment test is preferable because it aligns with the timing of the Company’s annual strategic planning process. This change was applied prospectively beginning on May 31, 2012; retrospective application to prior periods is impracticable as the Company is unable to objectively determine, without the use of hindsight, the assumptions that would have been used in those earlier periods. In connection with this change, the Company performed an impairment assessment as of May 31, 2012 and concluded that there was no impairment.

The following table provides information regarding the Company’s intangible assets:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012							2011
	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Intangible Assets		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Intangible Assets
	(Dollars in millions)
Intangible assets with finite lives
Developed technology(1)	$	151	$	(2	)	$	149	$	—	$	—		$	—
Customer relationships(1)		121		(1	)		120		—		—			—
Other intangible assets		6		(3	)		3		5		(2	)		3
Total intangible assets, finite lives	$	278	$	(6	)	$	272	$	5	$	(2	)	$	3
Trademarks, indefinite lives(1)		58		—			58		—		—			—
Total intangible assets	$	336	$	(6	)	$	330	$	5	$	(2	)	$	3

⁽¹⁾  Developed technology, Customer relationships and Trademarks relate to the acquisition of Norit in fiscal 2012.

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from six to twenty years, with a weighted average amortization period of 18 years. See Note C for weighted average lives of intangible assets acquired in connection with the acquisition of Norit. Amortization expense for the year ended September 30, 2012 was $3 million and is included in Cost of sales and Selling and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Amortization expense amounted to less than $1 million in each of fiscal 2011 and 2010 and is included in Cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Total amortization expense is estimated to be approximately $15 million each year for the next five fiscal years.

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Discontinued Operations (Components Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues									$ 46	$ 201	$ 177
Income from operations before income taxes									21	84	42
Provision for income taxes on operations									(7)	(31)	(16)
Income from operations, net of tax									14	53	26
Gain on sale of discontinued operations									300
Provision for income taxes on gain on sale									(109)
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax									191
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 1	$ 4	$ 189	$ 11	$ 8	$ 13	$ 16	$ 16	$ 205	$ 53	$ 26

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Earnings Per Share (Calculation of Undistributed Earnings) (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Incremental shares of common stock	395,532	253,000	193,000

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Inventories

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Inventories

Note E. Inventories

Inventories, net of LIFO reserves, are as follows:

	September 30
	2012		2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Raw materials	$	131	$	120
Work in process		5		3
Finished goods		351		233
Other		46		37
Total	$	533	$	393

Inventories valued under the LIFO method comprised approximately 5% and 8% of total inventories at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. At September 30, 2012 and 2011, the LIFO reserve was $52 million and $53 million, respectively. Other inventory is comprised of certain spare parts and supplies.

During fiscal 2012, inventory quantities carried on a LIFO basis were reduced at the Company’s U.S. carbon black sites. These reductions led to liquidations of LIFO inventory quantities and resulted in a decrease of cost of goods sold of $1 million and an increase in consolidated net income of $1 million ($0.01 per diluted common share). No such reductions occurred in fiscal 2011 or 2010.

Cabot reviews inventory for both potential obsolescence and potential loss of value periodically. In this review, Cabot makes assumptions about the future demand for and market value of the inventory and, based on these assumptions, estimates the amount of obsolete, unmarketable or slow moving inventory. The inventory reserves were $15 million and $10 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2012 and 2011.

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Property, Plant and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Property, Plant and Equipment

Note F. Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is summarized as follows:

	September 30
	2012			2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Land and land improvements	$	167		$	73
Buildings		495			479
Machinery and equipment		2,379			2,076
Other		226			162
Construction in progress		244			177
Total property, plant and equipment		3,511			2,967
Less: accumulated depreciation		(1,959	)		(1,931	)
Net property, plant and equipment	$	1,552		$	1,036

Depreciation expense was $153 million, $138 million and $137 million for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

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Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities and Other Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities and Other Liabilities

Note H. Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities and Other Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities included in current liabilities consist of the following:

	September 30
	2012		2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Accounts payable	$	425	$	330
Accrued employee compensation		46		44
Accrued severance and restructuring		5		11
Other accrued liabilities		130		76
Total	$	606	$	461

Other long-term liabilities consist of the following:

	September 30
	2012		2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Employee benefit plan liabilities	$	190	$	161
Non-current tax liabilities		53		50
Financial instrument liabilities		26		39
Other accrued liabilities		45		49
Total	$	314	$	299

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Property Plant and Equipment (Components of Property, Plant and Equipment) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Land and land improvements	$ 167	$ 73
Buildings	495	479
Machinery and equipment	2,379	2,076
Other	226	162
Construction in progress	244	177
Total property, plant and equipment	3,511	2,967
Less: accumulated depreciation	(1,959)	(1,931)
Net property, plant and equipment	$ 1,552	$ 1,036

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Commitments and Contingencies (Schedule of Raw Material Purchased under Long Term Purchase Agreements) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Raw Material Purchased Under Long Term Purchase Agreements [Line Items]
Raw material purchased	$ 370		$ 358	$ 336
Reinforcement Materials [Member]
Raw Material Purchased Under Long Term Purchase Agreements [Line Items]
Raw material purchased	312		340	294
Performance Materials [Member]
Raw Material Purchased Under Long Term Purchase Agreements [Line Items]
Raw material purchased	47		18	36
Purification Solutions [Member]
Raw Material Purchased Under Long Term Purchase Agreements [Line Items]
Raw material purchased	4	[1]
Advanced Technologies [Member]
Raw Material Purchased Under Long Term Purchase Agreements [Line Items]
Raw material purchased	6			6
Other [Member]
Raw Material Purchased Under Long Term Purchase Agreements [Line Items]
Raw material purchased	$ 1

[1] The year ended September 30, 2012 includes two months of purchases for Norit.

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Employee Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined contribution plans, expenses not related to ESOP	$ 7	$ 7	$ 9
Percentage of company funded under ESOP	100.00%
Shares allocated under ESOP	108,697
Compensation expense related to the ESOP	5	4	4
Net loss amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income to net periodic benefit cost	6
Amortization of estimated prior service credits	3
Curtailments gain (loss)		1	1
Maximum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Curtailments gain (loss)	1
U.S.defined benefit plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	187	140
Weighted-average assumed health care cost trend rate	8.50%
Ultimate weighted-average health care cost trend rate	5.00%
U.S.defined benefit plans [Member] | Equity [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of weighted-average target asset allocation in cash and other securities	61.00%
U.S.defined benefit plans [Member] | Fixed Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of weighted-average target asset allocation in cash and other securities	39.00%
Foreign Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	398	218
Weighted-average assumed health care cost trend rate	7.90%
Ultimate weighted-average health care cost trend rate	6.00%
Foreign Plans [Member] | Equity [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of weighted-average target asset allocation in cash and other securities	39.00%
Foreign Plans [Member] | Fixed Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of weighted-average target asset allocation in cash and other securities	55.00%
Foreign Plans [Member] | Cash and other securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of weighted-average target asset allocation in cash and other securities	4.00%
Foreign Plans [Member] | Real Estate Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of weighted-average target asset allocation in cash and other securities	2.00%
U.S. Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected contribution	1
Foreign Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected contribution	$ 12

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012 Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Minimum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Maximum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Maximum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Maximum [Member]
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 480,000,000	$ 40,000,000	$ 39,000,000
Goodwill annual impairment	0
Useful life of intangible assets		18 years				6 years	20 years
Amortization of Intangible assets					3,000,000			1,000,000	1,000,000
Amortization expense estimated for year one		15,000,000
Amortization expense estimated for year two		15,000,000
Amortization expense estimated for year three		15,000,000
Amortization expense estimated for year four		15,000,000
Amortization expense estimated for year five		$ 15,000,000

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Stock-Based Compensation (Weighted-Average Assumptions) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Expected stock price volatility	45.00%	43.00%	42.00%
Risk free interest rate	1.30%	1.80%	2.80%
Expected life of options (years)	6 years	6 years	6 years
Expected annual dividends per year	$ 0.72	$ 0.72	$ 0.72

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Inventories (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Inventories [Line Items]
Inventory valued under the LIFO method	5.00%				8.00%				5.00%	8.00%
Inventory, LIFO reserve	$ 52				$ 53				$ 52	$ 53
Decrease in cost of goods sold									1	0	0
Effect of LIFO inventory liquidation on income									1
Liquidation of LIFO inventory, resulted per diluted common share	$ 0.56	$ 1.02	$ 3.70	$ 0.71	$ 0.76	$ 0.92	$ 0.76	$ 1.13	$ 5.99	$ 3.57	$ 2.35
Obsolete inventory reserve	$ 15				$ 10				$ 15	$ 10
Inventory Valuation and Obsolescence [Member]
Inventories [Line Items]
Liquidation of LIFO inventory, resulted per diluted common share									$ 0.01

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Employee Benefit Plans (Net Periodic Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
U.S. Pension Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 5	$ 5	$ 5
Interest cost	7	6	7
Expected return on plan assets	(9)	(8)	(9)
Net losses (gains)	1
Settlements or curtailments cost (income)	1
Net periodic benefit cost	5	3	3
Foreign Pension Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Service cost	7	6	5
Interest cost	11	11	11
Expected return on plan assets	(13)	(13)	(11)
Net losses (gains)	3	3	2
Settlements or curtailments cost (income)	1		1
Other	(1)	2
Net periodic benefit cost	9	9	8
U. S. Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Service cost	1	1	1
Interest cost	2	2	3
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(3)	(3)	(4)
Settlements or curtailments cost (income)	(1)
Net periodic benefit cost	(1)
Foreign Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Interest cost	1	1	1
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1

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Financial Information by Segment & Geographic Area (Schedule of Income (Loss) Before Taxes for Unallocated and Other) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Interest expense									$ (46)		$ (39)		$ (40)
Equity in net earnings of affiliated companies(b)	3	4	3	1	2	2	1	3	11		8		7
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies	36	78	76	55	47	62	48	46	245		203		166
Unallocated And Other [Member]
Interest expense									(46)		(39)		(40)
Certain items									(51)	[1]	(19)	[1]	(53)	[1]
Equity in net earnings of affiliated companies(b)									(11)	[2]	(8)	[2]	(7)	[2]
Unallocated corporate costs									(56)	[3]	(53)	[3]	(48)	[3]
General unallocated (expense) income											(32)	[4]
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies									$ (164)		$ (151)		$ (148)

[1] Certain items are items that management does not consider to be representative of segment results and they are, therefore, excluded from Segment EBIT. Certain items, pre-tax, for fiscal 2012 primarily include $17 million related to global restructuring activities, $26 million for acquisition related charges (consisting of $14 million of legal and professional fees disclosed in Note C, $3 million for certain other one-time integration costs and $9 million of additional charges related to acquisition accounting adjustments for the acquired inventory), $4 million for environmental and legal reserves, and a $4 million addition in the reserve for respirator claims. Certain items, pre-tax, for fiscal 2011 primarily include charges for global restructuring activities discussed in Note P. Certain items, pre-tax, for fiscal 2010 include $46 million related to global restructuring activities, $3 million for environmental reserves and legal settlements, $2 million long-lived asset impairment of land related to a former carbon black site, and a $2 million addition in the reserve for respirator claims.

[2] Equity in net income of affiliated companies is included in segment EBIT and is removed from Unallocated and other to reconcile to income (loss) from operations before taxes.

[3] Unallocated corporate costs are not controlled by the segments and primarily benefit corporate interests.

[4] General unallocated (expense) income consists of gains (losses) arising from foreign currency transactions, net of other foreign currency risk management activities, the impact of accounting for certain inventory on a LIFO basis, and the profit or loss related to the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue. Additionally, for fiscal 2011, this amount included a $3 million charge related to a change in the net worth tax regulations in Colombia, and $3 million related to a portion of the benefit from a legal judgment.

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Acquisition of Norit (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Components and Allocation of the Purchase Price

The components and preliminary allocation of the purchase price consist of the following amounts:

	(in millions)
Current assets	$	207
Property, plant and equipment		385
Other non-current assets		72
Intangible assets		325
Goodwill		432
Current liabilities		(98	)
Deferred non-current tax liabilities		(176	)
Other non-current liabilities		(34	)
Total purchase price	$	1,113

Pro Forma Net Sales and Results of Operations

The following table provides pro forma net sales and earnings for fiscal 2012 and 2011, as if Norit had been acquired on October 1, 2010. The unaudited pro forma results reflect certain adjustments related to the acquisition, such as increased depreciation and amortization expense on assets acquired from Norit resulting from recording the fair value of assets acquired, the impact of acquisition financing with the related tax effects, and certain reclassifications to conform with the current year’s presentation. The pro forma adjustments also include non-recurring adjustments in pro forma earnings of $19 million in 2011 related to the step-up of inventory values at the acquisition date. The pro forma results do not include any synergies or other effects of the planned integration of Norit. Accordingly, such pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the acquisition been completed on October 1, 2010, nor are they indicative of the future operating results of the combined company.

	September 30
	2012 (unaudited)		2011 (unaudited)
	(in millions, except per share amounts)
Net sales	$	3,585	$	3,449
Income from continuing operations(1)		209		226
Income from continuing operations per common share:
Basic	$	3.27	$	3.47
Diluted	$	3.23	$	3.42

⁽¹⁾  Norit recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $33 million in other income during its year ended December 31, 2011 in connection with a legal settlement.

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Concentration of Credit Risk (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Schedule of Account Receivable

Tire manufacturers comprise a significant portion of Cabot’s trade receivable balance. The accounts receivable balance for these significant customers are as follows:

	September 30
	2012		2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Tire manufacturers	$	346	$	318

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Venezuela

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Venezuela

Note M. Venezuela

Cabot owns 49% of an operating affiliate in Venezuela, which is accounted for as an equity affiliate, through wholly owned subsidiaries that carry the investment and receive its dividends. As of September 30, 2012 these subsidiaries carried the operating affiliate investment of $25 million, and held 21 million bolivars ($5 million) in cash.

Cabot determined, as of January 1, 2010, that the Venezuelan economy was highly inflationary. Accordingly, since the second quarter of fiscal 2010, Cabot has remeasured all transactions of the operating affiliate denominated in bolivars to U.S. dollars using the rate of 4.30 B/$ which continues to be the exchange rate in effect on September 30, 2012.

Given the uncertainties around the convertibility of the Venezuelan bolivar to the U.S. dollar and the ability of entities to actually repatriate U.S. dollars from Venezuela, the Company has endeavored, whenever possible, to repatriate the Company’s cash from its Venezuelan subsidiaries using available mechanisms. At the same time, management has closely monitored its investment in the operating affiliate in Venezuela to ensure that the investment continues to be recoverable. The Company still intends to convert substantially all bolivars held by its Venezuelan subsidiaries to U.S. dollars as soon as practical and continues to monitor for opportunities to convert its bolivars through Venezuelan government, or government-backed, bond offerings.

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Income Taxes (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			36 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2009
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net tax settlements and investment incentive tax credits	$ 11	$ 38	$ 17	$ 11
Tax Benefits from repatriation of high taxed income	8	24		8
Tax settlements	3	14		3
Net tax charge for other miscellaneous items			1
Net operating loss carryforwards	840			840
Other tax credit carryforwards	73			73
Net deferred tax assets	64			64
Tax credits	86			221
Required future taxable operating income	403
Expected term to realize deferred tax asset, years	20 years
Increased/(decreased) valuation allowance	31	12	6
Unrecognized tax benefits	55	65	75	55	81
Unrecognized tax benefits, recorded	39			39
Unrecognized tax benefits, not recorded	16			16
Accruals for penalties	3	3		3
Accruals for interest	15	14		15
Favorable impact on tax provision	44
Total penalties and interest	3	3	3
Non- U.S. Subsidiaries [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Undistributed earnings	1,073			1,073
U.S. Management [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net deferred tax assets	$ 49			$ 49

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Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Earnings Per Share

Note R. Earnings Per Share

The following tables summarize the components of the basic and diluted earnings per common share computations:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(In millions, except per share amounts)
Basic EPS:
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	388		$	236		$	154
Less: Dividends and dividend equivalents to participating securities		—			1			1
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities(1)		3			2			2
Earnings allocated to common shareholders (numerator)	$	385		$	233		$	151
Weighted average common shares and participating securities outstanding		64.0			65.4			65.3
Less: Participating securities(1)		0.6			0.8			1.5
Adjusted weighted average common shares (denominator)		63.4			64.6			63.8
Per share amounts—basic:
Income from continuing operations attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	2.87		$	2.80		$	1.96
Income from discontinued operations		3.20			0.82			0.41
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	6.07		$	3.62		$	2.37
Diluted EPS:
Earnings allocated to common shareholders	$	385		$	233		$	151
Plus: Earnings allocated to participating securities		3			3			3
Less: Adjusted earnings allocated to participating securities(2)		(3	)		(3	)		(3	)
Earnings available to common shares (numerator)	$	385		$	233		$	151
Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding		63.4			64.6			63.8
Effect of dilutive securities:
Common shares issuable(3)		0.8			0.8			0.5
Adjusted weighted average common shares (denominator)		64.2			65.4			64.3
Per share amounts—diluted:
Income from continuing operations attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	2.83		$	2.77		$	1.94
Income from discontinued operations		3.16			0.80			0.41
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	5.99		$	3.57		$	2.35

⁽¹⁾  Participating securities consist of shares of unvested restricted stock, vested restricted stock awards held by employees in which Cabot has a security interest, and unvested time-based restricted stock units.

Undistributed earnings are the earnings which remain after dividends declared during the period are assumed to be distributed to the common and participating shareholders. Undistributed earnings are allocated to common and participating shareholders on the same basis as dividend distributions. The calculation of undistributed earnings is as follows:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012		2011		2010
	( Dollars in millions)
Calculation of undistributed earnings:
Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	388	$	236	$	154
Less: Dividends declared on common stock		49		46		46
Less: Dividends and dividend equivalents to participating securities		—		1		1
Undistributed earnings	$	339	$	189	$	107
Allocation of undistributed earnings:
Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders	$	336	$	187	$	105
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		3		2		2
Undistributed earnings	$	339	$	189	$	107

⁽²⁾  Undistributed earnings are adjusted for the assumed distribution of dividends to the dilutive securities, which are described in (3) below, and then reallocated to participating securities.

⁽³⁾  Represents incremental shares of common stock from the (i) assumed exercise of stock options issued under Cabot’s equity incentive plans; (ii) assumed issuance of shares to employees pursuant to the Company’s Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan; and (iii) assumed issuance of shares for outstanding and achieved performance-based stock unit awards issued under Cabot’s equity incentive plans using the treasury stock method. For fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively, 395,532 and 253,000 incremental shares of common stock were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the inclusion of these shares would have been antidilutive. For fiscal 2010, 193,000 incremental shares of common stock were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because those shares’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of Cabot common stock for that period.

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Employee Benefit Plans (Defined Benefit Pension Plans Weighted Average Asset Allocations) (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
U.S. Pension Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Equity securities	62.00%	57.00%
Debt securities	38.00%	43.00%
Total	100.00%	100.00%
Foreign Pension Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Equity securities	39.00%	44.00%
Debt securities	56.00%	50.00%
Cash and other securities	5.00%	6.00%
Total	100.00%	100.00%

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Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net earnings of affiliated companies was as follows:

	Years ended September 30
	2012		2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Income (loss) from continuing operations:
Domestic	$	13	$	(25	)	$	3
Foreign		232		228			163
Total	$	245	$	203		$	166

Provision (Benefit) on Income (Loss)

Tax provision (benefit) on income consisted of the following:

	Years ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
U.S. federal and state:
Current	$	(1	)	$	(7	)	$	(8	)
Deferred		(8	)		(51	)		(14	)
Total		(9	)		(58	)		(22	)
Foreign:
Current		62			57			51
Deferred		2			7			1
Total		64			64			52
Total U.S. and foreign	$	55		$	6		$	30

Reconcilation Using U.S. Statutory Rate

The provision (benefit) for income taxes differed from the provision for income taxes as calculated using the U.S. statutory rate as follows:

	Years ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Computed tax expense at the federal statutory rate	$	86		$	70		$	58
Foreign income:
Impact of taxation at different rates, repatriation and other		(29	)		(29	)		(26	)
Impact of credit for extraordinary repatriation		—			(24	)		—
Impact of investment incentive credits		—			(2	)		(2	)
Impact of foreign losses for which a current tax benefit is not available		5			6			17
State taxes, net of federal effect		—			—			—
U.S. and state benefits from research and experimentation activities		(2	)		(3	)		(1	)
Tax audit settlements		(2	)		(12	)		(15	)
Release of state tax valuation allowance		(8	)		—			—
Permanent differences, net		5			—			(1	)
Total	$	55		$	6		$	30

Components of Deferred Income Taxes

Significant components of deferred income taxes were as follows:

	September 30
	2012			2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Deferred tax assets:
Property, plant & equipment	$	140		$	73
Pension and other benefits		94			87
Environmental liabilities		2			3
Inventory		12			12
Deferred expenses		12			11
State taxes		5			—
Net operating loss carry-forwards		194			125
Other tax carry-forwards		73			137
Other		45			28
Subtotal		577			476
Valuation allowances		(169	)		(138	)
Total deferred tax assets	$	408		$	338

	September 30
	2012		2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant & equipment	$	191	$	28
Intangible assets		107		—
Pension and other benefits		15		2
Unremitted earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries		11		18
Inventory		10		3
Other		10		5
Total deferred tax liabilities	$	344	$	56

Expiration Dates of Carryforwards

The following table provides detail surrounding the expiration dates of these carryforwards:

	NOLs		Credits
	(Dollars in millions)
Expiration periods
2013 to 2019	$	329	$	3
2020 and thereafter		220		47
Indefinite carryforward		291		23
Total	$	840	$	73

Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

	Years ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Balance at beginning of the year	$	65		$	75		$	81
Additions based on tax provisions related to the current year		4			2			6
Additions for tax positions of prior years		—			1			3
Reductions of tax provisions of prior years		(14	)		(13	)		(15	)
Balance at end of the year	$	55		$	65		$	75

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Restructuring (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended				1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012 Maximum [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Closure Of Hong Kong [Member] Person	Sep. 30, 2012 Closure Of Hong Kong [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Closure Of Hong Kong [Member] Maximum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Closure Of Hong Kong [Member] Other Post Closing Costs [Member]	Feb. 28, 2011 Closure Of Grigno [Member] Person	Sep. 30, 2012 Closure Of Grigno [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Closure Of Grigno [Member] Maximum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Closure Of Thane [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Closure Of Thane [Member] Person	Sep. 30, 2012 Closure Of Thane [Member] Maximum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Closure Of Thane [Member] Other Post Closing Costs [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Closure Of Thane [Member] Demolition And Site Clearing Costs [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 2009 Global Restructuring [Member] Person	Sep. 30, 2009 2009 Global Restructuring [Member] Facility	Sep. 30, 2012 2009 Global Restructuring [Member] Other Post Closing Costs [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 2009 Global Restructuring [Member] Demolition And Site Clearing Costs [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Other Activity [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Other Activity [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Affected employees					64				37				120				400
Pre-tax charge to earnings						$ 10						$ 24					$ 124
Restructuring charges	15	18	46			6		2		5					2	3			17	7
Expected cumulative net cash outlays related to plan						3						8					72
Severance costs						1				3		7					55				1	5
Cash payments							1			1		8					71				5
Expected cash outlays remainder fiscal year						3								1			1				1
Restructuring costs in accrued expenses	5	11	19			1								1			3				1
Restructuring accelerated depreciation and asset impairments										3		12					45
Gain on sale of facility	191									1
Other costs										1
Proceeds from sale of business	181									2
Expected cash outlays beyond fiscal year											1
Accrued severance costs				$ 1
Number of facilities closed																		3

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Schedule of Fair Value of Derivatives, Net of Legal Right to Offset Derivative Settlements

The derivatives presented in the table below are presented by derivative type, net of the legal right to offset derivative settlements by each counterparty:

	September 30
	2012		2011
	Level 2		Level 2
	(Dollars in Millions)
Assets at fair value:
Guaranteed investment contract(1)	$	14	$	14
Derivatives relating to interest rates(2)		2		3
Total assets at fair value	$	16	$	17
Liabilities at fair value:
Derivatives relating to foreign currency(2)	$	28	$	41
Hedged long-term debt(3)		36		61
Total liabilities at fair value	$	64	$	102

⁽¹⁾  Included in “Other assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

⁽²⁾  Included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets”, “Other assets”, “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” or “Other liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

⁽³⁾  Included in “Current portion of long-term debt” and “Long-term debt” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Stockholder's Equity (Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$ 167	$ 163
Unrealized holding gain on investments/derivatives		1
Change in funded status of retirement plans	(75)	(58)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	$ 92	$ 106

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Accounts and notes receivable, reserve for doubtful accounts	$ 5	$ 4
Preferred stock, authorized shares	2,000,000	2,000,000
Preferred stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock, Issued shares	0	0
Preferred stock, Outstanding shares	0	0
Common stock, authorized shares	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, issued shares	63,600,928	63,894,443
Common stock, outstanding shares	63,347,362	63,860,777
Common treasury stock, shares	253,565	33,666

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Employee Benefit Plans (Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
U.S. Pension Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Discount rate	3.50%	4.50%	4.50%
Initial health care cost trend rate	3.50%	3.80%	3.80%
Discount rate	4.50%	4.50%	5.30%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	7.80%	7.80%	7.80%
Initial health care cost trend rate	3.80%	3.80%	3.80%
Foreign Pension Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Discount rate	3.60%	4.80%	4.40%
Initial health care cost trend rate	3.10%	3.10%	3.30%
Discount rate	4.80%	4.30%	5.00%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	5.30%	6.10%	6.10%
Initial health care cost trend rate	3.20%	3.30%	3.40%
U. S. Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Discount rate	3.30%	4.50%	4.50%
Initial health care cost trend rate	8.00%	8.50%	7.50%
Discount rate	4.50%	4.50%	5.30%
Initial health care cost trend rate	8.50%	7.50%	8.00%
Foreign Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Discount rate	3.90%	4.90%	4.80%
Initial health care cost trend rate	7.40%	8.00%	8.00%
Discount rate	4.90%	4.80%	5.20%
Initial health care cost trend rate	7.90%	8.00%	9.00%

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Note B. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2012, the FASB issued amended guidance to simplify testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill for impairment. The amendments will allow an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative test. An entity no longer will be required to calculate the fair value of the intangible assets unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. The new guidance will be effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012 but early adoption will be permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance for its annual impairment test of indefinite-lived intangible assets in fiscal 2013.

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Acquisition of Norit (Proforma of net sales and results of operations) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Business Acquisition Pro Forma Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 3,585		$ 3,449
Income from continuing operations	$ 209	[1]	$ 226	[1]
Income from continuing operations per common share:
Basic	$ 3.27		$ 3.47
Diluted	$ 3.23		$ 3.42

[1] Norit recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $33 million in other income during its year ended December 31, 2011 in connection with a legal settlement.

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Financial Instruments (Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total Asset Derivatives	$ 3		$ 5
Total Liability Derivatives	29		43
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total Asset Derivatives	2		3
Total Liability Derivatives			1
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets, Other Assets, And Other Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Risk Management [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total Asset Derivatives	2	[1]	3	[1]
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities [Member] | Foreign Currency Risk Management
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total Liability Derivatives			1
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total Asset Derivatives	1		2
Total Liability Derivatives	29		42
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets [Member] | Foreign Currency Risk Management
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total Asset Derivatives			1
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets And Other Assets [Member] | Other [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total Asset Derivatives	1	[2]	1	[2]
Total Liability Derivatives	1	[2]	1	[2]
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities And Other Liabilities [Member] | Foreign Currency Risk Management
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total Liability Derivatives	$ 28	[1]	$ 41	[1]

[1] Contracts of $2 million and $3 million presented on a gross basis in this table at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, have the legal right to offset against other types of contracts with a common counterparty and, therefore, are presented on a net basis in noncurrent "Other liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[2] Contracts in an asset and liability position presented on a gross basis in this table have the legal right of offset and, therefore, are presented on a net basis in "Prepaid expenses and other current assets" and noncurrent "Other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Stockholder's Equity (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2007
Repurchase authorization, shares	1.1	1.6	0	10.0
Repurchase authorization, amount	$ 36	$ 50
Shares remaining available for repurchase under the current authorization	1.6
Cash dividends paid	$ 0.76	$ 0.72	$ 0.72

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Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities and Other Liabilities (Components of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Accrued And Other Current Liabilities [Line Items]
Accounts payable	$ 425	$ 330
Accrued employee compensation	46	44
Accrued severance and restructuring	5	11
Other accrued liabilities	130	76
Total	$ 606	$ 461

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Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Income Taxes

Note S. Income Taxes

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net earnings of affiliated companies was as follows:

	Years ended September 30
	2012		2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Income (loss) from continuing operations:
Domestic	$	13	$	(25	)	$	3
Foreign		232		228			163
Total	$	245	$	203		$	166

Tax provision (benefit) on income consisted of the following:

	Years ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
U.S. federal and state:
Current	$	(1	)	$	(7	)	$	(8	)
Deferred		(8	)		(51	)		(14	)
Total		(9	)		(58	)		(22	)
Foreign:
Current		62			57			51
Deferred		2			7			1
Total		64			64			52
Total U.S. and foreign	$	55		$	6		$	30

The provision (benefit) for income taxes differed from the provision for income taxes as calculated using the U.S. statutory rate as follows:

	Years ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Computed tax expense at the federal statutory rate	$	86		$	70		$	58
Foreign income:
Impact of taxation at different rates, repatriation and other		(29	)		(29	)		(26	)
Impact of credit for extraordinary repatriation		—			(24	)		—
Impact of investment incentive credits		—			(2	)		(2	)
Impact of foreign losses for which a current tax benefit is not available		5			6			17
State taxes, net of federal effect		—			—			—
U.S. and state benefits from research and experimentation activities		(2	)		(3	)		(1	)
Tax audit settlements		(2	)		(12	)		(15	)
Release of state tax valuation allowance		(8	)		—			—
Permanent differences, net		5			—			(1	)
Total	$	55		$	6		$	30

Significant components of deferred income taxes were as follows:

	September 30
	2012			2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Deferred tax assets:
Property, plant & equipment	$	140		$	73
Pension and other benefits		94			87
Environmental liabilities		2			3
Inventory		12			12
Deferred expenses		12			11
State taxes		5			—
Net operating loss carry-forwards		194			125
Other tax carry-forwards		73			137
Other		45			28
Subtotal		577			476
Valuation allowances		(169	)		(138	)
Total deferred tax assets	$	408		$	338

	September 30
	2012		2011
	(Dollars in millions)
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant & equipment	$	191	$	28
Intangible assets		107		—
Pension and other benefits		15		2
Unremitted earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries		11		18
Inventory		10		3
Other		10		5
Total deferred tax liabilities	$	344	$	56

In fiscal 2012, Cabot recorded $11 million of net tax benefits including an $8 million state tax benefit from the release of a valuation allowance and $3 million related to settlements and other miscellaneous tax items in the tax provision.

In fiscal 2011, Cabot recorded $38 million net tax benefits including $24 million from the repatriation of high taxed income and $14 million related to tax settlements, the renewal of the U.S. research and experimentation credit, and investment incentive tax credits in the tax provision.

In fiscal 2010, Cabot recorded $17 million of net tax benefits related to tax settlements and investment incentive tax credits and a $1 million net tax charge for other miscellaneous items in the tax provision.

Approximately $840 million of net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) and $73 million of other tax credit carryforwards remain at September 30, 2012. The benefits of these carryforwards are dependent upon taxable income during the carryforward period in the jurisdictions where they arose. Accordingly, a valuation allowance has been provided where management has determined that it is more likely than not that the carryforwards will not be utilized. The following table provides detail surrounding the expiration dates of these carryforwards:

	NOLs		Credits
	(Dollars in millions)
Expiration periods
2013 to 2019	$	329	$	3
2020 and thereafter		220		47
Indefinite carryforward		291		23
Total	$	840	$	73

As of September 30, 2012, provisions have not been made for U.S. income taxes or non-U.S. withholding taxes on approximately $1,073 million of undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries, as these earnings are considered indefinitely reinvested. Cabot continually reviews the financial position and forecasted cash flows of its U.S. consolidated group and foreign subsidiaries in order to reaffirm the Company’s intent and ability to continue to indefinitely reinvest earnings of its foreign subsidiaries or whether such earnings will need to be repatriated in the foreseeable future. Such review encompasses not only operational needs but also future capital investments. From time to time, however, our intentions relative to specific indefinitely invested amounts change because of certain unique circumstances. For example, in 2011, the Company remitted certain high taxed earnings that had previously been considered indefinitely reinvested in order to preserve a tax benefit in advance of a tax law change.

These earnings could become subject to U.S. income taxes and non-U.S. withholding taxes if they were remitted as dividends, were loaned to Cabot Corporation or a U.S. subsidiary, or if Cabot should sell its stock in the subsidiaries.

As of September 30, 2012, Cabot had net deferred tax assets of $64 million, $49 million of which are in the U.S. The net deferred tax assets were significantly reduced during fiscal 2012 due to the utilization of deferred tax assets in the sale of the Supermetals Business and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities related to the Norit acquisition. Management believes that the Company’s history of generating domestic profits provides adequate evidence that it is more likely than not that all of the U.S. net deferred tax assets will be realized in the normal course of business. U.S. income from continuing operations adjusted for U.S. permanent differences was a profit of $86 million for the year ended September 30, 2012 and was a cumulative profit of $221 million for the three years ended September 30, 2012 including dividends from non-U.S. subsidiaries.

Realization of deferred tax asset is dependent on achieving future taxable income over an extended period of time. As of September 30, 2012, the Company would need to generate approximately $403 million in cumulative future U.S. taxable income at various times over approximately 20 years to realize all of its net U.S. deferred tax assets. The Company reviews its forecast in relation to actual results and expected trends on a quarterly basis. Failure to achieve operating income targets may change the Company’s assessment regarding the recoverability of Cabot’s deferred tax assets and such change could result in a valuation allowance being recorded against some or all of the Company’s deferred tax assets. Any increase in a valuation allowance would result in additional income tax expense, lower stockholders’ equity and could have a significant impact on Cabot’s earnings in future periods.

The valuation allowances at September 30, 2012 and 2011 represent management’s best estimate of the non-realizable portion of the deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance increased in certain tax jurisdictions by $31 million, $12 million, and $6 million in fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, due to the uncertainty of the ultimate realization of certain future tax benefits and net operating losses generated or acquired that are included in deferred tax assets.

Cabot has filed its tax returns in accordance with the tax laws in each jurisdiction and recognizes tax benefits for uncertain tax positions when the position would more likely than not be sustained based on its technical merits and recognizes measurement adjustments when needed. As of September 30, 2012, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $55 million, of which $39 million was recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet and $16 million of deferred tax assets, principally related to state net operating loss carryforwards, have not been recorded. In addition, accruals of $3 million and $15 million have been recorded for penalties and interest, respectively, as of September 30, 2012 and $3 million and $14 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2011. Total penalties and interest recorded in the tax provision in the Consolidated Statement of Operations was $3 million in each of fiscal years 2012, 2011, and 2010. If the unrecognized tax benefits were recognized at a given point in time, there would be approximately $44 million favorable impact on the Company’s tax provision before consideration of the impact of the potential need for valuation allowances.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

	Years ended September 30
	2012			2011			2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Balance at beginning of the year	$	65		$	75		$	81
Additions based on tax provisions related to the current year		4			2			6
Additions for tax positions of prior years		—			1			3
Reductions of tax provisions of prior years		(14	)		(13	)		(15	)
Balance at end of the year	$	55		$	65		$	75

Certain Cabot subsidiaries are under audit in jurisdictions outside of the U.S. In addition, certain statutes of limitations are scheduled to expire in the near future. It is reasonably possible that a further change in the unrecognized tax benefits may occur within the next twelve months related to the settlement of one or more of these audits or the lapse of applicable statutes of limitations; however, an estimated range of the impact on the unrecognized tax benefits cannot be quantified at this time.

Cabot files U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. income tax returns in jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitations. The 2007 through 2012 tax years generally remain subject to examination by the IRS and various tax years from 2004 through 2012 remain subject to examination by the respective state tax authorities. In significant non-U.S. jurisdictions, various tax years from 2001 through 2012 remain subject to examination by their respective tax authorities. As of September 30, 2012 Cabot’s significant non-U.S. jurisdictions include Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

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Income Taxes (Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Reconciliation Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of the year	$ 65	$ 75	$ 81
Additions based on tax provisions related to the current year	4	2	6
Additions for tax positions of prior years		1	3
Reductions of tax provisions of prior years	(14)	(13)	(15)
Balance at end of the year	$ 55	$ 65	$ 75

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Financial Information by Segment & Geographic Area (Schedule of Income (Loss) Before Taxes for Unallocated and Other) (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Restructuring charges	$ 15	$ 18	$ 46
Benefit from a legal judgment		3
Colombia [Member]
Charge related to change in net worth tax regulations		3
Certain Items [Member]
Restructuring charges	17
Acquisition related charges	26
Legal and professional fees	14
One time integration costs	3
Charges related to acquisition accounting adjustment	9
Environmental reserves and legal settlements	4
Reserve for respirator claim	4		2
Impairment of long-lived assets to be disposed of			2
2009 Global Restructuring [Member] | Certain Items [Member]
Restructuring charges			46
Environmental reserves and legal settlements			$ 3

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Financial Information by Segment & Geographic Area Narrative Narrative (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income form continuing operations	$ 201	$ 205	$ 143
Specialty Fluids [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income form continuing operations	$ 44	$ 22	$ 35

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Debt and Other Obligations (Schedule of Future Years Payment) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012
Future Years Payment [Line Items]
2013	$ 183
2014	18
2015	1
2016	190
2017	301
Thereafter	664
Total	1,357
Principal Payments On Long Term Debt [Member]
Future Years Payment [Line Items]
2013	182
2014	17
2016	189
2017	300
Thereafter	653
Total	1,341
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Future Years Payment [Line Items]
2013	1
2014	1
2015	1
2016	1
2017	1
Thereafter	11
Total	$ 16

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Schedule of Goodwill Balances

The carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each reportable segment with goodwill balances and the changes in those balances during the years ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

	Reinforcement Materials		Performance Materials		Advanced Technologies		Purification Solutions		Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Balance at September 30, 2010	$	27	$	11	$	1	$	—	$	39
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other		—		—		1		—		1
Balance at September 30, 2011		27		11		2		—		40
Goodwill acquired(1)		—		—		—		432		432
Foreign currency translation adjustment		1		—		—		7		8
Balance at September 30, 2012	$	28	$	11	$	2	$	439	$	480

⁽¹⁾  Goodwill acquired relates to the acquisition of Norit in fiscal 2012.

Schedule of Intangible Assets

The following table provides information regarding the Company’s intangible assets:

	Years Ended September 30
	2012							2011
	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Intangible Assets		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Intangible Assets
	(Dollars in millions)
Intangible assets with finite lives
Developed technology(1)	$	151	$	(2	)	$	149	$	—	$	—		$	—
Customer relationships(1)		121		(1	)		120		—		—			—
Other intangible assets		6		(3	)		3		5		(2	)		3
Total intangible assets, finite lives	$	278	$	(6	)	$	272	$	5	$	(2	)	$	3
Trademarks, indefinite lives(1)		58		—			58		—		—			—
Total intangible assets	$	336	$	(6	)	$	330	$	5	$	(2	)	$	3

⁽¹⁾  Developed technology, Customer relationships and Trademarks relate to the acquisition of Norit in fiscal 2012.

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Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Financial Instruments

Note L. Financial Instruments

Risk Management

Cabot’s business operations are exposed to changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices because Cabot finances certain operations through long and short-term borrowings, denominates transactions in a variety of foreign currencies and purchases certain commoditized raw materials. Changes in these rates and prices may have an impact on future cash flows and earnings. The Company manages these risks through normal operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments.

The Company has policies governing the use of derivative instruments and does not enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

By using derivative instruments, Cabot is subject to credit and market risk. If a counterparty fails to fulfill its performance obligations under a derivative contract, Cabot’s credit risk will equal the fair value of the derivative. Generally, when the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, the counterparty owes Cabot, thus creating a payment risk for Cabot. The Company minimizes counterparty credit (or repayment) risk by entering into transactions with major financial institutions of investment grade credit rating. As of September 30, 2012, the counterparties with which the Company has executed derivatives carried a Standard and Poor’s credit rating between A- and AA-, inclusive. Cabot’s exposure to market risk is not hedged in a manner that completely eliminates the effects of changing market conditions on earnings or cash flow. No significant concentration of credit risk existed at September 30, 2012.

Interest Rate Risk Management

Cabot’s objective is to maintain a certain fixed-to-variable interest rate mix on the Company’s debt obligations. Cabot enters into interest rate swaps as a hedge of the underlying debt instruments to effectively change the characteristics of the interest rate without changing the debt instrument. The following table provides details of the derivatives held as of September 30, 2012 and 2011 to manage interest rate risk.

		Notional Amount
Description	Borrowing	September 30, 2012	September 30, 2011	Hedge Designation
Interest Rate Swap—Fixed to Variable	Eurobond (20% of $175 million)	USD 35 million	USD 35 million	Fair Value
Interest Rate Swap—Fixed to Variable	Medium Term Notes	—	USD 23 million	Fair Value

Foreign Currency Risk Management

Cabot’s international operations are subject to certain risks, including currency exchange rate fluctuations and government actions. Cabot endeavors to match the currency in which debt is issued to the currency of the Company’s major, stable cash receipts. In some situations Cabot has issued debt denominated in U.S. dollars and then entered into cross currency swaps that exchange the dollar principal and interest payments into a currency where the Company expects long-term, stable cash receipts.

Additionally, the Company has foreign currency exposure arising from its net investments in foreign operations. Cabot, from time to time, enters into cross-currency swaps to mitigate the impact of currency rate changes on the Company’s net investments.

The Company also has foreign currency exposure arising from the denomination of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies other than the functional currency of a given subsidiary as well as the risk that currency fluctuations could affect the dollar value of future cash flows generated in foreign currencies. Accordingly, Cabot uses short-term forward contracts to minimize the exposure to foreign currency risk.

In certain situations where the Company has forecasted purchases under a long-term commitment or forecasted sales denominated in a foreign currency, Cabot may enter into appropriate financial instruments in accordance with the Company’s risk management policy to hedge future cash flow exposures. The following table provides details of the derivatives held as of September 30, 2012 and 2011 to manage foreign currency risk.

Description	Borrowing	Notional Amount		Hedge Designation
		September 30, 2012	September 30, 2011
Cross Currency Swap	Eurobond (80% of $175 million)	USD 140 million swapped to EUR 124 million	USD 140 million swapped to EUR 124 million	No designation
Cross Currency Swap	Eurobond (20% of $175 million)	USD 35 million swapped to EUR 31 million	USD 35 million swapped to EUR 31 million	No designation
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts (1)	N/A	USD 106 million	USD 54 million	No designation
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts (1)	N/A	USD 3 million	USD 12 million	Cash Flow

⁽¹⁾  Cabot’s forward foreign exchange contracts are denominated primarily in the Australian dollar, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi, Euro and Japanese yen.

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company determines the fair value of financial instruments using quoted market prices whenever available. When quoted market prices are not available for various types of financial instruments (such as forwards, options and swaps), the Company uses standard models with market-based inputs, which take into account the present value of estimated future cash flows and the ability of the financial counterparty to perform. For interest rate and cross-currency swaps, the significant inputs to these models are interest rate curves for discounting future cash flows. For forward foreign currency contracts, the significant inputs are interest rate curves for discounting future cash flows, and exchange rate curves of the foreign currency for translating future cash flows.

Fair Value Hedge

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in current period earnings.

Cash Flow Hedge

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified to earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current period earnings.

Net Investment Hedge

For net investment hedges, changes in the fair value of the effective portion of the derivatives’ gains or losses are reported as foreign currency translation gains or losses in Accumulated other comprehensive income while changes in the ineffective portion are reported in earnings. The gains or losses on derivative instruments reported in Accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified to earnings in the period in which earnings are affected by the underlying item, such as a disposal or substantial liquidation of the entities being hedged. As of September 30, 2012, there were no open derivatives designated as net investment hedges.

Other Derivative Instruments

From time to time, the Company may enter into certain derivative instruments that may not be designated as hedges for accounting purposes, which include cross currency swaps, foreign currency forward contracts and commodity derivatives. For cross currency swaps and foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges, the Company uses standard models with market-based inputs. The significant inputs to these models are interest rate curves for discounting future cash flows, and exchange rate curves of the foreign currency for translating future cash flows. In determining the fair value of the commodity derivatives, the significant inputs to valuation models are quoted market prices of similar instruments in active markets. Although these derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting, Cabot believes that such instruments are closely correlated with the underlying exposure, thus managing the associated risk. The gains or losses from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not accounted for as hedges are recognized in current period earnings

During fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010, for derivatives designated as hedges, the change in unrealized gains in Accumulated other comprehensive income, the hedge ineffectiveness recognized in earnings, the realized gains or losses reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income, and the losses reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings were immaterial.

During fiscal 2012, a loss of $10 million was recognized in earnings as a result of the remeasurement to Euros of the $175 million bond held by one of Cabot’s European subsidiaries. This loss, which was recognized in earnings through Other income (expense) within the Consolidated Statement of Operations, was offset by a gain of $12 million from Cabot’s cross currency swaps that are not designated as hedges, but which Cabot entered into to offset the foreign currency translation exposure on the debt. Additionally, during fiscal 2012, Cabot recognized in earnings through Other income (expense) within the Consolidated Statement of Operations, gains of $10 million related to its foreign currency forward contracts, which were not designated as hedges.

During fiscal 2011, a loss of $2 million was recognized in earnings as a result of the remeasurement to Euros of the $175 million bond held by one of Cabot’s European subsidiaries. This loss, which was recognized in earnings through Other expense within the Consolidated Statement of Operations, was offset by a gain of $1 million from Cabot’s cross currency swaps that are not designated as hedges, but which Cabot entered into to offset the foreign currency translation exposure on the debt. Additionally, during fiscal 2011, Cabot recognized in earnings through Other expense within the Consolidated Statement of Operations, gains of $3 million related to its foreign currency forward contracts, which were not designated as hedges.

During fiscal 2010, a loss of $14 million was recognized in earnings as a result of the remeasurement to Euros of the $175 million bond held by one of Cabot’s European subsidiaries. This loss, which was recognized in earnings through Other expense within the Consolidated Statement of Operations, was offset by a gain of $16 million from Cabot’s cross currency swaps that are not designated as hedges, but which Cabot entered into to offset the foreign currency translation exposure on the debt. Additionally, during fiscal 2010, Cabot recognized in earnings through Other expense within the Consolidated Statement of Operations, gains of $7 million related to its foreign currency forward contracts, which were not designated as hedges.

The following table provides the fair value and Consolidated Balance Sheets presentations of derivative instruments by each derivative type, without regard to the legal right to offset derivative settlement by each counterparty:

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	Consolidated Balance Sheet Caption	September 30, 2012		September 30, 2011
		(Dollars in millions)
Asset Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedges Interest rate(1)	Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other liabilities	$	2	$	3
Total derivatives designated as hedges		$	2	$	3
Derivatives not designated as hedges Foreign currency	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	—	$	1
Other(2)	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1		1
Total derivatives not designated as hedges		$	1	$	2
Total Asset Derivatives		$	3	$	5
Liability Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedges Foreign currency	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	—	$	1
Total derivatives designated as hedges		$	—	$	1
Derivatives not designated as hedges Foreign currency(1)	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and Other liabilities	$	28	$	41
Other(2)	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1		1
Total derivatives not designated as hedges		$	29	$	42
Total Liability Derivatives		$	29	$	43

⁽¹⁾  Contracts of $2 million and $3 million presented on a gross basis in this table at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, have the legal right to offset against other types of contracts with a common counterparty and, therefore, are presented on a net basis in noncurrent “Other liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

⁽²⁾  Contracts in an asset and liability position presented on a gross basis in this table have the legal right of offset and, therefore, are presented on a net basis in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” and noncurrent “Other assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

See Note J “Fair Value Measurements” for classification of derivatives by input level. The net after-tax amounts to be reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings within the next 12 months are expected to be immaterial.

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Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Options Outstanding and Vested Options) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Total Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 20
Total Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	7 years 3 months 18 days
Exercisable Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 16
Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	6 years 8 months 12 days