MeadWestvaco, Albemarle in carbon partnership

MeadWestvaco, Albemarle to jointly develop carbon used to remove mercury from power plants

• On 4:26 pm EDT, Tuesday September 8, 2009

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- MeadWestvaco Specialty Chemicals and Albemarle Corp. announced Tuesday an agreement to form a partnership to develop a domestic supply of activated carbon to remove mercury from coal-fired plant emissions.

MeadWestvaco and specialty chemical maker Albemarle will form a commercial supplier of activated carbon for removing mercury from emissions.

A market for mercury removal has grown in response to tightening regulations by state and federal governments in the U.S. and Canada, said Bob Beckler, president of MWV Specialty Chemicals.

MeadWestvaco produces activated carbon used in purifying applications in the auto and other industries. Albemarle develops bromine, which is used to purify air and liquid.

MeadWestvaco, based in North Charleston, S.C., will handle manufacturing and Albemarle, of Richmond, Va., will be responsible for marketing, he said.

Shares of MeadWestvaco shed 15 cents to close at $21.83. Albemarle rose $1.03, or 3.2 percent, to $33.35.