BOSTON -- Cabot Corp., the worlds No. 1 producer of carbon black, has earned the highest supplier recognition from Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies (Freudenberg-NOK) for its past years performance.

The Plymouth, Mich.- based producer of advanced seals and elastomeric products named Cabot a "Gold Level" winner in its 2010 Supplier Excellence Achievement Awards program. Cabot earned the recognition in the Chemicals segment for "outstanding performance in quality, delivery, cost management, technology, and overall service."

Past year, Cabot supplied multiple grades of carbon black to all of Freudenberg-NOKs mixing facilities in the United States. Cabot was able to achieve a perfect 100-percent rating according to Freudenberg-NOKs supplier measurement system. Only eight of Freudenberg-NOKs direct material suppliers worldwide were recognized with an award last year. In addition, Cabot received the highest recognition of any chemicals supplier.

"Freudenberg-NOK expects all of its suppliers to meet the highest service and quality standards possible to support the needs of its customers. Cabot has demonstrated over the years the willingness to improve, cooperate, and excel. This is invaluable in a successful partnership," said Mike Miller, Freudenberg-NOK director of supply chain management.

"We are honored to receive this award, as it affirms that we are living up to our commitment to be the supplier of choice to Freudenberg-NOK," said Jacob Homiller, Cabot NAFTA business director.

"This award also affirms the power of our global footprint, our team and our focus on quality," Homiller said. "We have provided carbon black to Freudenberg-NOK from three continents, including North America, Europe and South America. Its a tremendous testament to our team that we were able to produce and deliver the same high-quality material on a global scale, while meeting Freudenberg-NOKs demanding delivery and service requirements.

Carbon black is an intensely black performance material, used as a reinforcing agent in rubber, as well as a pigmenting, UV stabilizing and conductive additive in a variety of other specialty products.

Freudenberg-NOK uses the material to produce high-quality elastomeric seals and custom-molded products.

Freudenberg-NOK is the Americas joint venture partnership between Freudenberg & Co. in Germany and NOK Corp. in Japan.