CABOT CORP
10-K, 1996-12-24
MISCELLANEOUS CHEMICAL PRODUCTS
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                                 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, 1996
 
                                       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)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>
                   DELAWARE                                     04-2271897
         (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION                         (IRS EMPLOYER
      OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                    IDENTIFICATION NO.)
               75 STATE STREET
            BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS                                 02109
   (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                     (ZIP CODE)
</TABLE>
 
                                 (617) 345-0100
              (REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)
 
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>
COMMON STOCK, $1.00 PAR VALUE PER SHARE:
70,446,881 SHARES OUTSTANDING                BOSTON STOCK EXCHANGE
AT NOVEMBER 29, 1996                         NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
                                             PACIFIC STOCK EXCHANGE
PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS
</TABLE>
 
     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 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 the definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K.  [ ]
 
     The aggregate market value of the Registrant's common stock held
beneficially or of record by shareholders who are not directors or executive
officers of the Registrant at November 29, 1996, was approximately
$1,634,283,000.
 
                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
     Portions of the Registrant's Annual Report to Stockholders for fiscal year
1996 are incorporated by reference in Parts II and IV, and portions of the
Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for its 1997 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III.
 
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                                     PART I
 
ITEM 1.  BUSINESS
 
                                    GENERAL
 
     Cabot's business was founded in 1882 and incorporated in the State of
Delaware in 1960. The Company has businesses in specialty chemicals and
materials and in energy. The Company and its affiliates have manufacturing
facilities in the United States and 21 other countries.
 
     The term "Cabot" as used in this Report refers to Cabot Corporation. The
terms "Company" and "Registrant" mean Cabot and its consolidated subsidiaries.
 
     The description of the Company's businesses is as of September 30, 1996,
unless otherwise noted. Information regarding the revenues and operating profits
of the Company's business segments and geographic areas appears on pages 19 and
38 and 39 of the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for fiscal year 1996
("Annual Report") which are incorporated herein by reference.
 
     In February 1996, the Company acquired an 80% controlling interest in an
Indonesian carbon black company for approximately $50 million, plus the
assumption of $9 million of debt. In July 1996, the Company sold 1.85 million
shares of the common stock of K N Energy, Inc., for which the Company received
cash proceeds of $57.6 million. See pages 5 and 6 for further information
regarding the Company's investment in K N Energy, Inc.
 
     Effective September 30, 1996, Cabot sold all of the stock of its
subsidiary, TUCO INC., to TUCO Acquisition, Inc. for consideration of $77
million ($27 million in cash plus the repayment of $50 million of TUCO INC. debt
by the buyer), plus $8 million of working capital adjustments.
 
     On November 10, 1995, Cabot's Board of Directors authorized a two-for-one
stock split of Cabot's common stock, $1.00 par value per share ("Common Stock"),
in the form of a stock dividend subject to stockholder approval of an amendment
to Cabot's Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of
shares to 200,000,000 shares. Stockholders approved such amendment at the
Company's Annual Meeting on March 7, 1996. Pursuant to the previously authorized
stock split, the shares of Common Stock were distributed on March 22, 1996 to
stockholders of record on March 15, 1996.
 
     In May 1996, Cabot's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to
4,000,000 shares of its Common Stock in an effort to reduce the total number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding. Pursuant to that authorization, Cabot
purchased approximately 736,000 shares through September 30, 1996. Prior to that
authorization, Cabot had purchased approximately 1,870,000 shares under a
previous Common Stock repurchase authorization during fiscal year 1996 in open
market transactions and 1,347,300 shares in private and open market transactions
during fiscal 1995 for the purpose of reducing the total number of shares
outstanding as well as replacing shares issued under the Company's employee
incentive compensation programs.
 
     Additional information regarding significant events affecting the Company
in its fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, appears in Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations on pages 17
through 24 of the Annual Report.
 
                       SPECIALTY CHEMICALS AND MATERIALS
 
CARBON BLACK DIVISIONS
 
     The Company's Carbon Black Divisions manufacture and sell carbon black, a
very fine black powder. Carbon black is used as a reinforcing agent in tires
(tire blacks) and industrial rubber products such as extruded profiles, hoses
and molded goods (industrial rubber blacks). Non-rubber grades of carbon black,
known as special blacks, are used to provide pigmentation, conductivity and
ultraviolet protection and for other purposes in many specialty applications
such as inks, plastics, cables and coatings. The Company believes that it is the
leading manufacturer of carbon black in the world. It estimates that it has
about one quarter of the
 
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worldwide production capacity and market share of carbon black. The Company
competes in the manufacture of carbon black with two companies having an
international presence and with at least 20 other companies in various regional
markets in which it operates (see "General" on pages 4 and 5 of this Report).
 
     The Company's carbon black business is operated through a matrix of four
regional Divisions, European, North American, Pacific Asia and South American,
and three sectors, industrial rubber blacks, special blacks and tire blacks.
Carbon black plants owned by Cabot or a subsidiary are located in Argentina,
Australia, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, England, France (two plants),
India, Indonesia (two plants), Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Spain and the
United States (four plants). Affiliates of the Company own carbon black plants
in Colombia, Japan (two plants), Malaysia, Mexico, The People's Republic of
China and Venezuela. The Company consolidated the operating results of its
affiliates in the Czech Republic and India effective October 1, 1995.
 
     The principal raw materials used in the manufacture of carbon black are
carbon black oils derived from petroleum refining operations and from the
distillation of coal tars and the production of ethylene throughout the world.
The availability of raw materials has not been and is not expected to be a
significant factor for the business. Raw material costs are influenced by the
cost and availability of oil worldwide and the availability of various types of
carbon black oils.
 
     Sales are generally made by Company employees in the countries where carbon
black plants are located. Export sales are generally made through distributors
or sales representatives in conjunction with Company employees. Sales are made
under various trademarks owned by Cabot, of which Cabot[Registered Trademark],
Black Pearls[Registered Trademark], Elftex[Registered Trademark],
Mogul[Registered Trademark], Monarch[Registered Trademark], Regal[Registered
Trademark], Spheron[Trademark], Sterling[Registered Trademark] and
Vulcan[Registered Trademark] are the best known.
 
     The Company has developed three new carbon black products with substantial
demand potential. The first such product is a tire innerliner carbon black which
can reduce the amount of expensive halobutyl polymers in a tire. The innerliner
carbon black can both lower the cost of producing tires and improve the tires'
performance. The Company's best estimate, at this time, of the annual revenues
innerliner carbon black may produce by the year 2000 is $25 million to $60
million*. Ecoblack[Trademark] carbon black, the second new product, utilizes a
new technology for surface modification of the chemistry of carbon black. It can
be used in place of silica to reduce a tire's rolling resistance and improve an
automobile's gas mileage at a cost significantly less than that using a silica
compound. The Company's best estimate, at this time, of the annual revenues to
be derived from the Ecoblack[Trademark] product by the year 2000 is $20 million
to $80 million*. The Company is building a semi-works plant in Malaysia in
connection with its plans to commercially develop and produce elastomer
composites, the third new product. The Company believes that its new elastomer
composites will provide a significant improvement in tire performance. The
Company estimates that by the year 2000 elastomer composites may produce
revenues of $200 million to $250 million annually*.
 
CAB-O-SIL DIVISION
 
     The Company's Cab-O-Sil Division manufactures and sells fumed silica and
dispersions thereof under various trademarks including Cabot[Registered
Trademark], Cab-O-Sil[Registered Trademark], Cab-O-Sperse[Registered Trademark]
and Cab-O-Guard[Trademark]. Fumed silica is an ultra-fine, high-purity silica
produced by a flame process for use as a reinforcing, thickening, thixotropic,
suspending or anti-caking agent in a wide variety of products for the automotive
industry, construction industry and consumer industries, including adhesives,
cosmetics, inks, lubricants, paints and pharmaceuticals. The headquarters of the
Cab-O-Sil Division is located in Aurora, Illinois, and its North American
manufacturing plant is located in Tuscola, Illinois. A subsidiary of Cabot
leases a manufacturing plant in Wales, and an affiliate of Cabot owns a
manufacturing plant in Germany. A plant to manufacture fumed silica is under
construction in India by a joint venture which is 50% owned by the Company and
50% owned by an Indian entity. Raw materials for the production of fumed silica
are various chlorosilane feedstocks. The feedstocks are either purchased or toll
converted for owners of the materials. The Division has long-term procurement
contracts in place which it believes will enable it to meet its raw material
requirements. Sales of
 
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*Estimates of future contributions and performance are contingent on various
 internal and external factors as described on page 7 of this Report.
 
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fumed silica products are made by Company employees and through distributors and
sales representatives. There are five principal producers of fumed silica in the
world (see "General" on pages 4 and 5 of this Report). The Company believes it
is the leading producer and seller of this chemical in the United States and
second worldwide.
 
MICROELECTRONICS MATERIALS DIVISION
 
     The Company's Microelectronics Materials Division manufactures and sells
high-purity polishing compounds, made from fumed metal oxides and a variety of
chemistries. The polishing compounds are used in the manufacture of wafers,
chips and other electronic devices by the semiconductor industry. These products
are sold under various Cabot trademarks including Cab-O-Sperse[Registered
Trademark] and Semi-Sperse[Registered Trademark]. Sales of polishing compounds
are made by Company employees and through distributors. Raw materials are
readily available. The Microelectronics Materials Division has a newly
constructed dispersion manufacturing facility and laboratory in Aurora,
Illinois, as well as a dispersion manufacturing facility in Barry, Wales. The
headquarters and technology center of the Microelectronics Materials Division is
located in Aurora, Illinois. The Aurora, Illinois facility provides quality
control management, operations management, marketing support and customer sales
and service for the Division.
 
PLASTICS DIVISION
 
     The Company's Plastics Division produces black and white thermoplastic
concentrates and specialty compounds for sale to plastic resin producers and the
plastics processing industry. Sales are made under various Cabot trademarks
including Cabelec, Plasadd, Plasblak, Plasdeg, Plastech, Plaswite and Rainbow.
Major applications for these materials include pipe and tubing, packaging and
agricultural film, automotive components, cable sheathing and special packaging
for use in the electronics industry. The plastics business is operated through
four sectors: polymer producers, specialty compounds, proprietary products in
Europe and proprietary products in Asia. Sales are made by Company employees and
through sales representatives and distributors primarily in Europe and Asia.
This business has manufacturing facilities in Belgium (two plants), England,
Hong Kong and Italy. In Europe, the Company is one of the three leading
producers of thermoplastic concentrates. The main raw materials used in this
business are carbon black, titanium dioxide, thermoplastic resins and mineral
fillers. Raw materials are in general readily available. The Company also
operates a small plastics recycling facility in Belgium.
 
PERFORMANCE MATERIALS DIVISION
 
     The Cabot Performance Materials Division serves the electronic materials
and refractory metals industries and produces tantalum, niobium (columbium) and
their alloys, and cesium, germanium, rubidium and tellurium and their compounds.
Tantalum is produced in various forms including powder and wire for electronic
capacitors. Tantalum and niobium and their alloys are also produced in wrought
form for non-electronic applications such as chemical process equipment and the
production of superalloys, and for various other industrial and aerospace
applications. Tantalum is also used in ballistic munitions by the defense
industry. The headquarters and the principal manufacturing facility of this
business are in Boyertown, Pennsylvania. Subsidiaries in Canada hold leasehold
interests in land and certain mineral rights with respect to such land in
Manitoba, Canada. These subsidiaries mine and sell tantalite, spodumene,
lepidolite and pollucite. An affiliate of the Company has a manufacturing plant
in Japan. Raw materials are currently in adequate supply. The Company is
presently seeking new sources of supply to support future demand. Raw materials
are obtained by the Company from ores mined principally in Africa, Australia,
Brazil and Canada and from by-product tin slags from tin smelting mainly in
Malaysia. Sales in the United States are made by personnel of the Company with
export sales to Europe handled by Company employees and independent European
sales representatives. Sales in Europe are made by an affiliated company. Sales
in Japan and other parts of Asia are handled primarily through employees of the
Company's Japanese affiliate. There are currently two principal groups producing
tantalum and niobium in the western world. The Company believes that it,
together with its Japanese affiliate, is the leading producer of electronic
grade tantalum powder and wire products with competitors having greater
production in some other product lines (see "General" below).
 
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OTHER
 
     The Company has formed two new business units to develop and market two new
products which are currently not providing a material amount of revenues for the
Company. The first is the Ink Jet Colorants Division which manufactures a
product for use in computer ink jet printers. Pigments based colorants are
designed to replace traditional pigment dispersions and dyes. These colorants
deliver enhanced color, stability, durability, ink formulation flexibility and
high print quality. These new products serve printing markets, such as home and
office printers, wide format, and commercial and industrial printing
applications. The Company's best estimate, at this time, of the revenues from
this product in the year 2000 is $18 million to $30 million*. The other new
business is Cabot Specialty Fluids, Inc. which will develop and market cesium
brine as a drilling fluid to be used when drilling oil and gas wells with high
drilling temperatures. Cesium brine has a high density without solid additives,
but a low viscosity so it will readily flow; it is resistant to high
temperatures and yet it is biodegradable. The Company's best estimate, at this
time, of the revenues from this product in the year 2000 is $15 million to $35
million*. The Company is constructing a manufacturing facility to produce cesium
brine near its mine in Manitoba, Canada. This facility is scheduled for
completion in March of 1997.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Company owns and is a licensee of various patents, which expire from
time to time, covering many products, processes and product uses of the
Specialty Chemicals and Materials Group. Although the rights of the Company and
the products made and sold under these patents and licenses are important to the
Specialty Chemicals and Materials Group, the loss of any particular patent or
license would not materially affect the businesses of this Group, taken as a
whole. Products of this Group are also sold by the Company under a variety of
trademarks, the loss of any one of which would similarly not materially affect
the businesses of this Group, taken as a whole.
 
     The Group's businesses are generally not seasonal in nature, although they
experience some decline in sales in the fourth fiscal quarter due to European
holiday plant shutdowns. Backlog orders for the Group believed to be firm as of
September 30, 1996 were approximately $103.1 million, compared to firm backlog
orders as of September 30, 1995, of approximately $104.8 million. All of the
1996 backlog orders are expected to be filled during fiscal year 1997.
 
     Six major tire and rubber companies operating worldwide, several special
blacks customers operating in Europe and the United States, and one fumed silica
customer operating in Europe and the United States represent a material portion
of the Group's total net sales and operating revenues; the loss of one or more
of these customers might materially adversely affect the Group. The Cab-O-Sil
Division's largest customer, Dow Corning Corp., filed for protection against its
creditors under the bankruptcy laws in 1995. That filing is not expected to have
a material adverse effect on the Cab-O-Sil Division.
 
     The Company's specialty chemicals and materials are used in many end-uses
associated with the automotive industry such as tires, extruded profiles, hoses,
molded goods, capacitors and paints. The Company's financial results are
affected by the cyclical nature of the automotive industry, although a large
portion of the market is for replacement tires and other parts which are less
subject to automobile industry cycles. The Company has long-term carbon black
supply contracts with certain of its North American tire customers. These
contracts are designed to provide such customers with a secure supply of carbon
black and reduce the volatility in the Company's carbon black volumes and
margins caused, in part, by automobile industry cycles.
 
     Competition exists on the basis of price, service, quality, product
performance and technical innovation in the businesses of this Group.
Competitive conditions in the European market for carbon black are also affected
by sales of carbon black produced in Croatia, Egypt, Hungary and Russia.
Competitive conditions
 
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* Estimates of future contributions and performance are contingent on various
  internal and external factors as described on page 7 of this Report.
 
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also result in the need to carry an inventory of raw materials and finished
goods in order to meet the customers' needs for prompt delivery of products.
Competition in quality, service, product performance and technical innovation is
particularly significant for the fumed silica, industrial rubber blacks, special
blacks and tantalum businesses. Competition affecting the businesses of the
non-carbon black parts of the Group comes from different firms for each product
group.
 
                             LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS
 
     The Company, through a subsidiary, purchases liquefied natural gas ("LNG")
from Sonatrading, an affiliate of Sonatrach, the Algerian national oil and gas
company, under a long-term and a medium-term supply contract and, when available
at competitive prices, from other sources. Cabot and Sonatrach have each agreed
to assure performance of the obligations of their respective affiliates under
these agreements. The LNG is stored and resold in the northeastern United States
from a terminal facility in Everett, Massachusetts. The Company has received
authorizations from the U.S. Department of Energy to import LNG under the
contracts with Sonatrading, as well as blanket authorization to import LNG from
other foreign suppliers on both a long-term and short-term basis. The Company
has also received authorization from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
for sales services. Currently, the Company's supply of LNG is limited primarily
by the amount of LNG available from Sonatrading/Sonatrach.
 
     In 1993, the Company was notified by Sonatrach that the renovation of
Sonatrach's Algerian LNG production facilities would likely result in a
temporary reduction of LNG deliveries to its customers, including the Company.
The Company expects the deliveries of LNG from its Algerian supplier to improve
in fiscal year 1997 as Sonatrach's renovation project progresses. The Company
has been able to continue to meet its firm sales obligations to customers and
has secured an additional limited source of supply from ADGAS, an LNG exporter
in the United Arab Emirates. The Company is not able to predict, at this time,
what, if any, impact the political instability in Algeria may have on the future
supply of LNG from its Algerian supplier, but to date, no direct adverse effect
has been experienced. The loss of supply from the Algerian supplier could have a
material adverse effect on the Company until additional sources of supply are
obtained.
 
     A consortium of companies consisting of Amoco Trinidad (LNG) B.V., British
Gas Trinidad LNG Limited, Cabot Trinidad LNG Limited ("Cabot Trinidad", a wholly
owned subsidiary of Cabot LNG Corporation), NGC Trinidad and Tobago LNG Limited
and Repsol International Finance B.V. own Atlantic LNG Company of Trinidad and
Tobago ("Atlantic LNG"), a corporation formed to construct, own and operate a
new LNG plant in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago designed to export 385
million cubic feet of natural gas per day in the form of LNG. Cabot Trinidad
owns ten percent of Atlantic LNG. Cabot LNG Corporation and Enagas, S.A., the
largest importer and wholesaler of natural gas in Spain, have entered into sales
contracts with Atlantic LNG under which Cabot LNG Corporation will purchase 60%
and Enagas, S.A. will purchase the remaining 40% of the LNG to be produced by
Atlantic LNG's new plant. The plant is expected to be completed and deliveries
of LNG to commence in fiscal year 1999. In fiscal year 1996, the consortium
concluded agreements with subsidiaries of Bechtel Corporation to design and
construct the new LNG plant. Construction is now underway. In November 1995, the
Company received authorization from the U.S. Department of Energy to import up
to 100 billion cubic feet of LNG per year from Trinidad and other countries for
a period of 40 years.
 
     The LNG business is not materially dependent upon any patent, trademark or
other intellectual property license. Backlog orders are not significant to this
business. Sales by the LNG business are stronger in the winter months because of
heating demands in New England.
 
     Price competition characterizes the markets served by the LNG business. The
business has numerous competitors including natural gas suppliers and suppliers
of alternative fuels.
 
                                     OTHER
 
     The Company acquired its investment in K N Energy, Inc. ("KNE") in
connection with the merger of American Oil and Gas Corporation with a subsidiary
of KNE in July 1994. The Company has reflected its
 
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investment in the common stock of KNE at its fair market value on September 30,
1996. An officer of the Company is a director and a member of the Audit
Committee of KNE.
 
     The Company has maintained an approximately 42.5% ownership interest in
Aearo Corporation (formerly Cabot Safety Holdings Corporation) after the
restructuring of the Company's safety products and specialty composites business
in July 1995. The Company has two representatives serving on the Board of
Directors of Aearo Corporation and its principal subsidiaries ("Aearo"). Aearo
manufactures and sells personal safety products, as well as energy absorbing,
vibration damping and impact absorbing products for industrial noise control and
environmental enhancement.
 
     TUCO INC., which the Company sold effective September 30, 1996, purchases
coal mined in Wyoming pursuant to long-term and short-term (spot) contracts and
has it transported by rail to Texas where it is processed and sold to
Southwestern Public Service Company pursuant to long-term sales contracts for
use in generating electricity.
 
                               OTHER INFORMATION
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     As of September 30, 1996, the Company had approximately 4,700 employees.
Approximately 600 employees in the United States are covered by collective
bargaining agreements. The Company believes that its relations with its
employees are satisfactory.
 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 
     The Company's Specialty Chemicals and Materials Group develops new and
improved products and processes and greater operating efficiencies through
Company-sponsored research and technical service activities including those
initiated in response to customer requests. Expenditures by the Company for such
activities are shown on page 25 of the Annual Report which is incorporated
herein by reference.
 
SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT
 
     The Company's operations are subject to various environmental laws and
regulations. Over the past several years, the Company has expended considerable
sums to add, improve, maintain and operate facilities for environmental
protection. Expenditures for equipment or facilities intended solely for
environmental protection are estimated to have been approximately $22 million in
fiscal year 1996 and are expected to be approximately $20 million in fiscal year
1997, and approximately $20 million in fiscal year 1998. Most of these
expenditures for fiscal years 1996-1998 are to enable Cabot's U.S. plants to
comply with the new requirements of the Clean Air Act.
 
     The Company has been named as a potentially responsible party under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980
(the "Superfund law") with respect to several sites (see Item 3, "Legal
Proceedings," on pages 8 through 10 of this Report for a description of various
environmental proceedings). During the next several years, as remediation of
various environmental sites is carried out, the Company expects to spend a
significant portion of its $44.5 million environmental reserve for costs
associated with such remediation. Additions are made to the reserve based on the
Company's continuing analysis of its share of costs likely to be incurred at
each site. The sites are primarily associated with divested businesses.
 
     The International Agency for Research on Cancer ("IARC") revised its
evaluation of carbon black from Group 3 (insufficient evidence to make a
determination regarding carcinogenicity) to Group 2B (known animal carcinogen,
possible human carcinogen), based solely on results of studies of female rat
response to the
 
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<PAGE>   8
 
inhalation of carbon black. The Company has communicated this change in IARC
evaluation of carbon black to its customers and employees and has made changes
to its material safety data sheets and elsewhere, as appropriate. The Company
continues to believe that 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 the Company's material safety data sheets.
 
*FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
 
     Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in the
statements included herein due to a variety of factors including market supply
and demand conditions, costs of raw materials, demand for our customers'
products and our competitors' reactions to market conditions. Timely
commercialization of products under development by the Company may be disrupted
or delayed by technical difficulties, market acceptance, competitors' new
products, as well as difficulties in moving from the experimental stage to the
production stage.
 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT INDUSTRY SEGMENTS, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC OPERATIONS
AND EXPORT SALES
 
     Industry segment financial data are set forth in tables on pages 19 and 38
and 39 of the Annual Report and are incorporated herein by reference. A
significant portion of the Company's revenues and operating profits is derived
from overseas operations. The profitability of the Specialty Chemicals and
Materials businesses is affected by fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar
relative to foreign currencies. The Company's overseas operations do not
currently include any energy-related businesses. (See Note N of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements for further information relating to sales and
profits by geographic area and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations, appearing on pages 38 and 39 and pages 17
through 24, respectively, in the Annual Report and incorporated herein by
reference). Currency fluctuations and nationalization and expropriation of
assets are risks inherent in international operations. The Company has taken
steps it deems prudent in its international operations to diversify and
otherwise to protect against these risks, including the purchase of forward
foreign currency contracts and options and writing of options to reduce the risk
associated with changes in the value of certain foreign currencies compared to
the U.S. dollar. (See Note M of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements on page 38 of the Annual Report.)
 
ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES
 
     The Company owns, operates and leases office, manufacturing, production,
storage, marketing and research and development facilities in the United States
and in foreign countries.
 
     The principal facilities of the Company's business units are described
generally in Item 1 above.
 
     The principal facilities owned by the Company in the United States are: (i)
the administrative offices and manufacturing plants of its carbon black
operations in Louisiana, Massachusetts, Texas and West Virginia (comprising
approximately 90,400 square yards); (ii) its research and development facilities
in Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Texas and its applications
development facility in Georgia (comprising approximately 24,700 square yards);
(iii) administrative offices and manufacturing plants of its Cab-O-Sil,
Microelectronics Materials Division and Cabot Performance Materials business
units in Illinois and Pennsylvania (comprising approximately 56,400 square
yards); and (iv) its LNG terminalling and storage facility in Massachusetts
(comprising approximately 3,200 square yards). Portions of plants in Louisiana
referred to above are constructed on long-term ground leases.
 
     The Company's principal foreign facilities are owned by subsidiaries and
together they comprise approximately 670,700 square yards of manufacturing
facilities, 4,300 square yards of research and development facilities, and
94,600 square yards of administrative facilities. Portions of the facilities in
the Czech Republic, India and Indonesia are located on leased land.
 
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<PAGE>   9
 
     The principal facilities leased by the Company in the United States are its
corporate headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts, the carbon black administrative
offices in Georgia and the administrative offices of the Cabot Performance
Materials business in Pennsylvania (comprising approximately 16,200 square
yards).
 
     The principal facilities leased by subsidiaries in locations outside of the
United States are administrative offices and manufacturing facilities of the
Cab-O-Sil business in Wales and the Plastics business in Belgium and
administrative offices and manufacturing and research and development facilities
of the carbon black operations in France, Malaysia and Spain, as well as certain
leasehold interests in Canada (collectively comprising approximately 109,800
square yards).
 
     The Company's administrative offices are generally suitable and adequate
for their intended purposes. Existing manufacturing facilities of the Company
are not sufficient to meet the Company's increased requirements for the future
and are being supplemented by additional production facilities in several
locations in the U.S. and outside the U.S. A new plant to produce fumed silica
is planned to be constructed in Midland, Michigan; projects to expand carbon
black production capacity are being undertaken in North America, South America
and Indonesia; projects to expand tantalum powder and wire capacity are planned
in Boyertown, Pennsylvania; and a cesium brine plant is under construction in
Manitoba, Canada. The cesium brine plant is scheduled for completion in 
March of 1997.
 
ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     The Company is a defendant in various lawsuits and environmental
proceedings wherein substantial amounts are claimed. The following is a
description of the significant proceedings pending as of September 30, 1996:
 
     Environmental Proceedings
 
     In 1994, Cabot and the State of Florida agreed to a settlement of a 1983
state court lawsuit requiring Cabot to pay the State $650,000 in past costs
associated with a site in Gainesville, Florida. The site included a parcel of
land on which Cabot previously owned and operated a pine tar distillation plant.
Cabot has filed a cost recovery suit against other responsible parties at the
site seeking reimbursement of their share of response costs. Settlements have
been reached with several defendants and the action is proceeding against the
others.
 
     In April 1985, Cabot and five other companies entered into a consent order
with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") under the Superfund law to
perform a remedial investigation and feasibility study with respect to the King
of Prussia Technical Corp. site in Winslow Township, New Jersey. A Record of
Decision ("ROD") was issued by the EPA specifying a combination of remedial
actions for the site at an estimated cost of almost $15 million. The EPA issued
an administrative order directing Cabot and four other companies to design and
complete the remedial measures. Most of the work on site remediation has been
completed. Cabot and the other companies involved have reached an agreement on
the portions of the costs to be borne by each company.
 
     Beginning in May 1986, the Department of Environmental Protection of the
State of New Jersey ("NJDEP") issued directives under the New Jersey Spill
Compensation and Control Act to Cabot and other potentially responsible parties
("PRPs") to fund a remedial investigation for the cleanup of a six acre site in
Old Bridge Township near Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Cabot and other parties
contributed funds for a remedial investigation and feasibility study which was
conducted by a consultant to the NJDEP. In September 1992, the EPA issued a ROD
specifying certain remedial actions and indicating that a second ROD would be
issued following further study. Preliminary action on the first ROD has been
taken by the NJDEP. A group of companies, including Cabot, has reached an
agreement with the NJDEP to perform an additional study of the site and to
handle minor remedial work. Until the study is complete, it will not be possible
to identify what the remediation costs for this site will be or what Cabot's
portion of such costs will be.
 
     In 1989, the United States filed a claim in the U.S. District Court for the
Eastern District of Pennsylvania against 18 defendants under the Superfund law
for recovery of the EPA's cleanup costs at Moyer's Landfill in Collegeville,
Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection ("PADEP")
intervened in this lawsuit. The government plaintiffs estimated their claims to
total $48 million. For several years
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
Moyer's Landfill was used for the disposal of municipal and industrial wastes by
numerous parties, including Cabot. More than 100 additional parties, including
Cabot, were brought into the litigation by means of a third-party complaint.
Recently, the EPA and PADEP have reached settlements with numerous parties,
including Cabot, and settlement documents have been filed with the Court.
 
     In 1989 and 1990, respectively, Cabot completed a remedial investigation
and feasibility study of its former beryllium processing plant in Hazleton,
Pennsylvania, and submitted the study to the PADEP. An environmental consultant
retained by Cabot has designed and implemented certain of the remedial measures
described in the study after consultation with the PADEP. The remedial work was
completed in 1996.
 
     Cabot is one of approximately 25 parties identified by the EPA as PRPs
under the Superfund law with respect to the cleanup of Fields Brook (the
"Brook"), a tributary of the Ashtabula River in northeastern Ohio. From 1963 to
1972, Cabot owned two manufacturing facilities located beside the Brook. The EPA
has specified a remedy for the site but continues to assess the condition of the
Brook. Cleanup is expected to begin in 1997 or 1998. Pursuant to an EPA
administrative order, 15 companies, including Cabot, are performing the design
and other preliminary work relating to sediment cleanup. Concurrently, the
companies and the EPA are evaluating remedial alternatives for the floodplain
and wetlands areas adjacent to the Brook. The EPA has not selected the remedy
for these areas. Consequently, it is not possible to determine future remedial
costs for the floodplain and wetlands. The EPA's cost recovery claims through
the end of 1989 have been settled; the companies, including Cabot, that have
paid for work at the site are seeking to recover a share of those costs from
other responsible parties. At one of the plants formerly operated by Cabot, two
subsequent owners are working with Cabot in evaluating site conditions and
potential remedies. The EPA has not selected the remedy for this plant site or
any other plant along the Brook. It is not possible at this time to determine
future remedial costs or Cabot's share of those costs. The State of Ohio has
also notified Cabot and several other companies that it will seek damages for
injury to natural resources at the Brook. Cabot is also engaged in arbitration
proceedings with the succeeding plant owners regarding costs associated with
remediation of the Brook and the plant site.
 
     In 1994, Detrex Chemical Industries, Inc. filed third-party complaints
against eight companies, including Cabot, in connection with material allegedly
sent to the Koski/RES landfill in Ashtabula, Ohio. Cabot and other third-party
defendants filed complaints against five additional companies that sent waste to
the site. It is not possible at this time to determine future remedial costs or
Cabot's share, if any, of such costs.
 
     In 1994, five plaintiffs filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the
Eastern District of Pennsylvania against 18 defendants, including Cabot, under
the Superfund law and State law seeking recovery of remediation costs at the
Berks Landfill site, which is located in the vicinity of Reading, Pennsylvania.
The plaintiffs claim that a beryllium alloy plant formerly owned by Cabot and
located in Reading, Pennsylvania sent waste to the Berks Landfill. The EPA has
not selected a remedy for the site. It is not possible at this time to determine
future remedial costs or the amount of those costs which Cabot may share with
the current owner.
 
     In 1994, the EPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order to Cabot and 11
other respondents pursuant to the Superfund law with respect to the Revere
Chemical Site (a/k/a Echo Site) in Nockamixon Township, Bucks County,
Pennsylvania (the "Revere Site"). The Order requires the respondents to design
and implement several remedial measures at the Revere Site, estimated to cost
approximately $15 million. Cabot's portion of that cost, if any, has not yet
been determined. Cabot has responded to the EPA's Order by indicating that it
should not have been named as a respondent and by raising several objections to
the Order.
 
     Cabot has received various requests for information and notifications that
it may be a PRP at several other Superfund sites.
 
     As of September 30, 1996, approximately $44.5 million was accrued for
environmental matters by the Company. The amount represents the Company's
current best estimate of costs likely to be incurred based on its analysis of
the extent of cleanup required, alternative cleanup methods available, abilities
of other responsible parties to contribute and its interpretation of laws and
regulations applicable to each site.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
     Breast Implant Litigation
 
     Cabot was named as a defendant in fewer than 100 breast implant lawsuits.
As a result of dismissals, without any settlement payments, in a number of cases
and summary judgments granted to Cabot in the remainder of the cases, Cabot is
not a defendant in any breast implant lawsuits. Cabot cannot at this time
predict with accuracy whether any of the cases that were dismissed will be
reinstated, or whether it will be added as a defendant in any other breast
implant lawsuits.
 
     Other Proceedings
 
     The Company has various other lawsuits, claims and contingent liabilities
arising in the ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of the Company,
although final disposition of all of its suits and claims may impact the
Company's financial statements in a particular period, it should not, in the
aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position.
(See Note L of the Notes to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements on
pages 37 and 38 of the Annual Report).
 
ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
     None.
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
     Set forth below for each person who was an executive officer of Cabot at
the end of the fiscal year is information as of December 20, 1996, regarding his
age, position(s) with Cabot, the periods during which he served as an officer
and his business experience during at least the past five years:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          NAME            AGE    OFFICES HELD/BUSINESS EXPERIENCE              DATES HELD
- ------------------------  ---   -----------------------------------  ------------------------------
<S>                       <C>   <C>                                  <C>
Samuel W. Bodman........  58    Cabot Corporation
                                Chairman of the Board                October 1988 to present
                                President                            February 1991 to February 1995
                                                                     January 1987 to October 1988
                                Chief Executive Officer              February 1988 to present
Kennett F. Burnes.......  53    Cabot Corporation
                                President                            February 1995 to present
                                Executive Vice President             October 1988 to February 1995
                                Vice President and General           November 1987 to October 1988
                                Counsel
Winfred R. Cates........  56    Cabot Corporation
                                Senior Vice President                May 1996 to present
                                Vice President                       May 1990 to May 1996
Kenyon C. Gilson........  53    Cabot Corporation
                                Chief Financial Officer              October 1995 to present
                                Executive Vice President             March 1996 to present
                                Vice President                       August 1989 to present
Paul J. Gormisky........  43    Cabot Corporation
                                Controller                           April 1995 to present
                                Vice President                       February 1994 to present
                                Director of Finance,                 May 1993 to April 1995
                                Carbon Black
                                Director of Corporate                May 1990 to May 1993
                                Planning
Robert Rothberg.........  47    Cabot Corporation
                                Vice President and                   October 1993 to present
                                General Counsel
                                Choate, Hall & Stewart               January 1982 to October 1993
                                  (law firm), Partner
</TABLE>
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
                                    PART II
 
ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS
 
     Cabot's common stock is listed for trading (symbol CBT) on the New York,
Boston, and Pacific Stock Exchanges. As of September 30, 1996, there were
approximately 2,100 holders of record of Cabot's common stock. The price range
in which the stock has traded, as reported on the composite tape, and the
quarterly cash dividends for the past two years are shown below, restated to
reflect the two-for-one stock split in March 1996.
 
STOCK PRICE AND DIVIDEND DATA
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             DECEMBER     MARCH       JUNE      SEPTEMBER      YEAR
                                             --------     ------     ------     ---------     ------
<S>                                           <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>
FISCAL 1996
Cash dividends per share...................   $ 0.09      $ 0.09     $ 0.09      $ 0.09       $ 0.36
Price range of common stock:
  High.....................................   $27.00      $31.38     $31.38      $28.75      $31.38
  Low......................................   $23.25      $26.69     $24.50      $22.88       $22.88
  Close....................................   $26.94      $30.50     $24.50      $27.88       $27.88
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             DECEMBER     MARCH       JUNE      SEPTEMBER      YEAR
                                             --------     ------     ------     ---------     ------
<S>                                           <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>
FISCAL 1995
Cash dividends per share...................   $ 0.07      $ 0.07     $ 0.07      $ 0.09       $ 0.30
Price range of common stock:
  High.....................................   $14.38      $18.57     $26.38      $28.94       $28.94
  Low......................................   $12.82      $14.06     $18.44      $24.07       $12.82
  Close....................................   $14.19      $18.44     $26.38      $26.57       $26.57
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     Cabot Corporation Selected Financial Data:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                                  -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     1996          1995          1994          1993           1992
                                  ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------     ----------
                                           (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                               <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>
Financial Highlights
  Net sales and other operating
     revenues...................  $1,856,269    $1,830,393    $1,679,819    $1,614,315     $1,556,986
                                  ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------     ----------
  Income before cumulative
     effect of accounting 
     changes....................  $  194,057    $  171,932    $   78,691    $   37,410     $   62,223
                                  ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------     ----------
  Long-term debt................  $  321,497    $  306,443    $  307,828    $  459,275     $  479,882
  Minority interest.............  $   27,138    $    7,411    $       --    $       --     $    9,756
  Stockholders' equity..........  $  744,931    $  685,000    $  562,489    $  442,273     $  492,955
                                  ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------     ----------
          Total
            capitalization......  $1,093,566    $  998,854    $  870,317    $  901,548     $  982,593
                                  ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------     ----------
          Total assets..........  $1,857,581    $1,654,333    $1,616,756    $1,489,473     $1,554,529
                                  ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------     ----------
Per Share:
  Income before cumulative
   effect of accounting 
   changes......................  $     2.60    $     2.17    $     0.98    $     0.45(a)  $     0.79
  Net income....................  $     2.60    $     2.17    $     0.98    $     0.10(b)  $     0.79
  Cash dividends................  $     0.36    $     0.30    $     0.27    $     0.26     $     0.26
                                  ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------     ----------
Average shares outstanding --
  thousands.....................      73,237        77,452        76,498        74,876         73,604
                                  ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------     ----------
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(a) Includes charges of $0.42 per share for the restructuring of the Company's
    Specialty Chemicals and Materials businesses and favorable energy accrual
    adjustment of $0.12 per share. (see Item 7)
 
(b) Includes a charge of $0.35 per share for the cumulative effect of required
    accounting changes. (see Item 7)
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
 
     The information required by this Item appears in the Annual Report on pages
17 to 24 and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
     The information required by this item appears in the Annual Report on pages
25 through 39 and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS AND ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
     None.
 
                                    PART III
 
ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
     The information required regarding the executive officers of Cabot is
included in Part I in the unnumbered item captioned "Executive Officers of the
Registrant." Certain other information required regarding the directors of Cabot
is contained in the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the 1997 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders ("Proxy Statement") on pages 2 through 5 under the heading "Certain
Information Regarding Directors." All of such information is incorporated herein
by reference.
 
     The information required regarding the filing of reports by directors,
executive officers and 10% stockholders with the Securities and Exchange
Commission relating to transactions in Cabot stock is contained in the Proxy
Statement on page 16 under the heading "Certain Securities Filings" and is
incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The information required is contained in the Proxy Statement on pages 9
through 12 under the heading "Executive Compensation." All of such information
is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
     The information required is contained in the Proxy Statement on pages 7 and
8 under the heading "Beneficial Stock Ownership of Directors, Executive Officers
and Persons Owning More than Five Percent of Common Stock." All of such
information is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
     The information required by this item is contained in the Proxy Statement
on page 15. All of such information is incorporated herein by reference.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
                                    PART IV
 
ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
     (a) Financial Statements.  The following are incorporated herein by
reference in this Report from the indicated pages of the Company's Annual
Report:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        DESCRIPTION                                  PAGE
                                        -----------                                --------
     <S>  <C>                                                                      <C>
     (1)  Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three fiscal years
          in the period ended September 30, 1996................................      25
     (2)  Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 1996 and 1995............   26 to 27
     (3)  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three fiscal
          years in the period ended September 30, 1996..........................      28
     (4)  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements............................   29 to 39
     (5)  Statement of Management Responsibility for Financial Reporting and
          Report of Independent Accountants relating to the Consolidated
          Financial Statements listed above.....................................      40
</TABLE>
 
     (b) Reports on Form 8-K.  None.
 
     (c) 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.
The Company will furnish to any stockholder, upon written request, any exhibit
listed below upon payment by such stockholder to the Company of the Company's
reasonable expenses in furnishing such exhibit.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT
   NUMBER                                       DESCRIPTION
- ------------                                    -----------
 <S>          <C>   <C>
 3(a)         --    Certificate of Incorporation of Cabot Corporation restated effective
                    October 24, 1983, as amended February 14, 1985, December 3, 1986,
                    February 19, 1987, November 18, 1988, November 24, 1995 and March
                    12, 1996, filed herewith.
 3(b)         --    The By-laws of Cabot Corporation as of January 11, 1991
                    (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(b) of Cabot's Annual
                    Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1991, file
                    reference 1-5667, filed with the Commission on December 27, 1991).
 4(a)         --    Rights Agreement, dated as of November 10, 1995, between Cabot
                    Corporation and The First National Bank of Boston as Rights Agent
                    (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Cabot's
                    Registration Statement on Form 8-A, file reference 1-5667, filed
                    with the Commission on November 13, 1995).
 4(b)(i)      --    Indenture, dated as of December 1, 1987, between Cabot Corporation
                    and The First National Bank of Boston, Trustee (incorporated herein
                    by reference to Exhibit 4 of Amendment No. 1 to Cabot's Registration
                    Statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 33-18883, filed with the
                    Commission on December 10, 1987).
 4(b)(ii)     --    First Supplement Indenture dated as of June 17, 1992, to Indenture,
                    dated as of December 1, 1987, between Cabot Corporation and The
                    First National Bank of Boston, Trustee (incorporated by reference to
                    Exhibit 4.3 of Cabot's Registration Statement on Form S-3,
                    Registration Statement No. 33-48686, filed with the Commission on
                    June 18, 1992).
 4(c)(i)+     --    Finance Agreement between PT. Cabot Chemical and Overseas Private
                    Investment Corporation dated September 10, 1991.
 4(c)(ii)+    --    Facility Agreement and Acknowledgment of Indebtedness (The Hongkong
                    and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited) dated January 10, 1992.
 4(c)(iii)+   --    Project Completion Agreement between Cabot, PT. Cabot Chemical and
                    The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited dated April
                    28, 1992.
</TABLE>
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT
   NUMBER                                       DESCRIPTION
- ------------                                    -----------
<S>           <C>   <C>
10(a)(i)      --    Credit Agreement, dated as of January 13, 1994, among Cabot
                    Corporation and 11 banks and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New
                    York, as agent for the banks (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4
                    of Cabot's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
                    December 31, 1993, file reference 1-5667, filed with the Commission
                    on February 16, 1993).
10(a)(ii)     --    Amendment No. 1, dated January 13, 1995, to Credit Agreement, dated
                    as of January 13, 1994, among Cabot Corporation and 11 banks and
                    Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as agent for the banks
                    (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(b)(ii) of Cabot's
                    Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1995,
                    file reference 1-5667, filed with the Commission on 
                    December 29, 1995).
10(a)(iii)    --    Amendment No. 2, dated as of May 31, 1996, to Credit Agreement dated
                    as of January 13, 1994, among Cabot Corporation and 11 banks and
                    Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as agent for the banks,
                    filed herewith.
10(b)(i)*     --    Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated herein by reference
                    to Exhibit 99 of Cabot's Registration Statement on Form S-8,
                    Registration No. 33-28699, filed with the Commission on 
                    May 12, 1989).
10(b)(ii)*    --    1996 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to
                    Exhibit 28 of Cabot's Registration Statement on Form S-8,
                    Registration No. 333-03683, filed with the Commission on 
                    May 14, 1996).
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 Commission on December 29, 1988).
10(d)(i)*     --    Supplemental Cash Balance Plan (incorporated herein by reference to
                    Exhibit 10(e)(i) of Cabot's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                    ended September 30, 1994, file reference 1-5667, filed with the
                    Commission on December 22, 1994).
10(d)(ii)*    --    Supplemental Employee Stock Ownership Plan (incorporated herein by
                    reference to Exhibit 10(e)(ii) of Cabot's Annual Report on Form 10-K
                    for the year ended September 30, 1994, file reference 1-5667, filed
                    with the Commission on December 22, 1994).
10(d)(iii)*   --    Supplemental Retirement Incentive Savings Plan (incorporated herein
                    by reference to Exhibit 10(e)(iii) of Cabot's Annual Report on Form
                    10-K for the year ended September 30, 1994, file reference 1-5667,
                    filed with the Commission on December 22, 1994).
10(d)(iv)*    --    Supplemental Employee Benefit Agreement with John G.L. Cabot
                    (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(f) of Cabot's Annual
                    Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1987, file
                    reference 1-5667, filed with the Commission on December 28, 1987).
10(d)(v)*     --    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 Commission on 
                    December 29, 1995).
10(e)*        --    Form of severance agreement entered into between Cabot Corporation
                    and various managers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
                    10(g) of Cabot's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                    September 30, 1991, file reference 1-5667, filed with the Commission
                    on December 27, 1991).
10(f)         --    Group Annuity Contract No. GA-6121 between The Prudential Insurance
                    Company of America and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated
                    June 28, 1991 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(h) of
                    Cabot's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30,
                    1991, file reference 1-5667, filed with the Commission on 
                    December 27, 1991).
</TABLE>
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT
   NUMBER                                       DESCRIPTION
- ------------                                    -----------
<S>           <C>   <C>
10(g)*        --    Non-employee Directors' Stock Compensation Plan (incorporated herein
                    by reference to Exhibit A of Cabot's Proxy Statement for its 1992
                    Annual Meeting of Stockholders, file reference 1-5667, filed with
                    the Commission on December 27, 1991).
10(h)(i)      --    Amended and Restated Omnibus Acquisition Agreement among American
                    Oil and Gas Corporation, Cabot Corporation and Cabot Transmission
                    Corporation dated as of November 13, 1989 (incorporated herein by
                    reference to Exhibit (2) of Cabot's Current Report on Form 8-K,
                    dated November 16, 1989, file reference 1-5667, filed with the
                    Commission).
10(h)(ii)     --    Amended and Restated Basket Agreement among American Oil and Gas
                    Corporation, American Pipeline Company, Cabot Corporation and Cabot
                    Transmission Corporation, dated as of June 30, 1990 (incorporated
                    herein by reference to Exhibit 10(n) of Cabot's Annual Report on
                    Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1990, file reference
                    1-5667, filed with the Commission on December 24, 1990).
10(h)(iii)    --    First Amendment, dated March 31, 1992, to Amended and Restated
                    Omnibus Acquisition Agreement among American Oil and Gas
                    Corporation, Cabot Corporation and Cabot Transmission Corporation,
                    dated as of November 13, 1989, and to Amended and Restated Basket
                    Agreement among American Oil and Gas Corporation, American Pipeline
                    Company, Cabot Corporation and Cabot Transmission Corporation, dated
                    as of June 30, 1990 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
                    10(i)(ii) of Cabot's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                    September 30, 1992, file reference 1-5667, filed with the Commission
                    on December 24, 1992).
10(i)         --    Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of Liquefied Natural Gas and
                    Transportation Agreement, dated April 13, 1976, between L'Entreprise
                    Nationale pour la Recherche, la Production, le Transport, la
                    Transformation et la Commercialisation des Hydrocarbures
                    ("Sonatrach") and Distrigas Corporation, and Amendment No. 3 to said
                    Agreement, dated February 21, 1988 (incorporated herein by reference
                    to Exhibit 10(j) of Cabot's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                    ended September 30, 1994, file reference 1-5667, filed with the
                    Commission on December 22, 1994).
10(j)         --    Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of Liquefied Natural Gas, dated
                    December 11, 1988, between Sonatrading Amsterdam B.V.
                    ("Sonatrading") and Distrigas Corporation and Transportation
                    Agreement, dated December 11, 1988, between Sonatrach and Distrigas
                    Corporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(p) of
                    Cabot's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30,
                    1989, file reference 1-5667, filed with the Commission on 
                    December 28, 1989).
10(k)         --    Mutual Assurances Agreements among Cabot Corporation, Sonatrach,
                    Distrigas Corporation and Sonatrading dated February 21, 1988 and
                    December 11, 1988, respectively (incorporated herein by reference to
                    Exhibit 10.1 of Cabot's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 17,
                    1992, file reference 1-5667, filed with the Commission).
10(l)(i)      --    Agreement between K N Energy, Inc. ("KNE"), American Oil and Gas
                    Corporation ("AOG") and Cabot Corporation, dated June 27, 1994
                    (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Cabot's Schedule
                    13D relating to KNE, file reference 1-5667, filed with the
                    Commission on July 22, 1994 [the "KNE Schedule 13D"]).
10(l)(ii)     --    Registration Rights Agreement between KNE and Cabot Corporation,
                    dated July 13, 1994 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2
                    of the KNE Schedule 13D).
10(l)(iii)    --    Share Transfer and Registration Agreement between KNE and Cabot
                    Corporation, dated July 13, 1994 (incorporated herein by reference
                    to Exhibit 3 of the KNE Schedule 13D).
</TABLE>
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT
   NUMBER                                       DESCRIPTION
- ------------                                    -----------
<S>           <C>   <C>
10(l)(iv)     --    KNE By-law provision (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
                    10(o)(iv) of Cabot's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                    September 30, 1994, file reference 1-5667, filed with the Commission
                    on December 22, 1994).
10(m)(i)      --    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 Commission).
10(m)(ii)     --    Stockholders' Agreement, dated as of July 11, 1995, among Vestar
                    Equity Partners, L.P., Cabot CSC Corporation, Cabot Safety Holdings
                    Corporation, Cabot Corporation and various other parties thereto
                    (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2(b) of Cabot
                    Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated July 11, 1995, file
                    reference 1-5667, filed with the Commission).
11            --    Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings, filed herewith.
12            --    Statement Re: Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges,
                    filed herewith.
13            --    Pages 17 through 40 of the 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders of
                    Cabot Corporation, a copy of which is furnished for the information
                    of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Portions of the Annual
                    Report not incorporated herein by reference are not deemed "filed"
                    with the Commission.
21            --    List of Significant Subsidiaries, filed herewith.
24            --    Power of attorney dated November 8, 1996 for signing of this Annual
                    Report on Form 10-K, filed herewith.
27            --    Financial Data Schedule, filed herewith.
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
+ The Registrant agrees to furnish to the Commission upon request a copy of
  these instruments with respect to long-term debt (not filed as an exhibit),
  none of which relates to securities exceeding 10% of the total assets of the
  Registrant and its consolidated subsidiaries.
 
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
 
     (d) Schedules.  The Schedules have been omitted for the reason that they
are not required or are not applicable or the required information is shown in
the financial statements or notes thereto.
 
     For the purposes of complying with the amendments to the rules governing
Form S-8 (effective July 13, 1990) under the Securities Act of 1933, the
undersigned Registrant undertakes as follows, which undertaking shall be
incorporated by reference into Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8
No. 33-28699 (filed May 12, 1989), the Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form S-8 No. 33-52940 (filed October 5, 1992), the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-8 No. 33-53659 (filed May 16, 1994), the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-8 No. 333-03683 (filed May 14, 1996) and the
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 No. 333-06629 (filed 
June 21, 1996).
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 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 (Registrant)
 
                                          By     /s/  Samuel W. Bodman,
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                     Samuel W. Bodman,
                                                 Chairman of the Board and
                                                  Chief Executive Officer
 
Date: December 20, 1996
 
     Pursuant to the requirement 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.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 SIGNATURES                               TITLE                    DATE
                 ----------                               -----                    ----
<C>                                            <S>                           <C>
             /s/ Samuel W. Bodman              Chairman of the Board and     December 20, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------    Director (Principal
              Samuel W. Bodman                   Executive Officer)

             /s/ Kenyon C. Gilson              Executive Vice President and  December 20, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------    Chief Financial Officer
              Kenyon C. Gilson                   (Principal Financial
                                                 Officer)
             /s/ Paul J. Gormisky              Vice President and            December 20, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------    Controller (Principal
              Paul J. Gormisky                   Accounting Officer)

                      *                        Director                      December 20, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
               Jane C. Bradley

            /s/ Kennett F. Burnes              Director and President        December 20, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
              Kennett F. Burnes

                      *                        Director                      December 20, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
               John G.L. Cabot

                      *                        Director                      December 20, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
             Arthur L. Goldstein

                      *                        Director                      December 20, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
             Robert P. Henderson

                      *                        Director                      December 20, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
               Arnold S. Hiatt

                      *                        Director                      December 20, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
              John H. McArthur
</TABLE>
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 SIGNATURES                               TITLE                    DATE
                 ----------                               -----                    ----
<C>                                            <S>                           <C>
                      *                        Director                      December 20, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
               John F. O'Brien

                      *                        Director                      December 20, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
               David V. Ragone

                      *                        Director                      December 20, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
            Charles P. Siess, Jr.

                      *                        Director                      December 20, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
              Morris Tanenbaum

                      *                        Director                      December 20, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
               Lydia W. Thomas

</TABLE>
 
*By   /s/  William F. Robinson, Jr.
    ----------------------------------
         William F. Robinson, Jr.
           as Attorney-in-Fact
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
=============================================================================== 
                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
                            ------------------------
 
                                   FORM 10-K
 
                 ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                            ------------------------

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996       COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-5667
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               CABOT CORPORATION
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
 
                            ------------------------
 
                                    EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
    EXHIBIT
     NUMBER
   ---------
  <S>             <C>
   3(a)      --   Certificate of Incorporation of Cabot Corporation restated effective
                  October 24, 1983, as amended February 14, 1985, December 3, 1986, February
                  19, 1987, November 18, 1988, November 24, 1995 and March 12, 1996.
  10(a)(iii)  --  Amendment No. 2, dated as of May 31, 1996, to Credit Agreement dated as of
                  January 13, 1994 among Cabot Corporation and 11 banks and Morgan Guaranty
                  Trust Company of New York, as agent for the banks.
  11          --  Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings.
  12          --  Statement Re: Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
  13          --  Pages 17 through 40 of the 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders of Cabot
                  Corporation.
  21          --  List of Significant Subsidiaries.
  24          --  Power of attorney for signing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
</TABLE>
 
=============================================================================== 

<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 3

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

                                       OF

                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION


         The undersigned officer of CABOT CORPORATION, a corporation organized
and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does
hereby certify:

         FIRST: That at a meeting of the Board of Directors of CABOT CORPORATION
held on November 10, 1995, a vote was duly adopted setting forth a proposed
amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of said corporation, declaring
said amendment to be advisable and directing that said amendment be considered
at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The vote setting forth the proposed
amendment is as follows:

                  "VOTED: That the Board of Directors of Cabot Corporation
         hereby approves and declares advisable the following amendment of the
         Certificate of Incorporation of Cabot Corporation, and directs that
         said amendment be considered at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
         Cabot Corporation to be held on March 7, 1996, or any adjournment or
         postponement thereof:

                  Article FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation is hereby
         amended by striking out the first paragraph thereof, which now reads as
         follows:

                  'FOURTH:   The total number of shares of common stock which 
         this corporation shall have authority to issue is eighty million shares
          and the par value of each of such shares is one dollar ($1.00)
         amounting in the aggregate to eighty million dollars ($80,000,000).'

         and inserting the following in place thereof:

                  'FOURTH:   The total number of shares of common stock which 
         this corporation shall have authority to issue is two hundred million 
         shares and the par value of each of such shares is one dollar ($1.00) 
         amounting in the aggregate to two hundred million dollars 
         ($200,000,000).' "

         SECOND: That thereafter, pursuant to a vote of its Board of Directors,
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of said corporation was duly called and held
on March 7, 1996, upon notice in accordance with Section 222 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware at which meeting the necessary number
of shares as required by statute to adopt said amendment was voted in favor of
the amendment.
<PAGE>   2
         THIRD: That said amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the
provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed and subscribed this certificate and
do affirm the foregoing as true under penalties of perjury this 12th day of
March, 1996.



                                                      /s/  Kennett F. Burnes
                                                      _________________________
                                                      Kennett F.Burnes
                                                      President




Attest:



/s/ Charles D. Gerlinger
________________________
Charles D. Gerlinger
Secretary




<PAGE>   3
                                                                   EXHIBIT 3 (a)
                                                                   -------------


                     RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                       OF

                               CABOT CORPORATION
                    (Originally incorporated July 14, 1960)

          Pursuant to Section 245, Subchapter VIII, Chapter 1, Title 8

                                     of the

                      General Corporation Law of Delaware

        CABOT CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, by authority of its Board of
Directors set forth in a vote duly adopted on October 14, 1983, restates and
integrates its Certificate of Incorporation to read in full as herein set
forth:

        FIRST:  The name of this corporation is


                               CABOT CORPORATION


        SECOND:  Its principal office in the State of Delaware is located at
No. 100 West Tenth Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. 
The name and address of its resident agent is The Corporation Trust Company,
No. 100 West Tenth Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.

        THIRD:  The nature of the business of this corporation and the objects
or purposes to be transacted, promoted and carried on by it are as follows:
<PAGE>   4


        1.   To acquire, by merger, consolidation, or otherwise, the businesses
now owned and carried on by the following corporations organized and existing
under the Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

                (a) Godfrey L. Cabot, Inc.

                (b) Cabot Carbon Company

                (c) Cabot Shops, Inc.

                (d) Cabot Gasoline Corporation

together with all their property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises;
and to assume in connection therewith all of the debts, liabilities and duties
of the said Massachusetts corporations.

        2.  To manufacture, produce, compound, refine, buy or otherwise
acquire, to sell or otherwise dispose of, and to deal in chemicals of every
description, chemical mixtures, medicines, pharmaceutical supplies, chemical
and medicinal preparations, drugs (except as forbidden by law), and any other
chemical products in the form of raw materials or otherwise, and by-products
derived from the manufacture thereof or made therefrom, carbon black, furnace
black, dye-stuffs, cements, minerals, superphosphates, soap, fertilizers,
paints, varnishes, pigments, polishes, stains, oils, acids, alcohols, coal,
coke, coal-tar, coal-tar products and derivatives, peat, peat products, rubber,
rubber goods, synthetic rubber, butadiene, and other petrochemicals of every
description, and all oher products related to any one or more of the foregoing.


                                      
                                      2
                                      


<PAGE>   5

        3.  To prospect, explore, drill for, produce and accumulate oil and
gas, liquified petroleum gas and natural gasoline; to buy, lease or otherwise
acquire, to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of, and to deal in oil, gas,
natural gasoline and any and all materials incidental to or necessary for the
production of oil, gas, natural gasoline, and all the by-products thereof, and
oil and gas rights, privileges and leases of all kinds and descriptions.

        4.  To mine, produce, manufacture, refine, handle, buy, or otherwise
acquire, and to sell or otherwise dispose of, and to deal in elements,
minerals, metals, ores, precious stones and base materials of every nature and
products using the same.

        5.  To buy, sell, manufacture, fabricate, produce and deal in steel,
iron, and other metals, metal products, and all other building materials; to
construct, maintain, work or operate, plants, mills, furnaces, factories,
engines, boilers, machinery and tools; and to carry on the business of
mechanical engineers and dealers in machinery and manufacturers of plants,
engines and other machinery, tool makers, brass founders, metal workers, boiler
makers, mill-wrights, machinists, iron and steel converters, smiths, builders,
carpenters, metallurgists, and electrical, civil, mechanical and water supply
engineers.

        6.  To conduct research, scientific or technical investigations and
experiments, development work and pilot plant work, and training and
educational programs, and to seek for and develop inventions, processes,
improvements, new or improved products, and uses for products, new or improved
manufacturing and operating techniques and methods, and wider scientific,
technical, manufacturing and operating knowledge, and to furnish, to this
corporation or to others, consulting, engineering, testing, experimental and
other services, all as may relate or be incidental to or be useful or
advantageous in or in connection with any business, operation or activity in
which this corporation is authorized to engage.



                                      3

<PAGE>   6



        7.  To manage and operate, in whole or in part, and to keep the books,
accounts and records, in whole or in part, of any other corporation, firm or
entity, and to enter into contracts for the performance of such service.

        8.  To carry on any manufacturing, selling, management, service,
research or other business, operation or activity which is lawful to be carried
on by a corporation organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware as amended, whether or not similar or related or incidental to or
useful or advantageous in or in connection with the businesses, operations and
activities referred to in the foregoing paragraphs.

        9.  To manufacture, produce, purchase, lease or otherwise acquire, to
own, operate, and process, to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of, and to deal
in all kinds of machines, machinery, plant equipment, tools, materials,
merchandise, fixtures, goods and other property of all kinds useful in or in
connection with any business or activity in which this corporation is
authorized to engage.

        10.  To explore, prospect, buy, lease or otherwise acquire, to own,
hold and operate, to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of, and to deal in lands,
mining claims, water claims, water rights, mineral rights, and any other
rights, oil wells, gas wells, oil lands, gas lands and other real property, the
rights and interest in and to real property, manufacturing plants,
laboratories, pilot plants, oil refineries, gas works and plants, including
plants for the production of coke, gasoline, and other by-products, mines,
smelters, warehouses, offices and other buildings, structures, building
equipment, pipelines, railroads, and real estate improvements, all to the
extent permitted by law and as may relate or be incidental to or be useful in
or in connection with any business or activity in which this corporation is
authorized to engage.


                                       4

<PAGE>   7

        11.  To acquire, hold, use, sell, assign, lease, grant licenses under,
or otherwise dispose of, letters patent of the United States or any foreign
country, patent rights, licenses and privileges, inventions, improvements and
processes, copyrights, trademarks and trade names, relating to or useful in
connection with any business in which this corporation is authorized to engage.

        12.  To subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire, to hold and own,
to sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of, and generally to deal in and
with, securities, and while the holder or owner thereof to have and exercise
all rights, powers and privileges of ownership, including the right to vote or
consent or give proxies or powers of attorney therefor; and to carry on any
business, operation or activity through a wholly or partly owned subsidiary.

        13.  To acquire by purchase, exchange, merger or consolidation or
otherwise all or any part of the property and assets, including the business,
good will, rights and franchises, of any corporation, association, trust, firm
or individual wherever organized, created or located, and in payment or
exchange therefor to pay cash, transfer property and issue securities to the
transferor or its security holders and to assume or become liable for any
liabilities and obligations; and to hold and operate or in any manner to
dispose of all or any part of the property and assets so acquired.

        14.  To dispose by sale, exchange, merger or consolidation or
otherwise, of all or any part of the property and assets, including the
business, good will, rights and franchises, of this corporation, to any
corporation, association, trust, firm or individual wherever organized, created
or located, for cash or property, including securities, or the assumption of
the liabilities and obligations of this corporation, and if desired, and
subject to the rights of creditors and preferred stockholders (if any), to
distribute such cash, securities or other property to the security holders of
this corporation in exchange for or in partial or complete liquidation or
redemption of their securities.

                                       5

<PAGE>   8

        15.  To enter into, make and perform contracts of every kind and
description with any person, firm, association, corporation, municipality,
county, state, body politic or government or colony or dependency thereof.

        16.  To have one or more offices and to carry on all or any of
operations and businesses in any and all parts of the world.

        17.  To borrow money and obtain credit; for money borrowed or for sale
or pledge or in order to pay, evidence or secure any liability or obligation,
to execute, issue and deliver and sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of bonds,
notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured; to
give security for any such bonds, notes, debentures or other evidences of
indebtedness or for any purchase price, guaranty, line of credit, covenant,
fidelity or performance bond or any other liability or obligation and any
premium interest and other sums due thereon or therewith and any covenants or
obligations connected therewith; and for the foregoing purposes to mortgage or
pledge or execute an indenture of mortgage or deed of trust upon or create a
lien upon or other security title or security interest in all or any part of
the property and assets, real and personal, of this corporation, then owned or
thereafter acquired.

        18.  To lend money, credit or security to, and to guarantee or assume
any liabilities and obligations of, and to aid in any other manner any
corporation, association, trust, firm or individual wherever organized, created
or located, any of whose securities are held by this corporation or in whose
affairs or prosperity this corporation has a lawful interest, and to do all
acts and things designed to protect, improve or enhance the value of such
securities or interest.

                                      6

<PAGE>   9

        19.  The directors of this corporation are authorized to make
charitable contributions as defined in the United States Internal Revenue Code,
as from time to time amended, in such amounts as the directors may determine to
be reasonable.

        20.  To do any and all acts and things in this Article Third set forth,
to the same extent as an individual might or could do, as principal, factor,
consignee, agent, contractor or otherwise, and either alone or in conjunction
or jointly with any corporation, association, trust, firm or individual; and,
in general, to do any and all acts and things and to engage in any and all
businesses whatsoever, necessary, suitable, advantageous or proper for or in
connection with or incidental to the exercise, transaction, promotion or
carrying on of any of the businesses, powers, purposes or objects in this
Article Third set forth; excepting in every case all acts, things and
businesses forbidden by law.

        21.  In this Article Third the word "securities" means, to the extent
that the context permits, stocks, shares, bonds, notes, debentures and other
evidences of interest in or indebtedness of any corporation, association, trust
or firm, and notes and other evidences or indebtedness of any individual, and
bonds, notes, debentures and other evidences of indebtedness of any country,
state, county, city, town or other governmental body or agency.

        22.  In this certificate of incorporation, unless it is otherwise
expressly provided, the statements of the businesses, objects and purposes of
this corporation shall be construed both as objects and powers, the enumeration
of specific powers shall not be held to limit or restrict in any manner the
exercise by this corporation of the general powers conferred upon corporations
by the laws of the State of Delaware, and no statement of any business, object
or purpose shall be deemed to limit or be exclusive of any other stated
business, object or purpose, but all are separate and cumulative and all may be
transacted, promoted and carried on separately or together and at any time and
from time to time.

                                       7
<PAGE>   10


        FOURTH:  The total number of shares of common stock which this
corporation shall have authority to issue is eighty million shares and the par
value of each of such shares is one dollar ($1.00) amounting in the aggregate
to Eighty Million Dollars ($80,000,000).

        The total number of shares of preferred stock which this corporation
shall have authority to issue is two million shares and the par value of each
of such shares is One Dollar ($1.00) amounting in the aggregate to Two Million
Dollars ($2,000,000).  The Board of Directors may provide for the issuance of
such preferred stock in one or more series, each series to have such voting
powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, such designations, preferences
and relative participating, optional or other special rights, and such
qualifications, limitations or retrictions thereof, and to be subject to such
terms of redemption, if any, as shall be specified by the Board of Directors
and stated and expressed in the vote or votes of the Board of Directors
providing for the issue of such preferred stock.

        The holders of the common stock shall be entitled to one vote for each
share of common stock registered in their respective names on the books of this
corporation.

        The board of directors may from time to time, in connection with any
employee stock option or purchase plan, fix limitations and restrictions on the
transfer of any or all of the authorized but unissued shares of this
corporation made available for such stock option or purchase plan, such
restrictions to take effect upon the issue of such shares.  No such limitation
or restriction shall be valid unless notice thereof is given on the certificate
or certificates representing such shares.


                                       8
<PAGE>   11


        No stockholder of this corporation shall by reason of his holding
shares of any class have any pre-emptive or preferential purchase or subscribe
to any shares of any class of this corporation, now or hereafter to be
authorized, or any notes, debentures, bonds, or other securities convertible
into or carrying options or warrants to purchase shares of any class, now or
hereafter to be authorized, whether or not the issue of any such shares, or such
notes, debentures, bonds or other securities would adversely affect the dividend
or voting rights of such stockholder, other than such rights, if any, as the
board of directors, in its discretion from time to time may grant, and at such
price as the board of directors in its discretion may fix; and the board of
directors may issue shares of any class of this corporation, or any notes,
debentures, bonds, or other securities convertible into or carrying options or
warrants to purchase shares of any class, without offering any such shares or
securities, either in whole or in part, to the existing stockholders of any
class.

        FIFTH:  The minimum amount of capital with which the corporation will
commence business is One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).

        The board of directors, without the assent of or other action by the
stockholders, may from time to time authorize the issue and sale of shares of
stock of this corporation now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration
and upon such terms as the board of directors may determine, or the board of
directors may authorize such consideration and terms to be fixed in whole or in
part by any officer or officers of this corporation.

        SIXTH:  This corporation is to have perpetual existence.

        SEVENTH:  The private property of the stockholders shall not be subject
to the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatever.


                                       9

<PAGE>   12

        EIGHTH:  The following provisions are inserted for the regulation and
conduct of the affairs of this corporation, and it is expressly provided that
they are intended to be in furtherance and not in limitation or exclusion of
the powers elsewhere conferred herein or in the by-laws or conferred by law:

        (a)  Except as may be otherwise expressly required by law or by other
    provisions of this certificate of incorporation or by the by-laws, the
    board of directors shall have and may exercise, transact, manage, promote
    and carry on all of the powers, authorities, businesses, objects and
    purposes of this corporation.

        (b)  The directors who are not directors emeritus shall be divided into
    three classes of approximately equal size.  At the annual meeting to be
    held January 21, 1969, one class shall be elected to a term of three years,
    another class to a term of two years, and the third class to a term of one
    year; and at each subsequent annual election the successors to directors
    whose terms shall expire that year shall each be elected to a term of three
    years.  The directors emeritus, if any, shall be elected or appointed for
    such terms and shall have such duties not contrary to law as may from time
    to time be provided for in the by-laws.  No director need be a stockholder. 
    The election of directors need not be by ballot unless the by-laws shall so
    require.

        (c)  By-laws may be made, altered, amended or repealed by a vote of the
    stockholders or a vote of the majority of the directors then in office at
    any annual, regular, or special stockholders or directors meeting, called
    for that purpose, the notice of which shall specify the subject matter of
    the proposed new by-law or the alteration, amendment, or repeal of an
    existing by-law, or the articles to be affected thereby.  Any



                                       10

<PAGE>   13

    by-law whether made, altered, amended, or repealed by the stockholders or
    directors may be repealed, amended, further amended, or reinstated, as the
    case may be, by either the  stockholders or the directors as aforesaid.

        (d)  The board of directors may at any time set apart out of any of the
    funds of this corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for
    any proper purpose and may at any time reduce or abolish any such reserve. 
    Any other proper reserves may also be carried.

        (e)  This corporation may purchase, hold, sell and transfer shares of
    its own capital stock, but shall not use its funds or property for the
    purchase of its own shares of capital stock when such use would cause any
    impairment of the capital of this corporation, subject always to the right
    of this corporation to reduce its capital or to redeem any preferred or
    special shares out of capital as permitted by law.  Shares of its own
    capital stock belonging to this corporation shall not be voted upon
    directly or indirectly.

        (f)  The board of directors may from time to time authorize and
    maintain bonus, profit sharing or other types of incentive or compensation
    plans or pension or retirement plans for the employees (including officers
    and directors) of this corporation or of its subsidiaries, affiliates or
    any other corporation, association, trust or firm wherever organized,
    created or located in whose affairs or prosperity this corporation has any
    lawful interest and fix the amount of the profits to be distributed or
    shared and determine the persons to participate in any such plans and the
    amounts of their respective participation or benefits.


                                       11

<PAGE>   14

        (g)  The board of directors may from time to time determine whether and
    to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions and
    regulations the accounts and books and papers of this corporation, or any
    of them, shall be open to the inspection of the stockholders, and no
    stockholder shall have any right to inspect any account, book or document
    of this corporation, except as and to the extent expressly provided by law
    with reference to the right of stockholders to examine the original or
    duplicate stock ledger, or otherwise expressly provided by law, or except
    as expressly authorized by resolution of the board of directors.

        (h)  The directors of this corporation are likely to be connected with
    other corporations, partnerships, associations or firms with which from
    time to time this corporation may have business dealings.  No contract or
    other transaction between this corporation and any other corporation,
    partnership, association or firm and no act of this corporation shall be
    affected by the fact that directors of this corporation are pecuniarily or
    otherwise interested in, or are directors, members, or officers of such
    other corporation, partnership, association or firm.  Any director
    individually, or any firm of which such director may be a member, may be a
    party to or may be pecuniarily or otherwise interested in any contract or
    transaction of this corporation, provided that the fact that he or such
    firm is so interested shall be disclosed or shall have been known to the
    board of directors or a majority thereof. Every contract, act or
    transaction which at any annual meeting of the stockholders, or at any
    special meeting of the stockholders called for the purpose, among others,
    of considering such contract, act or transaction, shall be authorized,
    approved or ratified by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of
    the capital stock of this corporation present in person or represented by
    proxy at such meeting



                                       12

<PAGE>   15

    (provided that a quorum of stockholders be there present or represented by
    proxy) shall be as valid and binding upon this corporation and upon all its
    stockholders as though such a contract, act or transaction had been
    expressly authorized, approved and ratified by every stockholder of this
    corporation.

                (i)  No person shall be liable to this corporation for any loss
    or damage suffered by it on account of any action taken or omitted to be
    taken by him in good faith as a director, member of a directors' committee
    or officer of this corporation, if such person exercised or used the same
    degree of care and skill as a prudent man would have exercised or used
    under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.  Without
    limitation of the foregoing, any such person shall be deemed to have
    exercised or used such degree of care and skill if he took or omitted to
    take such action in reliance in good faith upon advice of counsel for this
    corporation, or the books of account or other records of this corporation,
    or reports or information made or furnished to this corporation by any
    official, accountant, engineer, agent, or employee of this corporation, or
    by any independent public accountant or auditor, counsel, engineer,
    appraiser or other expert retained or employed by this corporation and
    selected with reasonable care by the board of directors, by any such
    committee or by any authorized officer of this corporation.

        (j)  The Company shall indemnify any person who was or is party or is
    threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed
    action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
    investigative (and whether or not by or in the right of the corporation) by
    reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent
    of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a
    director, officer, employee or agent of another company,


                                       13

<PAGE>   16

    partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses
    (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
    settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such
    action, suit or proceeding, to the extent and under the circumstances
    permitted by the General Corporation Law of The State of Delaware as
    amended from time to time.  Such indemnification (unless ordered by a
    court) shall be made as authorized in a specific case upon a determination
    that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is
    proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standards of
    conduct set forth in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. 
    Such determination shall be made (1) by the Board of Directors by a
    majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to
    such action, suit or proceeding, or (2) if such quorum is not obtainable,
    or even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by
    independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders. 
    The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any
    other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under
    any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
    otherwise, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a
    director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the
    heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

        NINTH:  Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this
corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between this
corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable
jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary
way of this corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof, or on the
application of any receiver or receivers appointed for this corporation under
the provisions of section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the


                                       14
<PAGE>   17


application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers
appointed for this corporation under the provisions of section 279 of Title 8
of the Delaware Code order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors,
and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this corporation, as the
case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs.  If
a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or
class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this
corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to
any reorganization of this corporation as consequence of such compromise or
arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization
shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made,
be binding on all of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the
stockholders or class of stockholders of this corporation, as the case may be,
and also on this corporation.

        TENTH:  This corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or
repeal any provision contained in this certificate of incorporation, in the
manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon
stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

        ELEVENTH:  The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of
attendance at each meeting of the board of directors and may be paid a fixed
sum for attendance at each meeting of the board of directors or a stated salary
as director.  No such payment shall preclude any director from serving this
corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.  Members
of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for
attending committee meetings.




                                       15

<PAGE>   18



        This Restated Certificate of Incorporation restates and integrates the
corporation's Certificate of Incorporation as heretofore amended by
Certificates of Amendment as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware on May 7, 1968, January 21, 1969, March 8, 1971, February 21, 1978 and
October 8, 1980, and eliminates certain provisions that under the General
Corporation Law of Delaware are no longer required to be included in the
Certificate of Incorporation.  Except for such provisions so eliminated, this
Restated Certificate of Incorporation does not further amend the corporation's
Certificate of Incorporation as heretofore amended and no discrepancy exists
between those provisions and the provisions of this Restated Certificate of
Incorporation.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  CABOT CORPORATION has caused this Restated
Certificate of Incorporation to be duly executed this 14th day of October, 1983
by Robert A. Charpie, its President, and attested by Walter F. Greeley, its
Secretary.

                                                CABOT CORPORATION


                                                By: /S/ ROBERT A. CHARPIE
                                                   ----------------------------
ATTEST:                                            Robert A. Charpie, President


By /S/ WALTER F. GREELEY
   -----------------------------
   Walter F. Greeley, Secretary


                                       16


<PAGE>   19

                            CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY

        The undersigned, Waiter F. Greeley, hereby certifies that he is the
duly elected, Qualified and acting Secretary of CABOT CORPORATION, a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and
that the foregoing 16 numbered pages are a true, correct and complete copy of
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of said Corporation.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and impressed the
corporate seal of CABOT CORPORATION on this 14th day of October, 1983.




/S/ WALTER F. GREELEY
- --------------------------
                 Secretary                               [ Corporate Seal ]
 






                                       17


<PAGE>   20
                                                               Exhibit 3(a)

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                            ------------------------

                                       OF
                                       --

                     RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                     -------------------------------------


       CABOT CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under
and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware,

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

      FIRST: That the Board of Directors of said Corporation, by
unanimous written consent and agreement in lieu of a formal meeting,
dated as of November 21, 1984, adopted a vote setting forth the
proposed amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
said Corporation, declaring said amendment to be advisable and
recommending the adoption of said amendment by vote of the
stockholders of the Corporation at its Annual Meeting of
Stockholders called for February 8, 1985. The vote setting forth
the proposed amendment is as follows:

VOTED: That the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of this Corporation
be amended, subject to stockholder approval, as follows:

1. by renumbering the present Articles "TENTH" and "ELEVENTH" as
   "ELEVENTH" and "TWELFTH".

2. by adding the following language at the end of newly numbered Article
   ELEVENTH:

       "Notwithstanding any provision of law, this restated
       certificate of incorporation or the by-laws of this corporation
       (and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be
       specified by law, this restated certificate of incorporation or
       the by-laws of this corporation), and in addition to any
       affirmative vote of the holders of any class of preferred stock of
       this corporation outstanding or any other class of capital stock
       of this corporation or any series of any of the foregoing then
       outstanding which is required by law or by or pursuant to this

<PAGE>   21

      restated certificate of incorporation, the affirmative vote of the
      holders of 66-2/3 percent or more of the voting power of the
      shares of the then outstanding shares of stock of all classes and
      series of this corporation entitled to vote generally in the
      election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be
      required to alter, amend or repeal paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of
      Article EIGHTH or Article TENTH of this restated certificate of
      incorporation or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith."

3. by adding a new Article TENTH as follows:

      "TENTH: 1. Vote Required for Certain Business Combinations.

          In addition to any affirmative vote required by law or this
   restated certificate of incorporation, and except as otherwise
   expressly provided in section 2 of this Article TENTH:

             (a) Any merger or consolidation of this corporation or any
      subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) with (1) any interested
      stockholder (as hereinafter defined) or (2) any other corporation
      or other person (whether or not itself an interested stockholder)
      which is, or after such merger or consolidation would be, an
      affiliate (as hereinafter defined) of an interested stockholder; or

             (b) Any plan of exchange for all outstanding shares of this
      corporation or any subsidiary or for any class of shares of either
      with (1) any interested stockholder or (2) any other corporation
      or other person (whether or not itself an interested stockholder)
      which is, or after such plan of exchange would be, an affiliate of
      an interested stockholder; or

<PAGE>   22

          (c) Any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or
   other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions)
   to or with any interested stockholder or any affiliate of any
   interested stockholder of any assets of this corporation or any
   subsidiary having an aggregate fair market value (as hereinafter
   defined) of $20,000,000 or more; or

          (d) The issuance or transfer by this corporation or any
   subsidiary (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of any
   securities of this corporation or any subsidiary to any interested
   stockholder or any affiliate of any interested stockholder in
   exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination
   thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $20,000,000 or
   more; or

          (e) The adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation
   or dissolution of this corporation proposed by or on behalf of an
   interested stockholder or any affiliate of any interested
   stockholder; or

          (f) Any reclassification of securities (including any reverse
   stock split), or recapitalization of this corporation, or any
   merger or consolidation of this corporation with any of its
   subsidiaries or any other transaction (whether or not with or into
   or otherwise involving an interested stockholder) which has the
   effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate
   share of the outstanding shares of any class of stock or
   securities convertible into stock of this corporation or any
   subsidiary which is directly or indirectly owned by any interested
   stockholder or any affiliate of any interested stockholder;

shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3
percent of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of

<PAGE>   23

 stock of all classes and series of this corporation entitled to vote
 generally in the election of directors (the "voting stock"), in each
 case voting together as a single class. Such affirmative vote shall
 be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or
 that a lesser percentage may be specified, by law or by this restated
 certificate of incorporation or any vote or votes adopted pursuant to
 Article THIRD of this restated certificate of incorporation or in any
 agreement with any national securities exchange or otherwise.

        2. When Higher Vote is not Required. The provisions of this
 Article TENTH shall not be applicable to any particular business
 combination (as hereinafter defined), and such business combination
 shall require only such affirmative vote as is required by law, any
 other provision of this restated certificate of incorporation, any
 preferred stock designation or any agreement with any national
 securities exchange, if, all of the conditions specified in either of
 the following paragraphs (a) and (b) are met:

        (a) Approval by Continuing Directors. The business combination
 shall have been approved by a majority of the continuing directors (as
hereinafter defined), it being understood that this condition shall
not be capable of satisfaction unless there is at least one continuing
director; or

        (b) Price and Procedure Requirements. All of the following
 conditions shall have been met:

           (1) The aggregate amount of the cash and the fair market
    value as of the date of the consummation of the business
    combination of any consideration other than cash to be received
    per share by holders of common stock (as hereinafter defined) in
    such business combination shall be at least equal to the highest
    of the following:

<PAGE>   24

   (A) (if applicable) the highest per share price (including
   any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting
   dealers' fees) paid by the interested stockholder for any
   shares of common stock acquired by it (i) within the two-year
   period immediately prior to the first public announcement of
   the proposal of the business combination (the "announcement
   date") or (ii) in the transaction in which it became an
   interested stockholder, whichever is higher; or

   (B) the fair market value per share of common stock on the
   announcement date or on the date on which the interested
   stockholder became an interested stockholder (such latter date
   is referred to in this Article TENTH as the "determination
   date"), whichever is higher; or

   (C) (if applicable) the price per share equal to the fair
   market value per share of common stock determined pursuant to
   paragraph (b)(1)(B) above, multiplied by the ratio of (i) the
   highest per share price (including any brokerage commissions,
   transfer taxes and soliciting dealers' fees) paid by the
   interested stockholder for any shares of common stock acquired
   by it within the two-year period immediately prior to the
   announcement date to (ii) the fair market value per share of
   common stock on the first day in such two-year period upon
   which the interested stockholder acquired any shares of common
   stock; and

       (2) The consideration to be received by holders of a
particular class or series of outstanding voting stock (including
common stock) shall be in cash or in the same form as the
interested stockholder has previously paid for shares of such
class. If the interested stockholder has paid for shares of
voting stock with varying forms of consideration, the form of

<PAGE>   25

consideration to be received by holders of such class or series of
voting stock shall be either cash or the form used to acquire
beneficially the largest number of shares of such class or series
of voting stock previously acquired by it; and

       (3) After such interested stockholder has become an
interested stockholder and prior to the consummation of such
business combination:

              (A) except as approved by a majority of the continuing
directors, there shall have been no failure to declare and pay at
the regular date therefor any full quarterly dividends (whether or
not cumulative) on any outstanding preferred stock;

              (B) there shall have been (i) no reduction in the annual
rate of dividends paid on the common stock (except as necessary to
reflect any subdivision of the common stock), except as approved
by a majority of the continuing directors, and (ii) an increase in
such annual rate of dividends as necessary to reflect any
reclassification (including any reverse stock split),
recapitalization, reorganization or any similar transaction which
has the effect of reducing the number of outstanding shares of the
common stock, unless the failure so to increase such annual rate
is approved by a majority of the continuing directors; and

              (C) such interested stockholder shall not have become the
beneficial owner of any additional shares of voting stock except
as part of the transaction in which it became an interested
stockholder; and

       (4) After such interested stockholder has become an
interested stockholder, such interested stockholder shall not have
received the benefit, directly or indirectly (except
proportionately as a stockholder), of any loans, advances,

<PAGE>   26

guarantees, pledges or other financial assistance or any tax
credits or other tax advantages provided by the corporation,
whether in anticipation of or in connection with such business
combination or otherwise; and

       (5) A proxy or information statement describing the proposed
business combination and complying with the requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act") and the rules and
regulations thereunder (or any subsequent provisions replacing
such 1934 Act, rules or regulations) shall be mailed to public
stockholders of the corporation at least 30 days prior to the
consummation of such business combination (whether or not such
proxy or information statement is required to be mailed pursuant
to the 1934 Act or subsequent provisions).

3. Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this Article TENTH:

       (a) "affiliate" or "associate" has the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the 1934 Act, as in effect on February 8, 1985.

       (b) "board" means the board of directors of this corporation.

       (c) A person is a "beneficial owner" of any voting stock:

         (1) which such person or any of its affiliates or
       associates beneficially owns, directly or indirectly; or

         (2) which such person or any of its affiliates or
       associates has (A) the right to acquire (whether such right is
       exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time),
       pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding or
       upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights,
       warrants or options, or otherwise, or (B) the right to vote or
       direct the vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
       understanding; or

<PAGE>   27

        (3) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly,
   by any other person with which such person or any of its
   affiliates or associates has any agreement, arrangement or
   understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or
   disposing of any shares of voting stock.

       (d) The term "business combination" means any transaction
which is referred to in any one or more of paragraphs (a) through
(f) of Section 1.

       (e) "common stock" means the common capital stock of this
corporation.

       (f) "continuing director" means any member of the board who
is unaffiliated with and not a nominee of the interested
stockholder and was a member of the board prior to the time that
the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder, and
any successor of a continuing director who is unaffiliated with,
and not a nominee of the interested stockholder and who is
recommended to succeed a continuing director by a majority of
continuing directors then on the board.

        (g) "fair market value" means: (1) in the case of stock, the
 highest closing sale price during the 30-day period immediately
 preceding the date in question of a share of such stock on the
 Composite Tape for New York Stock Exchange-Listed Stocks, or, if
 such stock is not quoted on the Composite Tape, on the New York
 Stock Exchange, or, if such stock is not listed on such Exchange,
 on the principal United States securities exchange registered
 under the 1934 Act on which such stock is listed, or, if such
 stock is not listed on any such exchange, the highest closing
 price or bid quotation with respect to a share of such stock
 during the 30-day period preceding the date in question on the

<PAGE>   28

National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated
Quotations System or any system then in use, or if no such
quotations are available, the fair market value on the date in
question of a share of such stock as determined by a majority of
the continuing directors in good faith; and (2) in the case of
stock that is not traded on any United States registered
securities exchange nor in any over-the-counter market or in the
case of property other than cash or stock, the fair market value
of such property on the date in question as determined by a
majority of the continuing directors in good faith.

       (h) "interested stockholder" means any person (other than
this corporation or any subsidiary) who or which:

          (1) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of
   more than 10 percent of the combined voting power of the then
   outstanding voting stock; or

          (2) is an affiliate of the corporation and at any time
   within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in
   question was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of
   10 percent or more of the voting power of the then outstanding
   voting stock; or

          (3) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded to the
   beneficial ownership of any shares of voting stock which were
   at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to
   the date in question beneficially owned by any interested
   stockholder, if such assignment or succession shall have
   occurred in the course of a transaction or series of
   transactions not involving a public offering within the
   meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.

<PAGE>   29

          For the purpose of determining whether a person is an
   interested stockholder pursuant to this paragraph (h) of this
   Section 3, the number of shares of voting stock deemed to be
   outstanding shall include shares deemed owned through application
   of paragraph (c) of this section 3 but shall not include any other
   shares of voting stock which may be issuable pursuant to any
   agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of
   conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.

          (i) A "person" means any individual, firm, corporation, group
   (as such term is used in Rule 13d of the General Rules and
   Regulations under the 1934 Act as in effect on February 8, 1985)
   or other entity.

          (j) "subsidiary" means any corporation of which a majority of
   any class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by
   this corporation; provided, however, that for the purposes of the
   definition of interested stockholder set forth in paragraph (h) of
   this section 3, the term "subsidiary" means only a corporation of
   which a majority of each class of equity security is owned,
   directly or indirectly, by this corporation.

       4. Powers of the Board. A majority of the continuing directors
shall have the power and duty to determine for the purposes of this
Article TENTH, on the basis of information known to them after
reasonable inquiry, all facts necessary to determine compliance with
this Article TENTH, including without limitation, (a) whether a person
is an interested stockholder; (b) the number of shares of voting stock
beneficially owned by any person; (c) whether a person is an affiliate
or associate of another person; (d) whether the requirements of
section 2.(b) of this Article TENTH have been met with respect to any
proposed business combination, and (e) whether the assets which are
the subject of any business combination have, or the consideration to

<PAGE>   30

   be received for the issuance or transfer of securities by this
   corporation or any subsidiary in any business combination has, an
   aggregate fair market value of $20,000,000 or more. Any such
   determination made in good faith shall be binding and conclusive for
   all purposes of this Article TENTH.

          5. No Effect on Fiduciary Obligations of Interested
   Stockholders. Nothing contained in this Article TENTH shall be
   construed to relieve any interested stockholder from any fiduciary
   obligation imposed by law."

       SECOND: That thereafter, pursuant to vote of its Board of Directors,
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of said Corporation was duly called
and held, upon notice in accordance with Section 222 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, at which meeting the necessary
number of shares as required by statute were voted in favor of the
amendment.

       THIRD: That said amendments were duly adopted in accordance with the
applicable provision of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware.

      FOURTH: That the capital of said Corporation shall not be reduced
under or by reason of said amendment.

       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said CABOT CORPORATION has caused this
certificate to be signed by Robert A. Charpie, its President, and
attested by Henley R. Webb, its Assistant Secretary this 11th day of
February, 1985.

ATTEST:                                CABOT CORPORATION
                                      
/s/ Henley R. Webb                     By /s/ Robert A. Charpie
- ----------------------                    ----------------------
Assistant Secretary                       President
<PAGE>   31

                                                               EXHIBIT 3(a)

                  CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION, PREFERENCES AND
            RIGHTS OF SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK

                                       of

                               CABOT CORPORATION

             Pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation Law
                            of the State of Delaware

        We, Robert A. Charpie, President, and Walter F. Greeley, Secretary, of
Cabot Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, in accordance with the provisions
of Section 103 thereof, DO HEREBY CERTIFY:

        That pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Board of Directors by
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the said Corporation,
the said Board of Directors on November 14, 1986, adopted the following
resolution creating a series of 800,000 shares of Preferred Stock designated as
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock:

        VOTED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors
of this Corporation in accordance with the provisions of its Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, a series of Preferred Stock of the
Corporation be and it hereby is created, and that the designation and amount
thereof and the voting powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional and other special rights of the shares of such series, and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof are as follows:

        Section 1. DESIGNATION AND AMOUNT. The shares of such series shall be
designated as "Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock" and the number of
shares constituting such series shall be 800,000.

        Section 2. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.

        (A) Subject to the prior and superior rights of the holders of any
shares of any series of Preferred Stock ranking prior and superior to the
shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock with respect to
dividends, the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of
Directors out of
<PAGE>   32

funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash
on the eleventh day of January, March, June and September in each year (each
such date being referred to herein as a "Quarterly Dividend Payment Date"),
commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first
issuance of a share or fraction of a share of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock, in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to
the greater of (a) $25 or (b) subject to the provision for adjustment
hereinafter set forth, 100 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash
dividends, and 100 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind)
of all non-cash dividends or other distributions other than a dividend
payable in shares of Common Stock or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise), declared (but not withdrawn)
on the common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Corporation (the "Common
Stock") since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, or,
with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first
issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after November
14, 1986 (the "Rights Declaration Date") (i) declare any dividend on Common
Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common
Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of
shares, then in each such case the amount to which holders of shares of Series
A Junior Participating Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to
such event under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by
multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the
denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event.

        (B) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph (A)
above immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common
Stock (other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock); provided that,
in the event no dividend or distribution shall have been declared on the Common
Stock during the period between any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date and the
next subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, a dividend of $25 per share on
the Series A

                                       2
<PAGE>   33

Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall nevertheless be payable on such
subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.

        (C) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding
shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock from the Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares of Series
A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, unless the date of issue of such shares
is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in
which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from the date of
issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the determination of
holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitled
to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date, in either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be
cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid
dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of
such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be
allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time
outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination
of holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitled
to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record
date shall be no more than 30 days prior to the date fixed for the payment
thereof.

        Section 3. VOTING RIGHTS. The holders of shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:

        (A) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, each
share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder
thereof to 100 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of
the Corporation. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the
Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in
shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii)
combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in
each such case the number of votes per share to which

                                       3
<PAGE>   34

holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock were
entitled immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such
number by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is
the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to
such event.

        (B) Except as otherwise provided herein, by the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended, or by law, the holders of shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Common Stock
shall vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of
stockholders of the Corporation.

        (C) (i) If at any time dividends on any Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock shall be in arrears in an amount equal to six (6) quarterly
dividends thereon, the occurrence of such contingency shall mark the beginning
of a period (herein called a "default period") which shall extend until such
time when all accrued and unpaid dividends for all previous quarterly dividend
periods and for the current quarterly dividend period on all shares of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock then outstanding shall have been declared
and paid or set apart for payment. During each default period, all holders of
Preferred Stock (including holders of the Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock) with dividends in arrears in an amount equal to six (6)
quarterly dividends thereon, voting as a class, irrespective of series, shall
have the right to elect two (2) Directors.

        (ii) During any default period, such voting right of the holders of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock may be exercised initially at a
special meeting called pursuant to subparagraph (iii) of this Section 3(C) or
at any annual meeting of stockholders, and thereafter at annual meetings of
stockholders, provided that neither such voting right nor the right of the
holders of any other series of Preferred Stock, if any, to increase, in certain
cases, the authorized number of Directors shall be exercised unless the holders
of one-third in number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding shall be
present in person or by proxy. The absence of a quorum of the holders of Common
Stock shall not affect the exercise by the holders of Preferred Stock of such
voting right. At any meeting at which the holders of

                                       4
<PAGE>   35
Preferred Stock shall exercise such voting right initially during an existing
default period, they shall have the right, voting as a class, to elect
Directors to fill such vacancies, if any, in the Board of Directors as may then
exist up to two (2) Directors or, if such right is exercised at an annual
meeting, to elect two (2) Directors. If the number which may be so elected at
any special meeting does not amount to the required number, the holders of
the Preferred Stock shall have the right to make such increase in the number of
Directors as shall be necessary to permit the election by them of the required
number. After the holders of the Preferred Stock shall have exercised their
right to elect Directors in any default period and during the continuance of
such period, the number of Directors shall not be increased or decreased
except by vote of the holders of Preferred Stock as herein provided or pursuant
to the rights of any equity securities ranking senior to or PARI PASSU with
the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

        (iii) Unless the holders of Preferred Stock shall, during an existing
default period, have previously exercised their right to elect Directors, the
Board of Directors may order, or any stockholder or stockholders owning in the
aggregate not less than ten percent (10%) of the total number of shares of
Preferred Stock outstanding, irrespective of series, may request, the calling of
a special meeting of the holders of Preferred Stock, which meeting shall
thereupon be called by the President, a Vice-President or the Secretary of the
Corporation. Notice of such meeting and of any annual meeting at which holders
of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote pursuant to this paragraph (C) (iii)
shall be given to each holder of record of Preferred Stock by mailing a copy of
such notice to him at his last address as the same appears on the books of the
Corporation. Such meeting shall be called for a time not earlier than 20 days
and not later than 60 days after such order or request or in default of the
calling of such meeting within 60 days after such order or request, such meeting
may be called on similar notice by any stockholder or stockholders owning in the
aggregate not less than ten percent (10%) of the total number of shares of
Preferred Stock outstanding. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph
(C)(iii), no such special meeting shall be called during the period within 60
days immediately preceding the date fixed for the next annual meeting of the
stockholders.

                                       5
<PAGE>   36
        (iv) In any default period, the holders of Common Stock, and other
classes of stock of the Corporation if applicable, shall continue to be
entitled to elect the whole number of Directors until the holders of Preferred
Stock shall have exercised their right to elect two (2) Directors voting as a
class, after the exercise of which right (x) the Directors so elected by the
holders of Preferred Stock shall continue in office until their successors
shall have been elected by such holders or until the expiration of the default
period, and (y) any vacancy in the Board of Directors may (except as provided
in paragraph (C)(ii) of this Section 3) be filled by vote of a majority of the
remaining Directors theretofore elected by the holders of the class of stock
which elected the Director whose office shall have become vacant. References in
this paragraph (C) to Directors elected by the holders of a particular class of
stock shall include Directors elected by such Directors to fill vacancies as
provided in clause (y) of the foregoing sentence.

        (v) Immediately upon the expiration of a default period, (x) the right
of the holders of Preferred Stock as a class to elect Directors shall cease,
(y) the term of any Directors elected by the holders of Preferred Stock as a
class shall terminate, and (z) the number of Directors shall be such number as
may be provided for in the certificate of incorporation or by-laws irrespective
of any increase made pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (C)(ii) of this
Section 3 (such number being subject, however, to change thereafter in any
manner provided by law or in the certificate of incorporation or by-laws). Any
vacancies in the Board of Directors effected by the provisions of clauses (y)
and (z) in the preceding sentence may be filled by a majority of the remaining
Directors.

        (D) Except as set forth herein, holders of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and their
consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote
with holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate
action.

                                       6
<PAGE>   37
        Section 4. CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS.
                   --------------------

        (A) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions
payable on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided in
Section 2 are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends
and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full, the
Corporation shall not

                               (i) declare or pay dividends on, make any other 
              distributions on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for 
              consideration any shares of stock ranking junior (either as to 
              dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the 
              Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock;

                               (ii) declare or pay dividends on or make any 
              other distributions on any shares of stock ranking on a parity
              (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution  or
              winding up) with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred
              Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series A Junior
              Participating Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on which
              dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the
              total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then
              entitled;    
                                                                             
                               (iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire 
              for consideration shares of any stock ranking on a parity (either
              as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up)
              with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock,
              provided that the Corporation may at any time redeem, purchase
              or otherwise acquire shares of any such parity stock in
              exchange for shares of any stock of the Corporation ranking
              junior (either as to dividends or upon dissolution, liquidation
              or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred
              Stock;

                               (iv) purchase or otherwise acquire for 
              consideration any shares of Series A Junior Participating 
              Preferred Stock, or any

                                       7
<PAGE>   38
              shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Junior
              Participating Preferred Stock, except in accordance with a
              purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined
              by the Board of Directors) to all holders of such shares upon
              such terms as the Board of Directors, after consideration of
              the respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights
              and preferences of the respective series and classes, shall
              determine in good faith will result in fair and equitable
              treatment among the respective series or classes.

        (B) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the
Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of
stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under paragraph (A) of
this Section 4, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in
such manner.

        Section 5. REACQUIRED SHARES. Any shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the
Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and cancelled promptly
after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their cancellation
become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as
part of a new series of Preferred Stock to be created by resolution or
resolutions of the Board of Directors, subject to the conditions and
restrictions on issuance set forth herein.

        Section 6. LIQUIDATION, DISSOLUTION OR WINDING UP. (A) Upon any
liquidation (voluntary or otherwise), dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation, no distribution shall be made to the holders of shares of stock
ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock unless, prior
thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock shall have received $225 per share, plus an amount equal to accrued and
unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the
date of such payment (the "Series A Liquidation Preference"). Following the
payment of the full amount of the Series A Liquidation Preference, no
additional distributions shall be made to the holders of shares of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of
shares of Common Stock shall have received an

                                       8
<PAGE>   39
amount per share (the "Common Adjustment") equal to the quotient obtained by
dividing (i) the Series A Liquidation Preference by (ii) 100 (as appropriately
adjusted as set forth in subparagraph C below to reflect such events as stock
splits, stock dividends and recapitalizations with respect to the Common Stock)
(such number in clause (ii) immediately above being referred to as the
"Adjustment Number"). Following the payment of the full amount of the Series A
Liquidation Preference and the Common Adjustment in respect of all outstanding
shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and Common Stock,
respectively, holders of Series A Junior Participating  Preferred Stock and
holders of shares of Common Stock shall receive their ratable and proportionate
share of the remaining assets to be distributed in the ratio of the Adjustment
Number to one (1) with respect to such Preferred Stock and Common Stock, on a
per share basis, respectively.

        (B) In the event, however, that there are not sufficient assets
available to permit payment in full of the Series A Liquidation Preference and
the liquidation preferences of all other series of preferred stock, if any,
which rank on a parity with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock,
then such remaining assets shall be distributed ratably to the holders of such
parity shares in proportion to their respective liquidation preferences. In
the event, however, that there are not sufficient assets available to permit
payment in full of the Common Adjustment, then such remaining assets shall be
distributed ratably to the holders of Common Stock.

        (C) In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights
Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of
Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the
outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such
case the Adjustment Number in effect immediately prior to such event shall be
adjusted by multiplying such Adjustment Number by a fraction the numerator of
which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after
such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common
Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

                                       9
<PAGE>   40
        Section 7. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, ETC. In case the Corporation shall
enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which
the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or
securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case the shares
of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall at the same time be
similarly exchanged or changed in an amount per share (subject to the provision
for adjustment hereinafter set forth) equal to 100 times the aggregate amount
of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the
case may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is changed or
exchanged. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights
Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of
Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the
outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such
case the amount set forth in the preceding sentence with respect to the
exchange or change of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock
shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of
which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after
such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock
that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

        Section 8. REDEMPTION. The outstanding shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock may be redeemed at the option of the Board of
Directors as a whole, but not in part, at any time, or from time to time, at a
cash price per share equal to 105 percent of (i) the product of the Adjustment
Number times the Average Market Value (as such term is hereinafter defined)
of the Common Stock, plus (ii) all dividends which on the redemption date have
accrued on the shares to be redeemed and have not been paid, or declared and a
sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart, without interest. The
"Average Market Value" is the average of the closing sale prices of the Common
Stock during the 30 day period immediately preceding the date before the
redemption date on the Composite Tape for New York Stock Exchange Listed
Stocks, or, if such stock is not quoted on the Composite Tape, on the New York
Stock Exchange, or, if such stock is not listed on such Exchange, on the
principal United States securities exchange registered under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, on which such

                                       10
<PAGE>   41
stock is listed, or, if such stock is not listed on any such exchange, the
average of the closing sale prices with respect to a share of Common Stock
during such 30-day period, as quoted on the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System or any system then in use, or if no
such quotations are available, the fair market value of the Common Stock as
determined by the Board of Directors in good faith.

        Section 9. RANKING. The Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock
shall rank junior to all other series of the Corporation's Preferred Stock as
to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets, unless the terms of
any such series shall provide otherwise.

        Section 10. AMENDMENT. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended, of the Corporation shall not be further amended in any manner which
would materially alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of
the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock so as to affect them
adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority or more of
the outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, voting
separately as a class.

        Section 11. FRACTIONAL SHARES. Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock may be issued in fractions of a share which shall entitle the holder,
in proportion to such holders fractional shares, to exercise voting rights,
receive dividends, participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all
other rights of holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have executed and subscribed this Certificate
and do affirm the foregoing as true under the penalties of perjury this 2nd day
of December   , 1986.

                                     /s/ Robert A. Charpie
                                     ----------------------
                                     President

Attest:

/s/ Walter F. Greeley
- ----------------------
Secretary


                                       11
<PAGE>   42

                                                               Exhibit 3(a)

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                            ------------------------

                                       OF
                                       --

                     RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                     -------------------------------------

     CABOT CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under and by
virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

     FIRST: That the Board of Directors of said Corporation, at a meeting
duly held on November 14, 1986, adopted votes setting forth proposed
amendments to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of said
Corporation, declaring said amendments to be advisable and recommending
the adoption of said amendments by vote of the stockholders of the
Corporation at its Annual Meeting of Stockholders called for February 13,
1987. The votes setting forth the proposed amendments are as follows:

     VOTED: That it is advisable for this Corporation to amend its
Restated Certificate of Incorporation by the proposed amendments
described below and that this board recommends the adoption of such
proposed amendments by vote of the Corporation at its Annual Meeting of
Stockholders called for February 13, 1987:

a. To delete paragraph (i) of Article EIGHTH and insert in its place the
   new paragraph (i) of Article EIGHTH as follows:

   (i)(1) No director of this corporation shall be personally liable to
   the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach
   of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any
   breach of the director's duty of loyalty to this corporation or its
   stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
   involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii)
   under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the
   same exists or hereafter may be amended, or (iv) for any transaction
   from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the
   Delaware General Corporation Law is hereafter amended to authorize
   the further elimination or limitation of this liability of directors,
   then the liability of a director of the corporation, in addition to
   the limitation on personal liability provided herein, shall be
   limited to the fullest extent permitted by the amended Delaware
   General Corporation Law. Any repeal or modification of this Article
   by the stockholders of this corporation shall be prospective only,
   and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the personal
   liability of a director of this corporation for acts or omissions
   prior to such repeal or modification.

<PAGE>   43

       (2) No officer or employee of this corporation shall be liable to
   this corporation for any loss or damage suffered by it on account of
   any action taken or omitted to be taken by him in good faith as an
   officer or employee of this corporation, if such person exercised or
   used the same degree of care and skill as a prudent man would have
   exercised or used under the circumstances in the conduct of his own
   affairs.

       (3) For purposes of determining compliance with this paragraph
   (i) , any director, officer or employee of this corporation shall be
   deemed to have taken actions or omitted to take actions in good faith
   if the action taken or omitted to be taken by him or her was taken or
   omitted in reliance in good faith upon the advice of counsel for this
   corporation, or the books of account or other records of this
   corporation, or reports or information made or furnished to this
   corporation by any official, accountant, engineer, agent, or employee
   of this corporation, or by any independent public accountant or
   auditor, counsel, engineer, appraiser, investment banker or other
   expert retained or employed by this corporation, by the directors, by
   any committee of the board of directors of this corporation or by any
   authorized officer of this corporation.

b. To delete paragraph (j) of Article EIGHTH and insert in its place a
   new paragraph (j) of Article EIGHTH as follows:

   (j) The corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party
   or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
   completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
   administrative or investigative (and whether or not by or in the
   right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a
   director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was
   serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
   employee or agent of another company, partnership, joint venture,
   trust or other enterprise, or is or was serving as a fiduciary of any
   employee benefit plan, fund or program sponsored by the corporation
   or such other company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
   enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments,
   fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
   by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, to the
   extent and under the circumstances permitted by the General
   Corporation Law of The State of Delaware as amended from time to
   time. Such indemnification (unless ordered by a court) shall be made
   as authorized in a specific case upon a determination that
   indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper
   in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standards of
   conduct set forth in the General Corporation Law of the State of
   Delaware Such determination shall be made (1) by the board of
   directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who
   were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (2) if such
   quorum is not obtainable, or even if obtainable a quorum of
   disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a
   written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders. The foregoing right of
   indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to
   which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any by-law,
   agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
   otherwise, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a
   director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit
   of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

<PAGE>   44

      VOTED That it is advisable for this Corporation to amend its
Restated Certificate of Incorporation by the proposed amendments
described below and that this board recommends the adoption of such
proposed amendments by vote of the Corporation at its Annual Meeting of
Stockholders called for February 13, 1987:

a. To delete paragraph (c) of Article EIGHTH and insert in its place the
   new paragraph (c) of Article EIGHTH as follows:

   (c) By-laws may be made, altered, amended or repealed by (i) the
   affirmative vote of the holders of at least seventy-five percent
   (75%) of the voting power of the shares of the then outstanding
   shares of stock of all classes and series of this corporation
   entitled to vote generally in the election of directors voting
   together as a single class or (ii) a vote of the majority of the
   directors then in office at any annual, regular, or special
   stockholders or directors meeting, called for that purpose, the
   notice of which shall specify the subject matter of the proposed new
   by-law or the alteration, amendment, or repeal of an existing by-law,
   or the articles to be affected thereby. Any by-law whether made,
   altered, amended, or repealed by the stockholders or directors may be
   repealed, amended, further amended, or reinstated, as the case may
   be, by either the stockholders or the directors as aforesaid.

b. To add a new paragraph (k) to Article EIGHTH of the Restated
   Certificate of Incorporation as follows:

   (k) Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders
   of the corporation must be taken at a duly called annual or special
   meeting of the stockholders of the corporation and may not be taken
   by any consent in writing by such stockholders.

c. To delete the last paragraph of Article ELEVENTH commencing with the
   word "Notwithstanding" and insert the following in its place:

   Notwithstanding any provision of law, this restated certificate of
   incorporation or the by-laws of this corporation (and notwithstanding
   the fact that a lesser percentage may be specified by law, this
   restated certificate of incorporation or the by-laws of this
   corporation), and in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders
   of any class of preferred stock of this corporation outstanding or
   any other class of capital stock of this corporation or any series of
   any of the foregoing then outstanding which is required by law or by
   or pursuant to this restated certificate of incorporation, the
   affirmative vote of the holders of seventy--five percent (75%) or more
   of the voting power of the shares of the then outstanding shares of
   stock of all classes and series of this corporation entitled to vote
   generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single
   class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal paragraph (a),
   (b), (c) or (k) of Article EIGHTH, Article TENTH or this Article
   ELEVENTH of this restated certificate of incorporation or to adopt
   any provision inconsistent therewith.

<PAGE>   45

     SECOND: That thereafter, pursuant to vote of its Board of Directors,
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of said Corporation was duly called
and held, upon notice in accordance with Section 222 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, at which meeting the necessary
number of shares as required by statute were voted in favor of the
amendments.

     THIRD: That said amendments were duly adopted in accordance with the
applicable provision of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware.

     FOURTH: That the capital of said Corporation shall not be reduced
under or by reason of said amendment.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said CABOT CORPORATION has caused this
certificate to be signed by Robert A. Charpie, its Chairman, and attested
by Charles D. Gerlinger, its Assistant Secretary this 13th day of
February, 1987.

ATTEST:                                         CABOT CORPORATION


/s/ Charles D. Gerlinger                     By /s/ Robert A. Charpie
- ------------------------                        ----------------------
Assistant Secretary                             Chairman
<PAGE>   46

                                                            EXHIBIT 3(a)
                CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS

         SERIES B ESOP CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

                           of

                     CABOT CORPORATION

          Pursuant to Section 151 of the General
         Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
         ----------------------------------------


          I, Samuel W. Bodman, Chairman of the Board of the
Cabot Corporation ("Company"), a corporation organized and
existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, in accordance with the provisions of Section 151
thereof, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that, pursuant to the authority
conferred upon the Board of Directors by the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, the
Board of Directors authorized the series of Preferred Stock
hereinafter provided for and established the voting powers
thereof and authorized an Executive Committee of the Board of
Directors to adopt, and said Committee has adopted, the
following resolution creating a series of 200,000 shares of
Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value, designated as Series B ESOP
Convertible Preferred Stock:

          VOTED: That, pursuant to the authority vested in
the Board of Directors of the Company in accordance with the
provisions of its Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended, and pursuant to the authority vested in the


<PAGE>   47

Executive Committee by the Board of Directors a series of
Preferred Stock of the Company be, and it hereby is, created,
and that the designation and amount thereof and the voting
powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or
other special rights of the shares of such series, and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, are as
follows:

                Section 1. Designation and Amount; Special Purpose
                -------    ---------------------------------------
Restricted Transfer Issue.
- -------------------------

          (A) The shares of this series of Preferred Stock
shall be designated as Series B ESOP Convertible Preferred
Stock ("Series B Preferred Stock") and the number of shares
constituting such series shall be 200,000.

          (B) Shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be
 issued only to a trustee or trustees (or to any successor
 trustee or trustees) acting on behalf of one or more employee
 stock ownership plans or other employee benefit plans of the
 Company (the "Trustee"). Certificates representing shares of
 Series B Preferred Stock shall be legended to reflect any
 restrictions on transfer imposed on such shares at the time
 of issuance. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of
 this paragraph (B) of Section 1, shares of Series B Preferred
 Stock (i) may be converted into shares of Common Stock as
 provided by Section 5 hereof and the shares of Common Stock
 issued upon such conversion may be transferred by the holder


                              -2-

<PAGE>   48

thereof as permitted by law and (ii) shall be redeemable by
the Company or by the holder upon the terms and conditions
provided by Sections 6, 7 and 8 hereof.

             Section 2.   Dividends and Distributions.
             -------      ---------------------------

             (A) Subject to the provisions for adjustment
hereinafter set forth, the holders of shares of Series B
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if
declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally
available therefor, cash dividends ("Preferred Dividends") in
an amount per share equal to $ 77.50 per share per annum, and
no more, payable quarterly, in arrears, one-quarter on the
last business day of each calendar quarter (each a "Dividend
Payment Date") commencing on December 30, 1988, to holders of
record at the start of business on such Dividend Payment
Date. Preferred Dividends shall begin to accrue on
outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock from the date
of issuance of such shares of Series B Preferred Stock.
Preferred Dividends shall accrue on a daily basis whether or
not declared and whether or not the Company shall have
earnings or surplus out of which such dividends could be paid
at the time, and Preferred Dividends accrued on the shares of
Series B Preferred Stock for any period less than a full
quarterly period between Dividend Payment Dates shall be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of 30-day months.
Accumulated but unpaid Preferred Dividends shall cumulate as

                           -3-

<PAGE>   49

of the Dividend Payment Date on which they first became
payable, but no interest shall accrue on accumulated but
unpaid Preferred Dividends.

          (B) So long as any Series B Preferred Stock shall
be outstanding, no dividend shall be declared or paid or set
apart for payment on any other series of stock ranking on a
parity with the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividends,
unless there shall also be or have been declared and paid or
set apart for payment on the Series B Preferred Stock like
dividends for all dividend payment periods of the Series B
Preferred Stock ending on or before the dividend payment date
of such parity stock, ratably in proportion to the respective
amounts of dividends accumulated and unpaid through such
dividend payment period on the Series B Preferred Stock and
accumulated and unpaid or payable on such parity stock
through the dividend payment period on such parity stock
ending on such dividend payment date. In the event that full
cumulative dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock have not
been declared and paid or set apart for payment when due, the
Company shall not declare or pay or set apart for payment any
dividends or make any other distributions on, or make any
payment on account of the purchase, redemption or other
retirement of, any other class of stock or series thereof of
the Company ranking, as to dividends or as to distributions
in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of

                            -4-

<PAGE>   50

the Company, junior to the Series B Preferred Stock until
full cumulative dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock
shall have been declared and paid or declared and set aside
for payment; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the foregoing shall not
apply to (i) any dividend payable solely in any shares of any
stock ranking, as to dividends or as to distributions in the
event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the
Company, junior to the Series B Preferred Stock, (ii) the
purchase of shares of any stock ranking, as to dividends or
as to distributions in the event of a liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of the Company, junior to the
Series B Preferred Stock either (A) pursuant to any employee
or director incentive or benefit plan or arrangement
(including any employment, severance or consulting agreement)
of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company heretofore or
hereafter adopted or (B) in exchange solely for shares of any
other stock ranking, as to dividends or as to distributions
in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the Company, junior to the Series B Preferred Stock, or (iii)
any payment made in respect of the purchase or redemption of
the Rights, as defined in paragraph (F) of Section 5 hereof,
or any rights similar thereto.

               SECTION 3.    VOTING RIGHTS. The holders of
 shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall have the following
 voting rights:

                               -5-

<PAGE>   51

          (A) The holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall
be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the
holders of Common Stock of the Company, voting together with
the holders of Common Stock (and holders of any other class
or series of stock which may similarly be entitled to vote
with the shares of Common Stock) as one class. Each share of
the Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to the number
of votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into
which such share of Series B Preferred Stock could be
converted on the record date for determining the stockholders
entitled to vote, rounded down to the nearest vote; it being
understood that whenever the "Conversion Price" (as defined
in Section 5 hereof) is adjusted as provided in Section 9
hereof, the voting rights of the Series B Preferred Stock
shall also be similarly adjusted.

          (B) Except as otherwise required by law or set
 forth herein, holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall have
 no special voting rights and their consent shall not be
 required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote with
 holders of Common Stock and holders of any other class or
 series of stock which may similarly be entitled to vote with
 the shares of Common Stock) for the taking of any corporate
 action. Any increase or decrease in the authorized class of
 Preferred Stock (but not below the number of shares thereof
 then outstanding) shall not be deemed to alter or change the

                            -6-

<PAGE>   52

powers, preferences, or special rights of the shares of Series
B Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely within the
meaning of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware.

          Section 4.     Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.
                         ---------------------------------------

          (A) Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of Series
B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive out of the
assets of the Company which remain after satisfaction in full
of all valid claims of creditors of the Company and which are
available for payment to stockholders and subject to the rights
of the holders of any stock of the Company ranking senior to or
on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock in respect of
distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the Company, before any amount shall be paid or distributed
among the holders of Common Stock or any other shares ranking
junior to the Series B Preferred Stock in respect of
distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the Company, liquidating distributions in the amount of $1,000
per share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid
dividends (including dividends declared and set aside) and
accrued dividends thereon to the date fixed for distribution,
and no more. If upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the Company, the amounts payable with respect to the

                           -7-

<PAGE>   53

Series B Preferred Stock and any other stock ranking as to
any such distribution on a parity with the Series B Preferred
Stock are not paid in full, the holders of the Series B
Preferred Stock and such other stock shall share ratably in
any distribution of assets in proportion to the full
respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled.
After payment of the full amount to which they are entitled
as provided by the foregoing provisions of this paragraph
4(A), the holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall
not be entitled to any further right or claim to any of the
remaining assets of the Company.

          (B) Neither the merger or consolidation of the
Company with or into any other corporation or other entity,
nor the merger or consolidation of any other corporation or
other entity with or into the Company, nor the sale, transfer
or lease of all or any portion of the assets of the Company,
shall be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the Company for purposes of this Section 4, but the
holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall nevertheless be
entitled in the event of any such merger or consolidation to
the rights provided by Section 8 hereof.

          (C) Written notice of any voluntary or involuntary
 liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company,
 stating the payment date or dates when, and the place or
 places where, the amounts distributable to holders of Series

                             -8-

<PAGE>   54

B Preferred Stock in such circumstances shall be payable,
shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed
not less than twenty (20) days prior to any payment date
stated therein, to the holders of Series B Preferred Stock,
at the address shown on the books of the Company or any
transfer agent for the Series B Preferred Stock.

          Section 5.    Conversion into Common Stock.
          -------       ----------------------------

          (A) A holder of shares of Series B Preferred Stock
shall be entitled, at any time prior to the close of business
on the date fixed for redemption of such shares pursuant to
Section 6, 7 or 8 hereof, to cause any or all of such shares
to be converted into shares of Common Stock, initially at a
conversion rate equal to the ratio of $1,000 to the amount
which initially shall be $ 45.73 and which shall be adjusted
as hereinafter provided (such amount, as so adjusted, is
hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Conversion Price")
(that is, a conversion rate initially equivalent to 21.8675
shares of Common Stock for each share of Series B Preferred
Stock so converted but that is subject to adjustment as the
Conversion Price is adjusted as hereinafter provided).

          (B) Any holder of shares of Series B Preferred
 Stock desiring to convert such shares into shares of Common
 Stock shall surrender the certificate or certificates
 representing the shares of Series B Preferred Stock being

                             -9-

<PAGE>   55

converted, duly assigned or endorsed for transfer to the
Company (or accompanied by duly executed stock powers
relating thereto), at the principal executive office of the
Company or the offices of the transfer agent for the Series B
Preferred Stock or such office or offices in the continental
United States of an agent for conversion as may from time to
time be designated by notice to the holders of the Series B
Preferred Stock by the Company or the transfer agent for the
Series B Preferred Stock, accompanied by written notice of
conversion, on any day which is a business day in the city of
Boston, Massachusetts. Such notice of conversion shall
specify (i) the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock
to be converted and the name or names in which such holder
wishes the certificate or certificates for Common Stock to be
issued and for any shares of Series B Preferred Stock not to
be so converted to be issued (subject to compliance with
applicable legal requirements if any of said certificates are
to be issued in a name other than the name of the holder),
and (ii) the address to which such holder wishes delivery to
be made of such new certificates to be issued upon such
conversion.

           (C) Upon surrender of a certificate representing a
share or shares of Series B Preferred Stock for conversion,
the Company shall, as promptly as practicable after such
surrender, issue and send by hand delivery (with receipt to

                              -10-

<PAGE>   56

be acknowledged) or by first class mail, postage prepaid, to
the holder thereof or to such holder's designee, at the
address designated by such holder, a certificate or
certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock to
which such holder shall be entitled upon conversion. In the
event that there shall have been surrendered a certificate or
certificates representing shares of Series B Preferred Stock,
only part of which are to be converted, the Company shall
issue and deliver to such holder or such holder's designee a
new certificate or certificates representing the number of
shares of Series B Preferred Stock which shall not have been
converted.

          (D) A conversion of shares of Series B Preferred
Stock into shares of Common Stock made at the option of the
holder thereof shall be effective as of the close of business
on the day on which the Company receives written notice of
conversion pursuant to paragraph (B) of this Section 5. On
and after the effective day of conversion, the shares of
Series B Preferred so converted shall no longer be deemed to
be outstanding for any purpose, and the person or persons
entitled to receive the Common Stock issuable upon such
conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record
holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock, but no
allowance or adjustment shall be made in respect of dividends
payable to holders of Common Stock of record on any date

                            -11-

<PAGE>   57

prior to such effective date. The Company shall not be obligated
to pay any dividends which shall have been declared and shall be
payable to holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock on a
Dividend Payment Date if such Dividend Payment Date for such
dividend shall be on or subsequent to the effective date of
conversion of such shares, unless such declared dividends have
been set aside for payment prior to the effective date of
conversion of such shares, which dividends shall be paid on the
effective date of conversion.

          (E) The Company shall not be obligated to deliver to
holders of Series B Preferred Stock any fractional shares of
Common Stock issuable upon any conversion of such shares of
Series B Preferred Stock, but in lieu thereof may make a cash
payment in respect thereof in any manner permitted by law. Such
cash payment shall be in an amount equal to such fraction
multiplied by the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock
(as defined in Section 9 hereof) at the close of business on the
day of conversion.

          (F) Prior to the Distribution Date (as defined in Section
 3(a) of the Rights Agreement (defined below), if the Company
 shall issue shares of Common Stock upon conversion of shares of
 Series B Preferred Stock as contemplated by this Section 5, the
 Company shall issue together with each such share of Common Stock
 one right (a "Right", and collectively the "Rights") to purchase
 Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company (or

                              -12 -

<PAGE>   58

other securities in lieu thereof) pursuant to the Rights
Agreement dated as of November 14, 1986, and amended and
restated as of August 12, 1988, between the Company and The
First National Bank of Boston, as Rights Agent, as such
agreement may from time to time be amended (the "Rights
Agreement"), or any rights issued to holders of Common Stock
of the Company in addition thereto or in replacement
therefor.

          (G) The Company shall at all times reserve and
keep available out of its authorized and unissued Common
Stock, solely for issuance upon the conversion of shares of
Series B Preferred Stock as herein provided, free from any
preemptive rights, such number of shares of Common Stock as
shall from time to time be issuable upon the conversion of
all the shares of Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be entitled
to deliver upon conversion of shares of Series B Preferred
Stock, as herein provided, shares of Common Stock reacquired
and held in the treasury of the Company (in lieu of the
issuance of authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock),
so long as any such treasury shares are free and clear of all
liens, charges, security interests or encumbrances. The
Company shall prepare and shall use its best efforts to
obtain and keep in force such governmental or regulatory
permits or other authorizations as may be required by law,


                          -13-

<PAGE>   59

and shall comply with all requirements as to registration or
qualification of the Common Stock (and all requirements to
list the Common Stock which are at the time applicable) as
shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the
conversion of all shares of Series B Preferred Stock then
outstanding and convertible into shares of Common Stock.

         Section 6.    Redemption At the Option of the Company.
         -------       ---------------------------------------

         (A) The Series B Preferred Stock shall be redeemable, 
in whole or in part, at the option of the Company at any time 
after November 18, 1991, or on or before November 18, 1991 if 
permitted by paragraph (C) or (D) of this Section 6, at the 
following redemption prices per share (or, if pursuant to 
paragraph (C) of this Section 6, at the redemption price set 
forth therein):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           DURING THE TWELVE-
           MONTH PERIOD                 PRICE PER
           BEGINNING NOVEMBER 19        SHARE
           ---------------------        ---------

                <S>                     <C>
                1988 ..........         $1077.50
                1989 ..........         $1069.75
                1990 ..........         $1062.00
                1991 ..........         $1054.25
                1992 ..........         $1046.50
                1993 ..........         $1038.75
                1994 ..........         $1031.00
                1995 ..........         $1023.25
                1996 ..........         $1015.50
                1997 ..........         $1007.75
</TABLE>        

 and thereafter at $1,000 per share, plus, in each case, an
 amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid dividends and
 accrued dividends thereon to the date fixed for redemption.

                               -14-

<PAGE>   60

Payment of the redemption price shall be made by the Company in
cash or shares of Common Stock, or a combination thereof, as
permitted by paragraph (E) of this Section 6. From and after
the close of business on the date fixed for redemption,
dividends on shares of Series B Preferred Stock called for
redemption will cease to accrue, such shares will no longer be
deemed to be outstanding and all rights in respect of such
shares of the Company shall cease, except the right to receive
the redemption price, provided that shares of Series B Preferred
Stock may be converted pursuant to Section 5 hereof at any time
prior to the close of business on the date fixed for redemption
of such shares pursuant to Sections 6, 7 or 8 hereof. If less
than all of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock
are to be redeemed, the Company shall either redeem a portion of
the shares of each holder determined pro rata based on the
number of shares held by each holder or shall select the shares
to be redeemed by lot or by any other manner deemed equitable,
as may be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company.

          (B) Unless otherwise required by law, notice of
redemption with respect to a redemption under this Section 6
(but not Section 7 or 8) will be sent to the holders of Series B
Preferred Stock at the address shown on the books of the Company
or any transfer agent for the Series B Preferred Stock by first
class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than twenty (20)
days nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the redemption date.

                              -15-

<PAGE>   61

Each such notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii)
the total number of shares of the Series B Preferred Stock
to be redeemed and, if fewer than all the shares held by
such holder are to be redeemed, the number of such shares to
be redeemed from such holder; (iii) the redemption price;
(iv) the place or places where certificates for such shares
are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price;
(v) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease
to accrue on such redemption date; and (vi) the conversion
rights of the shares to be redeemed, the period within which
conversion rights may be exercised, and the Conversion Price
and number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of a share of Series B Preferred Stock at the
time. Upon surrender of the certificates for any shares
called for redemption pursuant to the provisions of this
Section 6 or the provisions of Sections 7 or 8 hereof, which
shares have not previously been converted (properly endorsed
or assigned for transfer, if the Board of Directors of the
Company shall so require and the notice shall so state),
such shares shall be redeemed by the Company at the date
fixed for redemption and at the applicable redemption price
set forth in this Section 6 or in Sections 7 or 8 hereof.

          (C) In the event (i) of a change in the federal tax
law of the United States of America which has the effect of
precluding the Company from claiming any of the tax deductions

                             -16-

<PAGE>   62

for dividends paid on the Series B Preferred Stock when such
dividends are used as provided under Section 404(k)(2) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect on the
date shares of Series B Preferred Stock are initially issued,
(ii) that shares of Series B Preferred Stock are held by an
employee benefit plan intended to qualify as an employee stock
ownership plan within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and such plan does not so
qualify, or (iii) that the Company, in good faith after
consultation with counsel to the Company, determines that the
voting provisions contained herein are not in compliance with
Rule 19c-4 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the
Company may, in its sole discretion and notwithstanding anything
to the contrary in paragraph (A) of this Section 6, elect to
redeem such shares at a redemption price equal to the amount
payable in respect of the shares upon liquidation of the Company
pursuant to Section 4 hereof (including the amount equal to all
accumulated and unpaid dividends and accrued dividends thereon to
the date fixed for redemption, as provided by Section 4 hereof).

          (D) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
paragraph (A) of this Section 6, the Company may, in its sole
discretion, elect to redeem any or all of the shares of

                             -17-

<PAGE>   63

Series B Preferred Stock at any time on or prior to November
18, 1991 on the terms and conditions set forth in paragraphs
(A) and (B) of this Section 6, if the last reported sales
price, regular way, of a share of Common Stock, as reported
on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape or, if the
Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the New
York Stock Exchange, on the principal national securities
exchange on which such stock is listed or admitted to trading
or, if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading
on any national securities exchange, on the National Market
System of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ") or, if the Common
Stock is not quoted on such National Market System, the
average of the closing bid and asked prices in over-the-
counter market as reported by NASDAQ, for at least twenty
(20) trading days within a period of thirty (30) consecutive
trading days ending within five (5) days of the notice of
redemption, equals or exceeds one hundred forty percent
(140%) of the Conversion Price (giving effect equitably in
making such calculation to any adjustments required by
Section 9 hereof).

            (E) The Company, at its option, may make payment
of the redemption price required upon redemption of shares of
Series B Preferred Stock in cash or in shares of Common Stock
(or fractional shares thereof), or in a combination of such

                             -18-

<PAGE>   64

shares and cash, any such shares to be valued for such
purpose at their Fair Market Value (as defined in paragraph G
of Section 9 hereof, provided, however, that in calculating
their Fair Market Value the Adjustment Period shall be deemed
to be the five (5) consecutive trading days preceding, and
including, the date of redemption), except that any payment
required to be made under paragraph (C) of Section 8 shall be
made in cash.

          Section 7.    Other Redemption Rights.
          -------       -----------------------

          (A) Shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be
redeemed by the Company for cash or, if the Company so
elects, in shares of Common Stock (or fractional shares
thereof), or a combination of such shares and cash, any such
shares of Common Stock to be valued for such purpose at their
Fair Market Value (as defined in paragraph (G) of Section 9
hereof, provided, however, that in calculating their Fair
Market Value the Adjustment Period shall be deemed to be the
five (5) consecutive trading days preceding, and including,
the date of redemption), at the redemption prices per share
set forth in paragraph (B) of this Section 7, at the option
of the holder, at any time and from time to time upon notice
to the Company given not less than five (5) business days
prior to the date fixed by the holder in such notice for such
redemption, when and to the extent necessary (i) for such
holder to provide for distributions required to be made

                         -19-

<PAGE>   65

under, or to satisfy an investment election provided to
participants in accordance with, the Cabot Corporation Employee
Stock Ownership Plan and Trust Agreement, dated as of November
16, 1988, as the same may be amended or any successor plan (the
"Plan"), or (ii) for such holder to make payment of principal,
interest or premium due and payable (whether as scheduled or
upon acceleration) (a) on the $75,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of ESOP Notes Due December 31, 2013 of the trust under
the Plan (but only if to remedy or prevent a default under such
ESOP Notes or related loan documentation, in each case as
amended), or (b) on any other indebtedness incurred by the
holder for the benefit of the Plan (but only if to remedy or
prevent a default thereunder).

          (B) For the purposes of clause (i) of paragraph (A)
of this Section 7, the redemption price of a share of Series B
Preferred Stock shall be an amount equal to the Fair Market
Value (as defined in paragraph G of Section 9 hereof) of such
share of Series B Preferred Stock. For the purposes of clause
(ii) of paragraph (A) of this Section 7, the redemption price
of a share of Series B Preferred Stock shall be equal to the
amount payable in respect of such share upon liquidation of the
Company pursuant to Section 4 hereof (including the amount
equal to all accumulated and unpaid dividends and accrued
dividends thereon to the date fixed for redemption as provided
by Section 4 hereof).

                              -20-

<PAGE>   66

        Section 8.   Consolidation, Merger, etc.
        -------      --------------------------

        (A) In the event that the Company shall consummate
any consolidation or merger or similar transaction, however
named, pursuant to which the outstanding shares of Common
Stock are by operation of law exchanged solely for or
changed, reclassified or converted solely into stock of any
successor or resulting company (including the Company) that
constitutes "qualifying employer securities" with respect to
a holder of Series B Preferred Stock within the meaning of
Section 409(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and Section 407(c)(5) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or any successor
provisions of law, and, if applicable, for a cash payment in
lieu of fractional shares, if any, the shares of Series B
Preferred Stock of such holder shall be assumed by and shall
become preferred stock of such successor or resulting
company, having in respect of such company insofar as
possible the same powers, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights (including
the redemption rights provided by Sections 6, 7 and 8
hereof), and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions
thereon, that the Series B Preferred Stock had immediately
prior to such transaction, except that after such transaction
each share of the Series B Preferred Stock shall be
convertible, otherwise on the terms and conditions provided

                           -21-

<PAGE>   67

by Section 5 hereof, into the qualifying employer securities
so receivable by a holder of the number of shares of Common
Stock into which such shares of Series B Preferred Stock
could have been converted immediately prior to such
transaction if such holder of Common Stock failed to exercise
any rights of election to receive any kind or amount of
stock, securities, cash or other property (other than such
qualifying employer securities and a cash payment, if
applicable, in lieu of fractional shares) receivable upon
such transaction (provided that, if the kind or amount of
qualifying employer securities receivable upon such
transaction is not the same for each non-electing share, then
the kind and amount of qualifying employer securities
receivable upon such transaction for each non-electing share
shall be the kind and amount so receivable per share by a
plurality of the non-electing shares). The rights of the
Series B Preferred Stock as preferred stock of such successor
or resulting company shall successively be subject to
adjustments pursuant to Section 9 hereof after any such
transaction as nearly equivalent as practicable to the
adjustments provided for by such section prior to such
transaction. The Company shall not consummate any such
merger, consolidation or similar transaction unless all then
outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred Stock shall be

                            -22-

<PAGE>   68

assumed and authorized by the successor or resulting company
as aforesaid.

         (B) In the event that the Company shall consummate
any consolidation or merger or similar transaction, however
named, pursuant to which the outstanding shares of Common
Stock are by operation of law exchanged for or changed,
reclassified or converted into other stock or securities or
cash or any other property, or any combination thereof, other
than any such consideration which is constituted solely of
qualifying employer securities (as referred to in paragraph
(A) of this Section 8) and cash payments, if applicable, in
lieu of fractional shares, each outstanding share of Series B
Preferred Stock shall, without any action on the part of the
Company or any holder thereof (but subject to paragraph (C)
of this Section 8), be deemed converted by virtue of such
merger, consolidation or similar transaction immediately
prior to such consummation into the number of shares of
Common Stock into which such share of Series B Preferred
Stock could have been converted at such time and each share
of Series B Preferred Stock shall, by virtue of such
transaction and on the same terms as apply to the holders of
Common Stock, be converted into or exchanged for the
aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash or other property
(payable in like kind) receivable by a holder of the number
of shares of Common Stock into which such share of Series B


                           -23-

<PAGE>   69

Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior
to such transaction if such holder of Common Stock failed to
exercise any rights of election as to the kind or amount of
stock, securities, cash or other property receivable upon
such transaction (provided that, if the kind or amount of
stock, securities, cash or other property receivable upon
such transaction is not the same for each non-electing share,
then the kind and amount of stock, securities, cash or other
property receivable upon such transaction for each non-
electing share shall be the kind and amount so receivable per
share by a plurality of the non-electing shares).

          (C) In the event the Company shall enter into any
agreement providing for any consolidation or merger or
similar transaction described in paragraph (B) of this
Section 8, then the Company shall as soon as practicable
thereafter (and in any event at least ten (10) business days
before consummation of such transaction) give notice of such
agreement and the material terms thereof to each holder of
Series B Preferred Stock and each such holder shall have the
right to elect, by written notice to the Company, to receive,
upon consummation of such transaction (if and when such
transaction is consummated), from the Company or the
successor of the Company, in lieu of what would otherwise be
the result under paragraph (B) of this Section 8 (and in
redemption and retirement of such share of Series B Preferred

                             -24-

<PAGE>   70

Stock, but without any premium), a cash payment equal to the
amount payable in respect of such share of Series B Preferred
Stock upon liquidation of the Company pursuant to Section 4
hereof, (including an amount equal to all accumulated and
unpaid dividends and accrued dividends thereon to the date
fixed for redemption as provided by Section 4 hereof). No
such notice of redemption shall be effective unless given to
the Company prior to the close of business on the fifth
business day prior to consummation of such transaction,
unless the Company or the successor of the Company shall
waive such prior notice, but any notice of redemption so
given prior to such time may be withdrawn by notice of
withdrawal given to the Company prior to the close of
business on the fifth business day prior to consummation of
such transaction.

          Section 9.    Anti-dilution Adjustments.
          -------       -------------------------

          (A) In the event the Company shall, at any time or
 from time to time while any of the shares of Series B
 Preferred Stock are outstanding, (i) pay a dividend or make a
 distribution in respect of the Common Stock, to the extent
 that such dividend or distribution consists of shares of
 Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding shares of Common
 Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding shares of Common
 Stock into a smaller number of shares, in each case whether
 by reclassification of shares, recapitalization of the

                           -25-

<PAGE>   71

Company (excluding a recapitalization effected by a merger or
consolidation to which Section 8 hereof applies) or
otherwise, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior
to such action shall be adjusted by multiplying such
Conversion Price by the fraction the numerator of which is
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately
before such event and the denominator of which is the number
of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such
event. An adjustment made pursuant to this paragraph 9(A)
shall be given effect, upon payment of such a dividend or
distribution, as of the record date for the determination of
shareholders entitled to receive such dividend or
distribution (on a retroactive basis) and in the case of a
subdivision or combination shall become effective immediately
as of the effective date thereof.

          (B) In the event that the Company shall, at any
time or from time to time while any of the shares of Series B
Preferred Stock are outstanding, issue to holders of shares
of Common Stock as a dividend or distribution, including by
way of a reclassification of shares or a recapitalization of
the Company, rights or warrants to purchase shares of Common
Stock (but not including as such rights or warrants the
Rights (as defined in Section 5 hereof) or any securities
convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock)
at a purchase price per share less than the Fair Market Value

                           -26-

<PAGE>   72

(as hereinafter defined) of a share of Common Stock on the
date of issuance of such rights or warrants, to the extent
that such dividend or distribution consists of such rights or
warrants, then, subject to the provisions of paragraphs (E)
and (F) of this Section 9, the Conversion Price shall be
adjusted by multiplying such Conversion Price by the fraction
the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding immediately before such issuance of
rights or warrants plus the number of shares of Common Stock
which could be purchased at the Fair Market Value of a share
of Common Stock at the time of such issuance for the maximum
aggregate consideration payable upon exercise in full of all
such rights or warrants and the denominator of which shall be
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately
before such issuance of rights or warrants plus the maximum
number of shares of Common Stock that could be acquired upon
the exercise in full of all such rights and warrants.

         (C) In the event the Company shall, at any time or
from time to time while any of the shares of Series B
Preferred Stock are outstanding, make an Extraordinary
Distribution (as hereinafter defined) in respect of the
Common Stock, whether by dividend, distribution,
reclassification of shares or recapitalization of the Company
(excluding a recapitalization or reclassification effected by
a merger or consolidation to which Section 8 hereof applies)

                          -27-

<PAGE>   73

or effect a Pro Rata Repurchase (as hereinafter defined) of
Common Stock where the aggregate amount paid in the
Extraordinary Distribution or the aggregate premium paid in
the Pro Rata Repurchase over the Fair Market Value of the
shares of Common Stock repurchased (as determined on the
expiration date (including all extensions thereof) of the
applicable tender offer or exchange offer), either alone or
when combined with aggregate amounts or premiums paid in
respect of any other Extraordinary Distributions or Pro Rata
Repurchases effected within the preceding twelve-month period
(which other Extraordinary Distributions or Pro Rata
Repurchases have not been previously taken into account for
the purpose of adjusting the Conversion Price pursuant to
this paragraph (C) of Section 9) exceeds twelve and one-half
percent (12 - 1/2%) of the aggregate Fair Market Value of all
shares of Common Stock outstanding on the record date in
respect of such Extraordinary Distribution or on the
expiration date (including all extensions thereof) of the
applicable tender offer or exchange offer in respect of such
Pro Rata Repurchase, as the case may be, the Conversion Price
in effect immediately prior to such Extraordinary
Distribution or Pro Rata Repurchase shall, subject to
paragraphs (E) and (F) of this Section 9, be adjusted by
multiplying such Conversion Price by the fraction the
numerator of which is (i) the product of (x) the number of

                          -28-

<PAGE>   74

shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before such
Extraordinary Distribution or Pro Rata Repurchase multiplied
by (y) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on
the record date with respect to an Extraordinary
Distribution, or on the expiration date (including all
extensions thereof) of the applicable tender offer or
exchange offer with respect to a Pro Rata Repurchase minus
(ii) the Fair Market Value of the Extraordinary Distribution
or the aggregate purchase price of the Pro Rata Repurchase,
as the case may be, and the denominator of which shall be the
product of (A) the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately before such Extraordinary
Distribution or Pro Rata Repurchase minus, in the case of a
Pro Rata Repurchase, the number of shares of Common Stock
repurchased by the Company multiplied by (B) the Fair Market
Value of a share of Common Stock on the record date with
respect to an Extraordinary Distribution or on the expiration
date (including all extensions thereof) of the applicable
tender offer or exchange offer. The Company shall send each
holder of Series B Preferred Stock (i) notice of its intent
to make any Extraordinary Distribution and (ii) notice of any
offer by the Company to make a Pro Rata Repurchase, in each
case at the same time as, or as soon as practicable after,
such offer is first communicated (including by announcement
of a record date in accordance with the rules of any stock


                             -29-

<PAGE>   75

exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to
trading) to holders of Common Stock. Such notice shall
indicate the intended record date and the amount and nature
of such Extraordinary Distribution, or the number of shares
subject to such offer for a Pro Rata Repurchase and the
purchase price payable by the Company pursuant to such offer,
as well as the Conversion Price and the number of shares of
Common Stock into which a share of Series B Preferred Stock
may be converted at such time.

          (D) In the event the Company shall, at any time or
from time to time while any of the shares of Series B
Preferred Stock are outstanding, issue, sell or exchange
shares of Common Stock (other than pursuant to any employee
or director incentive or benefit plan or arrangement,
including any employment, severance or consulting agreement,
of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company heretofore or
hereafter adopted) for a consideration having a Fair Market
Value on the date of such issuance, sale or exchange of fifty
percent (50%) or less of the Fair Market Value of such shares
on the date of such issuance, sale or exchange, then, subject
to the provisions of paragraphs (E) and (F) of this Section
9, the Conversion Price shall be adjusted by multiplying such
Conversion Price by the fraction the numerator of which shall
be the sum of (i) the Fair Market Value of all the shares of
Common Stock outstanding on the day immediately preceding

                           -30-

<PAGE>   76

such issuance, sale or exchange plus (ii) the Fair Market
Value of the consideration received by the Company in respect
of such issuance, sale or exchange of shares of Common Stock,
and the denominator of which shall be the product of (i) the
Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the day
immediately preceding such issuance, sale or exchange
multiplied by (ii) the sum of the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding on such day plus the number of shares of
Common Stock so issued, sold or exchanged by the Company.

          (E) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
Section 9, the Company shall not be required to make
immediately any adjustment of the Conversion Price unless
such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at
least one percent (1%) in the Conversion Price. Any lesser
adjustment shall be carried forward and shall be made no
later than the earlier of (i) three years after the event
which gives rise to such adjustment and (ii) the time of the
next subsequent adjustment which, together with any
adjustment or adjustments so carried forward, shall amount to
an increase or decrease of at least one percent (1%) in the
Conversion Price.

          (F) If the Company shall make any dividend or
 distribution on the Common Stock or issue any Common Stock,
 other capital stock or other security convertible into or
 exchangeable for capital stock of the Company or any rights


                             -31-

<PAGE>   77

or warrants to purchase or acquire any such security, which
transaction does not result in an adjustment to the
Conversion Price pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this
Section 9, the Board of Directors of the Company may
consider, but shall be under no legal obligation to consider,
whether such action is of such a nature that an adjustment to
the Conversion Price should equitably be made in respect of
such transaction. If in such case the Board of Directors of
the Company determines that an adjustment to the Conversion
Price should be made, an adjustment shall be made effective
as of such date, as determined by the Board of Directors of
the Company. The determination of the Board of Directors of
the Company as to whether an adjustment to the Conversion
Price should be made pursuant to the foregoing provisions of
this paragraph 9(F), and, if so, as to what adjustment should
be made and when, shall be final and binding on the Company
and all stockholders of the Company. Without limiting the
foregoing, the Company shall be entitled to make such
additional adjustments in the Conversion Price, in addition
to those required by the foregoing provisions of this Section
9, as shall be necessary in order that any dividend or
distribution in shares of capital stock of the Company,
subdivision, reclassification or combination of shares of
stock of the Company or any recapitalization of the Company


                            -32-

<PAGE>   78

or other event shall not be taxable to holders of the Common
Stock.

          (G) For purposes of this Resolution, the following
definitions shall apply:

          "Extraordinary Distribution" shall mean any dividend
or other distribution (i) of cash, including for this purpose
regular quarterly cash dividends declared and paid by the
Company, and (ii) of any shares of capital stock of the Company
(other than shares of Common Stock referred to in clause (i) of
paragraph (A) of this Section 9), other securities of the
Company (other than rights or warrants of the type referred to
in paragraph (B) of this Section 9), evidence of indebtedness
of the Company or any other person or any other property
(including shares of any subsidiary of the Company), or any
combination thereof, each as valued at Fair Market Value.

          "Fair Market Value" shall mean (a) as to cash, the
 amount of cash, and (b) as to shares of Common Stock or any
 other class of capital stock or securities of the Company or
 any other issuer which are publicly traded, the average of the
 Current Market Prices (as hereinafter defined) of such shares
 or securities for each day of the Adjustment Period (as
 hereinafter defined). "Current Market Price" of publicly
 traded shares of Common Stock or any other class of capital
 stock or other security of the Company or any other issuer for
 a day shall mean the last reported sales price, regular way,


                              -33-

<PAGE>   79

or, in case no sale takes place on such day, the average of
the reported closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in
either case as reported on the New York Stock Exchange
Composite Tape or, if such security is not listed or admitted
to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal
national securities exchange on which such security is listed
or admitted to trading, or if not listed or admitted to
trading on any national securities exchange, on the NASDAQ
National Market System or, if such security is not quoted on
such National Market System, the average of the closing bid
and asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market
as reported by NASDAQ or, if bid and asked prices for such
security on such day shall not have been reported through
NASDAQ, the average of the bid and asked prices for such day
as furnished by any New York Stock Exchange member firm
regularly making a market in such security selected for such
purpose by the Board of Directors of the Company or a
committee thereof on each trading day during the Adjustment
Period. "Adjustment Period" shall mean the period of five
(5) consecutive trading days, selected by the Board of
Directors of the Company or a committee thereof, during the
20 trading days preceding, and including, the date as of
which the Fair Market Value of a security is to be
determined. The "Fair Market Value" of any security which is
not publicly traded or of any other property shall mean the

                           -34-

<PAGE>   80

fair value thereof as determined by an independent investment
banking or appraisal firm experienced in the valuation of
such securities or property selected in good faith by the
Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof, or,
if no such investment banking or appraisal firm is in the
good faith judgment of the Board of Directors or such
committee available to make such determination, as determined
in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company or
such committee.

          "Pro Rata Repurchase" shall mean any purchase of
shares of Common Stock by the Company or any subsidiary
thereof, whether for cash, shares of capital stock of the
Company, other securities of the Company, evidences of
indebtedness of the Company or any other person or any other
property (including shares of a subsidiary of the Company),
or any combination thereof, pursuant to any tender offer or
exchange offer subject to Section 13(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or any
successor provision of law.

          (H) Whenever an adjustment to the Conversion Price
and the related voting rights of the Series B Preferred Stock
is required pursuant to this Resolution, the Company shall
forthwith place on file with the transfer agent for the
Common Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock if there be
one, and with the Secretary of the Company, a statement

                            -35-

<PAGE>   81

signed by two officers of the Company stating the adjusted
Conversion Price determined as provided herein and the
resulting conversion ratio, and the voting rights (as
appropriately adjusted), of the Series B Preferred Stock.
Such statement shall set forth in reasonable detail such
facts as shall be necessary to show the reason and the manner
of computing such adjustment, including any determination of
Fair Market Value involved in such computation. Promptly
after each adjustment to the Conversion Price and the related
voting rights of the Series B Preferred Stock, the Company
shall mail a notice thereof and of the then prevailing
conversion ratio to each holder of shares of Series B
Preferred Stock.

          Section 10.   Ranking; Retirement of Shares.
          -------       -----------------------------

          (A) The Series B Preferred Stock shall rank senior
to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and the
Common Stock as to the payment of dividends and the
distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution and
winding-up of the Company, and, unless otherwise provided in
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as
amended, or a Certificate of Designations relating to a
subsequent series of Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value, of the
Company, the Series B Preferred Stock shall rank junior to
all other series of the Company's Preferred Stock, $1.00 par

                            -36-

<PAGE>   82

value, as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of
assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding-up.

        (B) Any shares of Series B Preferred Stock
acquired by the Company by reason of the conversion or
redemption of such shares as provided by this Resolution, or
otherwise so acquired, shall be retired as shares of Series B
Preferred Stock and restored to the status of authorized but
unissued shares of Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value, of the
Company, undesignated as to series, and may thereafter be
reissued as part of a new series of such Preferred Stock as
permitted by law.

          Section 11.    Miscellaneous.
          ----------     -------------

          (A) All notices referred to herein shall be in
writing, and all notices hereunder shall be deemed to have
been given upon the earlier of receipt thereof or three (3)
business days after the mailing thereof if sent by registered
mail (unless first-class mail shall be specifically permitted
for such notice under the terms of this Resolution) with
postage prepaid, addressed: (i) if to the Company, to its
office at 950 Winter Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02254 or
to the transfer agent for the Series B Preferred Stock, or
other agent of the Company designated as permitted by this
Resolution, or (ii) if to any holder of the Series B
Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as the case may be, to such
holder at the address of such holder as listed in the stock

                           -37-

<PAGE>   83

record books of the Company (which may include the records of
any transfer agent for the Series B Preferred Stock or Common
Stock, as the case may be) or (iii) to such other address as
the Company or any such holder, as the case may be, shall
have designated by notice similarly given.

          (B) The term "Common Stock" as used in this
Resolution means the Company's Common Stock of $1.00 par
value, as the same exists at the date of filing of a
Certificate of Designations relating to Series B Preferred
Stock or any other class of stock resulting from successive
changes or reclassifications of such Common Stock consisting
solely of changes in par value, or from par value to no par
value, or from no par value to par value. In the event that,
at any time as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to
Section 9 of this Resolution, the holder of any share of
Series B Preferred Stock upon thereafter surrendering such
shares for conversion shall become entitled to receive any
shares or other securities of the Company other than shares
of Common Stock, the Conversion Price in respect of such
other shares or securities so receivable upon conversion of
shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall thereafter be
adjusted, and shall be subject to further adjustment from
time to time, in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent
as practicable to the provisions with respect to Common Stock
contained in Section 9 hereof, and the provisions of Sections

                          -38-

<PAGE>   84

1 through 8 and 10 and 11 of this Resolution with respect to
the Common Stock shall apply on like or similar terms to any
such other shares or securities.

           (C) The Company shall pay any and all stock
transfer and documentary stamp taxes that may be payable in
respect of any issuance or delivery of shares of Series B
Preferred Stock or shares of Common Stock or other securities
issued on account of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant hereto
or certificates representing such shares or securities. The
Company shall not, however, be required to pay any such tax
which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in
the issuance or delivery of shares of Series B Preferred
Stock or Common Stock or other securities in a name other
than that in which the shares of Series B Preferred Stock
with respect to which such shares or other securities are
issued or delivered were registered, or in respect of any
payment to any person with respect to any such shares or
securities other than a payment to the registered holder
thereof, and shall not be required to make any such issuance,
delivery or payment unless and until the person otherwise
entitled to such issuance, delivery or payment has paid to
the Company the amount of any such tax or has established, to
the satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been paid
or is not payable.


                           -39-

<PAGE>   85

          (D) In the event that a holder of shares of Series
B Preferred Stock shall not by written notice designate the
name in which shares of Common Stock to be issued upon
conversion of such shares should be registered or to whom
payment upon redemption of shares of Series B Preferred Stock
should be made or the address to which the certificate or
certificates representing such shares, or such payment,
should be sent, the Company shall be entitled to register
such shares, and make such payment, in the name of the holder
of such Series B Preferred Stock as shown on the records of
the Company and to send the certificate or certificates
representing such shares, or such payment, to the address of
such holder shown on the records of the Company.

          (E) Unless otherwise provided in the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company, all
payments in the form of dividends, distributions on voluntary
or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding-up or
otherwise made upon the shares of Series B Preferred Stock
and any other stock ranking on a parity with the Series B
Preferred Stock with respect to such dividends or
distributions shall be made pro rata, so that amounts paid
per share on the Series B Preferred Stock and such other
stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio
that the required dividends, distributions or payments, as
the case may be, then payable per share on the shares of the

                            -40-

<PAGE>   86

Series B Preferred Stock and such other stock bear to each
other.

          (F) The Company may appoint, and from time to time
discharge and change, a transfer agent for the Series B
Preferred Stock. Upon any such appointment or discharge of a
transfer agent, the Company shall send notice thereof by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, to each holder of record
of Series B Preferred Stock.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed and subscribed
this Certificate of Designations and do affirm the foregoing
as true under the penalties of perjury this 17th day of
November, 1988.


                                /s/ Samuel W. Bodman   
                                ----------------------
                                Samuel W. Bodman
                                Chairman of the Board

ATTEST:

/s/ Charles Gerlinger   
- ------------------------
Charles Gerlinger
Secretary


                               -41-
<PAGE>   87
                                                                 EXHIBIT 3(a)

              AMENDED CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION, PREFERENCES AND
                    RIGHTS OF SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING
                      PREFERRED STOCK OF CABOT CORPORATION

                            (Pursuant to Section 151
            of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware)

                  We, Kennett F. Burnes, President, and Charles D. Gerlinger,
Secretary of Cabot Corporation (the "Corporation"), a corporation organized and
existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 103 thereof, DO HEREBY CERTIFY as
follows:

                  That pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Board of
Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation of the said Corporation, said
Board of Directors on November 10, 1995, voted to create a series of 1,000,000
shares of Preferred Stock designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock:

                  VOTED, that pursuant to the authority granted to and vested in
the Board of Directors of this Corporation in accordance with the provisions of
the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation and Section 151(g) of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Board of Directors hereby approves
and adopts an amendment to the Certificate of Designation, Preferences and
Rights of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of Cabot
Corporation, which Certificate is hereby amended in its entirety, and hereby
states the designation and number of shares, and fixes the relative rights,
preferences and limitations thereof (in addition to the provisions set forth in
the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation which are applicable to the
Preferred Stock of all classes and series) as follows:

                  Section 1. Designation and Amount. There shall be a series of
Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Corporation which shall be
designated as "Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock," par value $1.00
per share, and the number of shares constituting such series shall be 1,000,000.
Such number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board
of Directors; provided, that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock to a number less than that of the
shares then outstanding plus the number of shares issuable upon exercise of
outstanding rights, options or warrants or upon conversion of outstanding
securities issued by the Corporation.

                  Section 2.  Dividends and Distributions.

                  (A) Subject to the prior and superior rights of the holders of
any shares of any series of Preferred Stock ranking prior and superior to the
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the
holders of shares of Series A
<PAGE>   88
Junior Participating Preferred Stock in preference to the holders of shares of
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Common Stock"), of the Corporation
and any other junior stock, shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if
declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the
purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the last day of each fiscal
quarter of the Corporation in each year or such other dates as the Board of
Directors of the Corporation shall approve (each such date being referred to
herein as a "Quarterly Dividend Payment Date"), commencing on the first
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or fraction
of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in an amount per
share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (a) $18.00 or (b)
subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, 100 times the
aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 100 times the aggregate
per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other
distributions other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or a
subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or
otherwise), declared on the Common Stock since the immediately preceding
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, or, with respect to the first Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a
share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. In the event the
Corporation shall at any time after November 24, 1995 (the "Rights Declaration
Date") (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common
Stock, (ii) subdivide (by a stock split or otherwise) the outstanding Common
Stock, or (iii) combine (by a reverse stock split or otherwise) the outstanding
Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the amount
to which holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock were
entitled immediately prior to such event under clause (b) of the preceding
sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the
numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

                  (B) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution
on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph
(A) above at the time it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock
(other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock); provided that, in the
event no dividend or distribution shall have been declared on the Common Stock
during the period between any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date and the next
subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, a dividend of $18.00 per share on
the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall nevertheless be payable
on such subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.

                  (C) So long as any shares of the Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock are outstanding, no dividends or other distributions shall be
declared, paid or distributed, or set aside for payment or distribution, on the
Common Stock unless, in each

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   89
case, the dividend required by this Section 2 to be declared on the Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have been declared.

                  (D) The holders of the shares of the Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to receive any dividends or
other distributions except as provided herein.

                  (E) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on
outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock from the
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares
of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock unless the date of issue of
such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from the date
of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the determination of holders
of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitled to receive a
quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date in either of
which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear
interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total of such dividends at the time
accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a
share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding. The Board of
Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of shares of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of a
dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be no more
than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.

                  Section 3.  Voting Rights.  The holders of shares of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:

                  (A) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set
forth, each share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall entitle
the holder thereof to 100 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the
stockholders of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation shall at any time
after the Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock
payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide (by a stock split or
otherwise) the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine (by a reverse stock
split or otherwise) the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of
shares, then in each such case the number of votes per share to which holders of
shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock were entitled
immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such number by
a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the
number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such
event.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   90
                  (B) Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, the holders
of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and the holders of
shares of Common Stock shall vote together as one class on all matters submitted
to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation.

                  (C)      (i) If at any time dividends on any Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock shall be in arrears in an amount equal to at least
six (6) full quarterly dividends (whether or not declared and whether or not
consecutive) thereon, the occurrence of such contingency shall mark the
beginning of a period (herein called a "default period") which shall extend
until such time when all accrued and unpaid dividends for all previous quarterly
dividend periods and for the current quarterly dividend period on all shares of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock then outstanding shall have been
declared and paid or set apart for payment. During each default period, all
holders of Preferred Stock (including holders of the Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock) with dividends in arrears in an amount equal to
at least six (6) full quarterly dividends (whether or not declared and whether
or not consecutive) thereon, voting as a class, irrespective of series, shall
have the right to elect two (2) Directors.

                           (ii) During any default period, such voting right of
the holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock may be exercised
initially at a special meeting called pursuant to subparagraph (iii) of this
Section 3(C) or at any annual meeting of stockholders, and thereafter at annual
meetings of stockholders, provided that neither such voting right nor the right
of the holders of any other series of Preferred Stock, if any, to increase, in
certain cases, the authorized number of Directors shall be exercised unless the
holders of one-third (1/3) in number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding
shall be present in person or by proxy. The absence of a quorum of the holders
of Common Stock shall not affect the exercise by the holders of Preferred Stock
of such voting right. At any meeting at which the holders of Preferred Stock
shall exercise such voting right initially during an existing default period,
they shall have the right, voting as a class, to elect Directors to fill such
vacancies, if any, in the Board of Directors as may then exist up to two (2)
Directors or, if such right is exercised at an annual meeting, to elect two (2)
Directors. If the number which may be so elected at any special meeting does not
amount to the required number, the holders of the Preferred Stock shall have the
right to make such increase in the number of Directors as shall be necessary to
permit the election by them of the required number. After the holders of the
Preferred Stock shall have exercised their right to elect Directors in any
default period and during the continuance of such period, the number of
directors shall not be increased or decreased except by vote of the holders of
Preferred Stock as herein provided or pursuant to the rights of any equity
securities ranking senior to or pari passu with the Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   91
                           (iii) Unless the holders of Preferred Stock shall,
during an existing default period, have previously exercised their right to
elect Directors, the Board of Directors may order, or any stockholder or
stockholders owning in the aggregate not less than ten percent (10%) of the
total number of Preferred Stock outstanding, irrespective of series, may
request, the calling of a special meeting of the holders of Preferred Stock,
which meeting shall thereupon be called by the Chairman of the Board or the
President of the Corporation. Notice of such meeting and of any annual meeting
at which holders of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote pursuant to this
paragraph (C)(iii) shall be given to each holder of record of Preferred Stock by
mailing a copy of such notice to him at his last address as the same appears on
the books of the Corporation. Such meeting shall be called for a time not
earlier than 10 days and not later than 60 days after such order or request or
in default of the calling of such meeting within 60 days after such order or
request, such meeting may be called on similar notice by any stockholder or
stockholders owning in the aggregate not less than ten percent (10%) of the
total number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this paragraph (C)(iii), no such special meeting shall be called
during the period within 60 days immediately preceding the date fixed for the
next annual meeting of the stockholders.

                           (iv)  In any default period, the holders of Common
Stock, and other classes of stock of the Corporation if applicable, shall
continue to be entitled to elect the whole number of Directors until the holders
of Preferred Stock shall have exercised their right to elect two (2) Directors
voting as a class, after the exercise of which right (x) the Directors so
elected by the holders of Preferred Stock shall continue in office until their
successors shall have been elected by such holders or until the expiration of
the default period, and (y) any vacancy in the Board of Directors may (except as
provided in paragraph (C)(ii) of this Section 3) be filled by a vote of a
majority of the remaining Directors theretofore elected by the holders of the
class of stock which elected the Director whose office shall become vacant.
References in this paragraph (C) to Directors elected by the holders of a
particular class of stock shall include Directors elected by such Directors to
fill vacancies as provided in clause (y) of the foregoing sentence.

                           (v)   Immediately upon the expiration of a default
period, (x) the right of the holders of Preferred Stock as a class to elect
Directors shall cease, (y) the term of any Directors elected by the holders of
Preferred Stock as a class shall terminate, and (z) the number of Directors
shall be such number as may be provided for in the Certificate of Incorporation
or By-laws irrespective of any increase made pursuant to the provisions of
paragraph (C)(ii) of this Section 3 (such number being subject, however, to
change thereafter in any manner provided by law or in the Certificate of
Incorporation or By-laws). Any vacancies in the Board of Directors effected by
the provisions of clauses (y) and (z) in the preceding sentence may be filled by
a majority of the remaining Directors.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   92
                  (D) Except as set forth herein, holders of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and their
consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote
with holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate
action.

                  Section 4.  Certain Restrictions.

                  (A) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or
distributions payable on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as
provided in Section 2 are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and
unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series
A Junior Participating Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full,
the Corporation shall not:

                           (i)   Declare or pay dividends on, make any other
distributions on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration
any shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock;

                           (ii)  Declare or pay dividends on or make any other
distributions on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends
or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock except dividends paid ratably on the Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on which
dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which
the holders of all such shares are then entitled;

                           (iii) Redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for
consideration shares of any stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or
upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock provided that the Corporation may at any time
redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any such parity stock in
exchange for shares of any stock of the Corporation ranking junior (either as to
dividends or upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to the Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock; or

                           (iv)  Purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration
any shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock or any shares of
stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Junior Participating Junior
Preferred Stock except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by
publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to all holders of such
shares upon such terms as the Board of Directors, after consideration of the
respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of
the respective series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in
fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or classes.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   93
                  (B) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the
Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of
stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under paragraph (A) of
this Section 4, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in
such manner.

                  Section 5. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation
in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and cancelled promptly after the
acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their cancellation become
authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of
a new series of Preferred Stock to be created by resolution or resolutions of
the Board of Directors, subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance
set forth herein.

                  Section 6. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.

                  (A) Upon any liquidation (voluntary or otherwise), dissolution
or winding up of the Corporation, no distribution shall be made to the holders
of shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock
unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock shall have received per share, the amount of $18.00, plus an
amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether
or not declared, to the date of such payment (the "Series A Liquidation
Preference"). Following the payment of the full amount of the Series A
Liquidation Preference, no additional distributions shall be made to the holders
of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock unless, prior
thereto, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall have received an amount per
share (the "Common Adjustment") equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i)
the Series A Liquidation Preference by (ii) 100 (as appropriately adjusted as
set forth in paragraph (C) below to reflect such events as stock splits, stock
dividends and recapitalizations with respect to the Common Stock) (such number
in clause (ii), the "Adjustment Number"). Following the payment of the full
amount of the Series A Liquidation Preference and the Common Adjustment in
respect of all outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock and Common Stock, respectively, holders of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock and holders of shares of Common Stock shall receive their
ratable and proportionate share of the remaining assets to be distributed in the
ratio of the Adjustment Number to 1 with respect to such Preferred Stock and
Common Stock, on a per share basis, respectively.

                  (B) In the event there are not sufficient assets available to
permit payment in full of the Series A Liquidation Preference and the
liquidation preferences of all other series of Preferred Stock, if any, which
rank on a parity with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, then
such remaining assets shall be distributed ratably to the holders of such parity
shares in proportion to their respective liquidation preferences.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   94
In the event there are not sufficient assets available to permit payment in full
of the Common Adjustment, then such remaining assets shall be distributed
ratably to the holders of Common Stock.

                  (C) In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the
Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in
shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii)
combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in
each case the Adjustment Number in effect immediately prior to such event shall
be adjusted by multiplying such Adjustment Number by a fraction the numerator of
which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such
event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that
were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

                  Section 7. Consolidation, Merger, etc. If the Corporation
shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in
which the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock
or securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such event the shares
of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall at the same time be
similarly exchanged or changed in an amount per share (subject to the provision
for adjustment hereinafter set forth) equal to the Adjustment Number times the
aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable
in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock
is changed or exchanged.

                  Section 8.  No Redemption.  The shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable.

                  Section 9. Ranking. The Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock shall rank junior to all other series of the Corporation's
Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets,
unless the terms of any such series shall provide otherwise.

                  Section 10. Fractional Shares. Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock may be issued in fractions of a share which shall entitle the
holder, in proportion to such holder's fractional shares, to exercise voting
rights, receive dividends, participate in distributions and to have the benefit
of all other rights of holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

                  Section 11. Amendment. The Certificate of Incorporation of the
Corporation shall not be further amended in any manner which would materially
alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely without the
affirmative vote of the holders

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   95
of a majority or more of the outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class.

                  Section 12. Effective Date. This Amended Certificate of
Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock of Cabot Corporation shall be effective at 5:00 P.M., Eastern Standard
Time, on November 24, 1995.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed and subscribed this
Certificate and do affirm the foregoing as true under penalties of perjury this
10th day of November, 1995.

                                                     By:/s/ Kennett F. Burnes
                                                        ------------------------
                                                        Kennett F. Burnes
                                                        President

Attest:

/s/ Charles D. Gerlinger
- --------------------------

Charles D. Gerlinger
Secretary

                                      -9-

<PAGE>   1
                                                              Exhibit 10(a)(iii)

                       AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

         AMENDMENT dated as of May 31, 1996 among CABOT CORPORATION (the
"Borrower"), the BANKS listed on the signature pages hereof (the "Banks") and
MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, as Agent (the "Agent").

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

         WHEREAS, the parties hereto have heretofore entered into a Credit
Agreement dated as of January 13, 1994 (the "Agreement"); and

         WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend the Agreement to modify the
covenant relating to Investments and to exclude, subject to the terms set forth
below, certain stock repurchases from the calculation of, and otherwise modify
the covenant relating to, Consolidated Tangible Net Worth.

         NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         SECTION 1. Definitions; References. Unless otherwise specifically
defined herein, each term used herein which is defined in the Agreement shall
have the meaning assigned to such term in the Agreement. Each reference to
"hereof", "hereunder", "herein" and "hereby" and each other similar reference
and each reference to "this Agreement" and each other similar reference
contained in the Agreement shall from and after the date hereof refer to the
Agreement as amended hereby.

         SECTION 2. Amendment of Section 1.01 of the Agreement. (a) Section 1.01
of the Agreement is amended by inserting, in its appropriate alphabetical
position, the following definition:

         "Long-Term Incentive Plans" means the Borrower's Equity Incentive Plan
and the 1996 Equity Incentive Plan.

         (b) Section 1.01 of the Agreement is further amended by restating the
definition of "Profit Sharing Plan" in its entirety to read

         "Profit Sharing Plan" means the Cabot Retirement Incentive Savings
Plan.

         SECTION 3. Amendment of Section 5.08 of the Agreement. (a) Section 5.08
of the Agreement is amended by (i) deleting the figure "$375,931,811" at the
beginning of clause (i) of the section and replacing it with "$500,000,000" and
(ii) deleting the text "September 30, 1993" immediately before the word "plus"
at the end of clause (ii) of the section and replacing it with the text "March
31, 1996".

         (b) Section 5.08 of the Agreement is further amended by adding
immediately following the period of the last sentence of that section:

                  For purposes of this provision, the effects of the following
                  will be disregarded in calculating Consolidated Tangible Net
                  Worth:

                           (a) the dollar amount paid for the stock of the
                  Borrower repurchased after March 31, 1996 from the Borrower's
                  employees, to the extent such repurchased stock exceeds the
                  dollar amount received for stock issued to the Borrower's
                  employees ("net stock repurchases"), in a maximum aggregate
                  amount of $50,000,000, in connection with the Borrower's
                  Long-Term Incentive Plan, provided that no more than
                  $10,000,000 of net stock repurchases shall be disregarded in
                  any fiscal year of the Company; and




<PAGE>   2



                           (b) repurchases of the stock of the Borrower made
                  with the proceeds of the disposition or monetization of the
                  stock of KN Energy, Inc., in a maximum aggregate amount of
                  $75,000,000, to the extent proceeds of such disposition exceed
                  any increase in Consolidated Tangible Net Worth as a result of
                  such disposition or monetization.

         SECTION 4. Amendment of Section 5.10 of the Agreement. Section 5.10(a)
of the Agreement is restated in its entirety to read as follows:

         (a) Investments in Subsidiaries and Equity Affiliates (including
investments in entities which, as a result of such Investment, become
Subsidiaries or Equity Affiliates) and Investments in KN Energy, Inc. and Aearo
Corporation or any successor to either of such entities, provided that the
Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries may continue to hold Investments in
any entity which was, or is the successor (by merger, acquisition or otherwise)
to a Subsidiary or Equity Affiliate whether or not such entity remains a
Subsidiary or Equity Affiliate and may take and hold Investments in any
affiliate of such a successor received in connection with any such merger,
acquisition or similar transaction.

         SECTION 5. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

         SECTION 6. Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Amendment may be signed in
any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same
effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
This Amendment shall become effective as of the date hereof when the Agent shall
have received duly executed counterparts hereof signed by the Borrower and the
Required Banks (or, in the case of any party as to which an executed counterpart
shall not have been received, the Agent shall have received telegraphic, telex
or other written confirmation from such party of execution of a counterpart
hereof by such party).



                                       2
<PAGE>   3








         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be
duly executed as of the date first above written.

                                         CABOT CORPORATION


                                          By /s/ Margaret J. Hanratty
                                             ---------------------------------
                                               Title: Vice President and
                                                      Treasurer

                                          MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY
                                                   OF NEW YORK


                                          By /s/ Deborah Brodheim
                                             ---------------------------------
                                               Title: Vice President

                                          THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
                                                   OF BOSTON


                                          By /s/ Harvey H. Thayer, Jr.
                                             ---------------------------------
                                               Title: Director

                                          CITIBANK, N.A.


                                          By /s/ Gian Paolo Potsios
                                             ---------------------------------
                                               Title: Vice President

                                          CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH


                                          By /s/ Jacques-Yves Mulliez
                                             ---------------------------------
                                               Title: Senior Vice President

                                          CREDIT LYONNAIS
                                              CAYMAN ISLAND BRANCH


                                          By /s/ Jacques-Yves Mulliez
                                             ---------------------------------
                                               Title: Senior Vice President

                                          ABN AMRO BANK N.V., BOSTON
                                                   BRANCH
                                          By: ABN AMRO NORTH AMERICAN,
                                                   INC., As Agent


                                          By /s/ Charles J. Wahle
                                             ---------------------------------
                                               Title: Assistant Vice
                                                   President


                                       3

<PAGE>   4

                                          By /s/ Carol A. Levine
                                             ---------------------------------
                                               Title: Senior Vice President
                                                      and Managing Director

                                          THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A.


                                          By /s/ Scott S. Ward
                                             ---------------------------------
                                              Title: Vice President

                                          MIDLAND BANK PLC NEW YORK BRANCH


                                          By /s/ Mark J. Rakov
                                             ---------------------------------
                                               Title: Authorized Signatory

                                          THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN
                                                   TRUST COMPANY


                                          By /s/ Robert W. Ramage, Jr.
                                             ---------------------------------
                                               Title: Senior Vice President

                                          BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.


                                          By /s/ William J. Whelan, Jr.
                                             ---------------------------------
                                               Title: Senior Manager

                                          MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY
                                                   OF NEW YORK, as Agent


                                          By /s/ Deborah A. Brodheim
                                             ---------------------------------
                                               Title: Vice President
                                          60 Wall Street
                                          New York, New York  10260
                                          Attention: Deborah Brodheim
                                          Telex number:
                                          Telecopy number: 212/648-5018



                                       4



<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 11



                                CABOT CORPORATION

         Earnings per Common Share for the Year Ended September 30, 1996

                 Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings
                    (In thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                    Primary (a)     Fully Diluted (a)
                                                                    -----------     -----------------

<S>                                                                  <C>               <C>
Shares of common stock outstanding at October 1, 1995,
         less treasury stock                                           74,764            74,764

Plus net weighted shares of treasury stock purchased                   (2,744)           (2,744)

Plus common stock equivalents:

         Effect of convertible preferred stock conversion                   -             6,087
         Effect of equity incentive awards                              1,217             1,238
                                                                     --------          --------

Weighted average shares outstanding                                    73,237            79,345
                                                                     ========          ========

Income applicable to common shares                                   $190,756          $190,756

Dividends on preferred stock                                                -             3,301

Preferred stock conversion compensation shortfall                           -            (2,061)
                                                                     --------          --------

Income applicable to common shares                                   $190,756          $191,996
                                                                     ========          ========

Earnings per common share                                            $   2.60          $   2.42
                                                                     ========          ========
</TABLE>



(a) All common stock and equivalents reflect, as of the beginning of the fiscal
year, the two-for-one stock split authorized on November 10, 1995 by the Board
of Directors contingent upon shareholder approval of an amendment to the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation. This amendment was approved on March 7,
1996.



<PAGE>   1
                                                                      Exhibit 12
          

                 CABOT CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

        Statement Re: Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
                          (Dollar amounts in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                Years ended September 30
                                                              1996          1995         1994         1993         1992
                                                              ----          ----         ----         ----         ----
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Earnings:
      Income before taxes                                 $279,834      $256,029     $118,325     $ 67,900     $116,599
      Distributed income of affiliated companies            11,173        11,699        5,638        5,988        5,766
      Add fixed charges:
          Interest on indebtedness                          41,718        35,639       41,668       44,043       41,714
          Portion of rents representative of
               the interest factor                           4,837         5,515        5,879        4,838        4,933
                                                          --------      --------     --------    ---------     --------
      Income as adjusted                                  $337,562      $308,882     $171,510     $122,769     $169,012

Fixed charges: 
      Interest on indebtedness                            $ 41,718      $ 35,639     $ 41,668     $ 44,043     $ 41,714
      Capitalized interest                                       -             -            -        3,963            -
      Portion of rents representative of
          the interest factor                                4,837         5,515        5,879        4,838        4,933
                                                          --------      --------    ---------    ---------    ---------

      Total fixed charges                                 $ 46,555      $ 41,154     $ 47,547    $  48,881     $ 50,610

      Ratio of earnings to fixed charges                      7.25          7.51         3.61         2.51         3.34
                                                          ========      ========    =========    =========     ========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   1

                                                                     Exhibit 13


MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

In 1996, Cabot achieved strong operating results, though operating profit fell
marginally short of 1995 operating profit. Cabot reported net income of $194.1
million ($2.42 per fully diluted common share) for 1996, compared to $171.9
million ($2.02 per fully diluted common share) for 1995. Net income for both
years included several special items. Net income in 1996 included gains on the
sale of the Company's TUCO subsidiary and a portion of the Company's investment
in K N Energy, Inc.; two nonrecurring gains in the Company's LNG business; and
the recognition of tax credits related to prior years. Net income in 1995
included a gain from the ownership restructuring of the Company's Cabot Safety
Corporation subsidiary and a charge for remediation of environmental sites
related to divested businesses. Excluding these special items from both years,
fully diluted earnings per share were $1.78 and $1.94 for 1996 and 1995,
respectively.

     Increased spending on research and development and marketing costs
associated with new product and new business initiatives primarily accounted for
the year-to-year earnings decrease. The Company's strategy for long-term
earnings growth involves the development of new, differentiated products and
entirely new businesses. During 1996, the Company spent significantly greater
amounts in pursuit of several new product and new business initiatives than it
had spent in 1995. Most notably, the Company incurred expenses of $12.6 million
in connection with the construction of a semi-works plant in Malaysia to develop
a new proprietary dispersion technology for the Carbon Black Division's tire
business.

     The following analysis of operating results and financial condition should
be read in conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and
accompanying Notes. 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVENUES 
Net sales and other operating revenues increased 1% in 1996 over 1995, compared
with a gain of 9% in 1995 over 1994. In the Specialty Chemicals and Materials
Group, the absence in 1996 of Cabot Safety Corporation revenues due to a 1995
ownership restructuring of that subsidiary, and 2% lower volumes during the
year, were partially offset by higher pricing and the effect of consolidating
the operating results of two carbon black businesses located in the Czech
Republic and India, previously accounted for as affiliates. Energy Group sales
increased in 1996 by $79.4 million due to better pricing and higher liquefied
natural gas (LNG) volumes.

     The 9% increase in the Company's net sales and other operating revenues in
1995 versus 1994 came from the Specialty Chemicals and Materials Group. That
Group's sales benefited from strong global economies and strength in the
automotive and tire markets. The most significant improvement over 1994 occurred
in Europe. The chemical business as a whole experienced improved volumes and
pricing from 1994 levels. In the Energy Group, the Company's LNG business
experienced sales declines as a result of a low level of supplies of LNG due to
the refurbishment of the liquefaction facilities of the Company's Algerian
supplier.

REVENUES

[CHART: SPECIALTY CHEMICALS & MATERIALS VS. ENERGY ($ millions)]


                                         92       93      94       95       96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Specialty Chemicals & Materials        $1,181   $1,192  $1,241   $1,488  $1,434
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Energy                                 $  376   $  423  $  439   $  343  $  422
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$1,500

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$1,000

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$500

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         92       93      94       95       96


     Gross margins as a percentage of net sales were 29% in 1996, compared with
31% in 1995, and 27% in 1994. More than half of the decrease in the gross margin
percentage was caused by the effect of higher LNG sales during 1996. The
Company's LNG gross margins are substantially lower than its specialty chemicals
margins. Also, the absence of Cabot Safety Corporation's operating results
during 1996 contributed to the decrease in the gross margin percentage from 1995
to 1996. Cabot Safety Corporation's gross margin was 44% of net sales in 1995.
Cabot Plastics experienced lower gross margins during 1996 due to both lower
year-to-year prices and higher raw material costs. Gross margins of the carbon
black and tantalum operations were roughly flat with 1995. The Company's fumed
silica business experienced an increase in gross margin during 1996, primarily
due to higher sales of differentiated products compared to 1995. The increase in
gross margin as a percentage of net sales in 1995 from 1994 was partly a result
of higher capacity utilization and better pricing in many of the Company's
specialty chemicals and materials businesses, partially offset by higher raw
material costs.

     Selling, research, technical and administrative expenses decreased 3%, or
$7.4 million, in 1996. Excluding Cabot Safety Corporation from the 1995 figures,
1996 selling, research, technical and administrative spending represented a 16%,
or $39.3 million, increase from 1995. The 


17
<PAGE>   2


increase was largely due to the Company's continued focus on developing new
products. As part of its long-term strategy for earnings growth, the Company has
invested an increasing amount of its resources over the past few years in
research and marketing for the development of high value, differentiated new
products and whole new businesses. During 1996, the Company continued to see
evidence that several new product and new business initiatives will develop over
the next several years into commercial enterprises which, as a group, should
contribute significantly to the Company's earnings over time* (see page 24).
Also, 1996 operating results included the selling, research, technical and
administrative expenses of Cabot's Czech and Indian carbon black affiliates,
which were consolidated at the beginning of the fiscal year.

     Selling, research, technical and administrative expenses increased 9%, or
$23.1 million, in 1995 from 1994 levels. This increase also was a result of
long-term strategic investments dedicated to developing new, higher value
products and processes for the Company's customers.

OPERATING PROFIT
Operating profit was $283.5 million in 1996, $299.5 million in 1995, and $184.3
million in 1994. Operating margins as a percentage of sales were 15% in 1996,
16% in 1995, and 11% in 1994.

     Although operating profit decreased $16.0 million in 1996 from the 1995
amount, Cabot Safety Corporation had contributed $16.7 million to operating
profit in 1995. Excluding Cabot Safety from the 1995 results, operating profit
was flat in 1996. The effects of higher specialty chemical selling prices and
consolidating the Czech and Indian carbon black businesses during 1996 were
offset by increased spending on development activities as discussed previously,
higher raw material costs, and slightly lower volumes. In the Energy Group,
operating profit increased $10.3 million as a result of two special items
totalling $5.8 million, higher prices and greater LNG volumes.

OPERATING MARGINS

[CHART: SPECIALTY CHEMICALS AND MATERIALS]

                                        92      93*     94      95       96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Margins                     13.1%    8.5%    13.4%   19.3%    18.2%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20%

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15%

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10%

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        92      93      94      95       96

* Includes $47.4 million restructuring charge.


     Operating profit increased 63% in 1995 over 1994 as a result of significant
improvement in the Specialty Chemicals and Materials Group, slightly dampened by
declines in the Energy Group. The most significant increases in operating profit
were seen in the Company's European specialty chemicals businesses, as the full
effect of economic recovery in that region was realized. In addition, better
pricing conditions, improved product mix and higher capacity utilization
significantly improved margins in all specialty chemicals businesses. In the
Energy Group, operating profits declined primarily due to reduced supplies of
LNG in the Company's LNG business.

     Included in 1994 operating profit was a $4.0 million reversal of the 1993
Specialty Chemicals and Materials Group restructuring charge based on lower
actual costs incurred during the closing of a carbon black plant in Europe. Also
during 1994, a $6.2 million charge was taken to write off the Company's
investment in its Japanese carbon black affiliate as a result of significant
ongoing losses that were expected to continue.

OTHER EXPENSES
Interest expense was $41.7 million, $35.6 million and $41.7 million for 1996,
1995 and 1994, respectively. The 1996 increase was due to higher short-term debt
resulting from the Company's stock repurchase program, increased capital
spending and the consolidation of the Company's Czech and Indian carbon black
businesses. The decrease in 1995 was primarily due to lower average total debt
and the results of refinancing fixed-rate, high-coupon debt, with short-term
floating-rate debt at lower interest rates during the year.

     Unallocated corporate expenses were $29.2 million in 1996 as compared with
$27.7 million in 1995 and $23.4 million in 1994. The 1996 increase was largely
due to lower interest and dividend income in 1996 versus 1995. The 1995 increase
resulted from higher incentive compensation and environmental expenses partially
offset by higher interest and dividend income.

     "Adjustments of reserves related to divested businesses" includes charges
related to environmental matters of $12.5 million in 1995 and $11.0 million in
1994. These adjustments were based on the Company's estimates of additional
costs likely to be incurred at various environmental sites. In 1994, the Company
also reversed $10.2 million of energy reserves based on the settlement of a
significant claim during the year.

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
The effective tax rate on income from operations was 35% in 1996, 39% in 1995,
and 38% in 1994. The decrease in 1996 reflects research and experimentation tax
credits relating to prior years which the Company now expects to recover. The
effective tax rate would have been 37% without the impact of those credits. The
tax rate increase in 1995 was the result of a one-time taxable gain from the
ownership restructuring of Cabot Safety Corporation. A more detailed analysis of
income taxes is presented in Note K to the Consolidated Financial Statements.



18
<PAGE>   3


<TABLE>

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA BY INDUSTRY SEGMENT

<CAPTION>

                                                                                            Years ended September 30
                                                 --------       --------       --------       --------      --------
Dollars in millions                                  1996           1995           1994           1993          1992
- ---------------------------------------------------------       --------       --------       --------      --------

<S>                                              <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>     
NET SALES AND OTHER OPERATING REVENUES

Specialty Chemicals and Materials ...........    $1,434.3       $1,487.8       $1,241.1       $1,191.8      $1,181.0
Energy ......................................       422.0          342.6          438.7          422.5         376.0
                                                 --------       --------       --------       --------      --------
   Net sales and other operating revenues ...    $1,856.3       $1,830.4       $1,679.8       $1,614.3      $1,557.0
                                                 ========       ========       ========       ========      ========

OPERATING PROFIT

Specialty Chemicals and Materials(a) .......     $  260.5       $  286.8       $  165.9       $  101.7      $  155.0
Energy ......................................        23.0           12.7           18.4           16.7          18.2
                                                 --------       --------       --------       --------      --------
   Total operating profit ...................       283.5          299.5          184.3          118.4         173.2

Interest Expense ............................        41.7           35.6           41.7           44.0          41.7
Unallocated corporate expenses, net(b) ......        29.2           27.7           23.4           20.7          14.9
Gain on sales of businesses .................       (38.9)         (32.6)            --             --            --
Gain on sale of equity securities ...........       (28.3)            --             --             --            --
Adjustment of reserves related to
   divested businesses ......................          --           12.5            0.8          (14.2)           --
                                                 --------       --------       --------       --------      --------
   Income from continuing
   operations before income taxes ...........    $  279.8       $  256.3       $  118.4       $   67.9      $  116.6
                                                 ========       ========       ========       ========      ========

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

Specialty Chemicals and Materials ...........    $   93.8       $   91.2       $   83.3       $   81.5      $   80.5
Energy ......................................         2.9            2.8            2.8            2.8           2.7
General corporate ...........................         0.3            0.2            0.2            0.2           0.9
                                                 --------       --------       --------       --------      --------
   Total ....................................    $   97.0       $   94.2       $   86.3       $   84.5      $   84.1
                                                 ========       ========       ========       ========      ========

FIXED ASSET ADDITIONS

Specialty Chemicals and Materials ...........    $  207.7       $  130.4       $   70.7       $   63.9      $   76.5
Energy ......................................         0.5            0.8            2.9            0.7           1.3
General corporate ...........................         0.9             --             --            0.4           0.3
                                                 --------       --------       --------       --------      --------
   Total ....................................    $  209.1       $  131.2       $   73.6       $   65.0      $   78.1
                                                 ========       ========       ========       ========      ========

IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS

Specialty Chemicals and Materials ...........    $1,427.7       $1,167.9       $1,172.2       $1,117.4      $1,191.2
Energy ......................................        79.7          133.8          127.4          116.1         132.6
General corporate(c) ........................       270.8          253.7          231.0           89.3          79.9
Equity in affiliates -- Specialty
   Chemicals and Materials ..................        79.4           98.9           86.2          103.1          91.0
Equity in affiliates -- Energy ..............          --             --             --           63.6          59.8
                                                 --------       --------       --------       --------      --------
   Total ....................................    $1,857.6       $1,654.3       $1,616.8       $1,489.5      $1,554.5
                                                 ========       ========       ========       ========      ========
<FN>

(a)  Includes a $47.4 restructuring charge in 1993.

(b)  Unallocated corporate expenses, net, include corporate management costs
     reduced by investment income.

(c)  General corporate assets include cash, temporary cash investments,
     investments other than equity basis, income taxes receivable, deferred
     taxes and headquarters' assets.
</TABLE>


                                                                             19

<PAGE>   4
NET INCOME
Reported income in 1996 was $194.1 million ($2.42 per fully diluted common
share) compared with $171.9 million ($2.02 per fully diluted common share) in
1995, and $78.7 million ($0.92 per fully diluted common share) in 1994. For
1996, net income included several special items. These items were the previously
mentioned $5.3 million ($0.06 per fully diluted common share) research and
experimentation tax credits, a $28.3 million ($0.22 per fully diluted common
share) gain from the sale of 1.85 million shares of the Company's investment in
K N Energy, Inc., a $38.9 million ($0.31 per fully diluted common share) gain
from the sale of the Company's coal handling and distribution business, TUCO
INC., and one time adjustments totaling $5.8 million ($0.05 per fully diluted
common share) in the LNG business. Net income in 1995 included a gain of $32.6
million ($0.17 per fully diluted common share) associated with the ownership
restructuring of Cabot Safety Corporation, and a $12.5 million ($0.09 per fully
diluted common share) expense due to the additional adjustment in environmental
reserves. Income in 1994 included a $10.2 million ($0.07 per fully diluted
common share) gain due to the reversal of energy reserves and an $11.0 million
($0.08 per fully diluted common share) expense due to an increase in
environmental reserves. Without these adjustments, net income would have been
$142.9 million ($1.78 per fully diluted common share) in 1996, $165.3 million
($1.94 per fully diluted common share) in 1995, and $79.2 million ($0.93 per
fully diluted common share) in 1994.

SPECIALTY CHEMICALS AND MATERIALS GROUP
The Specialty Chemicals and Materials Group includes the Company's global
specialty chemicals operations. These operations manufacture carbon black, a
very fine black powder used as a reinforcing agent in tires and most industrial
rubber products, and also widely used as an agent in many specialty applications
such as inks, plastics, cables and coatings; fumed silica, a specialty chemical
used as a thickening, dispersing and reinforcing agent in hundreds of products,
such as silicone rubber and polyester resins; thermoplastic concentrates and
specialty compounds; tantalum capacitor materials, and other metals and alloys
for the semiconductor, aerospace, defense and medical markets; polishing
slurries used in chemical mechanical planarization of integrated circuit
devices; and colorants for the ink jet printing industry. In July 1995, the
Company restructured the ownership of its safety business into a new corporation
owned by the Company, Vestar Equity Partners and Cabot Safety management.

[CHART: SPECIALTY CHEMICALS AND MATERIALS REVENUES]

BY GEOGRAPHIC REGION (percent)

1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- Pacific Asia                19%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- North America               36%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- Europe                      37%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- South America                8%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- Pacific Asia                21%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- North America               33%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- Europe                      38%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- South America                8%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Revenues include 100% of equity affiliate sales. Region reflects sales 
destination point.

[CHART: CARBON BLACK SALES VOLUMES]


BY GEOGRAPHIC REGION (percent)

1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- Pacific Asia                21%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- North America               34%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- Europe                      32%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- South America               13%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- Pacific Asia                22%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- North America               35%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- Europe                      31%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- South America               12%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Revenues include 100% of equity affiliate volumes. Region reflects sales 
destination point.

     Excluding Cabot Safety Corporation's sales from the 1995 results to form a
comparative basis, 1996 sales for the Specialty Chemicals and Materials Group
were up 7% from the 1995 level. Sales growth in the carbon black,
microelectronics materials, fumed silica and performance materials businesses
was partially offset by a decline in the sales of the plastics business.
Improved pricing and the effects of consolidating the operating results of the
Czech and Indian carbon black businesses were partially offset by 2% lower
overall volumes. Sales for the Specialty Chemicals and Materials Group were up
20% in 1995 from the 1994 level. All businesses reported double-digit revenue
growth in 1995 versus 1994. Each of the four geographic regions had increased
sales; most significant was a 41% increase in European revenues. Sales growth
for the Group was driven by an overall 10% increase in volumes, most of which
occurred during the first half of the year, and much improved pricing in many
businesses.

     For several years, the Company has been striving to develop and
commercialize new high-value, differentiated products in its specialty chemicals
businesses. The Company defines a five-year new product as a product which was
first sold in commercial quantities within the last five years. Five-year new
products accounted for approximately 8% of specialty chemical revenues in 1996,
compared with 6% in 1995, and 5% in 1994. The Company continues to vigorously
pursue a number of new product and new business opportunities.


20
<PAGE>   5
     In 1996, 67% of Specialty Chemicals and Materials sales made by the Company
and its affiliates were to customers outside North America, compared with 64% in
1995, and 61% in 1994.

     Operating profit for the Specialty Chemicals and Materials Group was $260.5
million in 1996, $286.8 million in 1995, and $165.9 million in 1994. Lower
operating profit in 1996 was due to increased spending for research and
development and marketing costs related to new product, new business and market
development initiatives, the absence of Cabot Safety Corporation earnings during
1996 and lower volumes, partially offset by the effect of higher year-to-year
prices. In 1995, stronger pricing, volume growth, higher capacity utilization
and an improved product mix all contributed to the substantial gross margin
improvement. During 1995 the Company also received a significant benefit from
favorable currency translations, especially versus European currencies, due to
the relative weakness of the dollar.

     Financial results from affiliates are reported in the income statement as
"Equity in net income of affiliated companies." Equity in net income of
affiliates was $18.5 million in 1996, and was $16.7 million and $5.3 million in
1995 and 1994, respectively. The operating results of the Company's affiliates
in the Czech Republic and India were consolidated at the beginning of 1996, and
therefore were excluded from equity in net income of affiliated companies in
1996. Excluding the results of the Czech and Indian operations from the 1995
equity in net income of affiliates amount, the 1996 equity in net income of
affiliates increased by approximately $6.0 million from the prior year. Improved
earnings in the Company's Mexican carbon black joint venture and the Japanese
tantalum joint venture accounted for most of this increase. The significant
improvement in 1995 from the 1994 level was due to contributions from the carbon
black business in the Czech Republic that began operation in late 1994, improved
earnings in the Company's Mexican carbon black affiliate, and the absence of
losses from the Company's Japanese carbon black affiliate, which was written off
in the third quarter of 1994.

     The Company is the world's only global manufacturer of carbon black. In
1996, 65% of carbon black volumes sold by the Company and its affiliates was
sold to customers outside North America, compared with 66% in 1995 and 65% in
1994. Cabot manufactures carbon black on five continents in 26 plants in 19
countries. Many carbon black facilities are wholly owned by the Company, while
others are affiliates managed by the Company or with local partners. The carbon
black business serves three main market sectors, and each is affected in varying
degrees by fluctuating economic conditions. Sales to tire manufacturers
represent the largest percentage of carbon black volumes. This sector is
dependent on both the replacement tire market and, to a lesser extent, new
automobile tire sales. The makers of industrial rubber products, such as hoses
and gaskets, represent a second market for carbon black. The third market is
made up of manufacturers of inks, plastics and other specialty applications that
use very high grade carbon blacks.

     The carbon black business's operating profit increased by 4% in 1996 from
1995. The operating profit increase came from the consolidation of the operating
results of the Czech and Indian carbon black businesses during 1996. The
positive earnings effect of higher prices was essentially offset by increased
spending on research and development and marketing costs related to new product,
new business and market development initiatives, the effect of 1% lower overall
volumes, and higher feedstock costs.

     Generally, year-to-year price improvements were greater early in 1996
because price increases had gone into effect at different times during 1995. As
1996 progressed, and the anniversary dates of the 1995 price increases occurred,
the year-to-year pricing comparisons became neutral. Pricing pressures occurred
during 1996 in some carbon black markets, most notably in Europe. In the fourth
quarter of 1996, the European carbon black business had an unfavorable price
comparison to the 1995 fourth quarter. Feed stock costs increased during the
latter part of 1996. The Company was not able to pass all of the feedstock cost
increases on to its customers during the fourth quarter. The increased spending
during 1996 in pursuit of new product, new business and market development
initiatives was expected, and progress was made across the various initiatives
in developing the new technologies and markets. A similar level of spending is
anticipated to occur in 1997 on those initiatives and other new ones* (see page
24). These new product and new business initiatives are integral to the
Company's long-term earnings growth strategy. Although the Company is very
encouraged by the progress made during 1996 on those initiatives as a group,
they are not expected to contribute significantly to the Company's 1997
revenues.

     The carbon black business's total sales for 1995 increased significantly
compared to 1994. Each of the four geographic regions had revenue increases of
more than 15%. The increase resulted from strength in the North American and
South American tire and automotive industries, a full year's effect of economic
recovery in Europe, and growing economies in the Pacific region. During most of
1995, worldwide carbon black manufacturing capacity was extremely tight. Prices,
most notably in North America, and gross margins increased during the year.
Operating profit reflected the improved prices that more than offset higher raw
material costs.

     During 1995, the Company entered into long-term carbon black supply
agreements of more than six years with several of its tire customers in North
America. The contracts were designed to share the Company's investment risks of
capacity expansion with customers, which, in turn, will allow Cabot to provide a
secure carbon black supply to its contract customers, and reduce the volatility
of the Company's carbon black gross margins and earnings. These contracts,
coupled with the Company's long-term strategy of product differentiation, are
aimed at building a less cyclical carbon black business and reducing the
Company's susceptibility 
                                                                             21

<PAGE>   6


to economic cycles. As a result of these contracts, the Company has proceeded
with its plans to add manufacturing capacity to its North American tire black
business in order to meet the increasing supply obligations reflected by the
contracts.

     The Cab-O-Sil fumed silica business reported a 3% revenue increase in 1996
compared with 1995, and a 19% revenue gain in 1995 compared with 1994. The 1996
revenue increase was primarily due to higher treated grade volumes. Operating
profit increased 9% in 1996 compared with 1995 due to higher gross margins,
partially offset by increased spending supporting a new market segmentation
strategy. Operating profit increased in 1995, reflecting modest volume growth,
improved product mix and favorable gross margins from better pricing and higher
capacity utilization.

     During 1995, the Company purchased certain assets of the Rippey Corporation
related to the sale and distribution of high-purity polishing compounds in an
effort to further expand the rapidly developing semiconductor segment of the
fumed silica business. During 1996, the semiconductor segment was organized as a
separate business unit. It is now known as the Microelectronics Materials
Division (MMD). During 1996, this business reported revenues in excess of $20
million. Gross margin derived from MMD's revenues was more than offset by its
spending on research and development and market development initiatives. The
Company expects continued significant revenue growth in this business during
1997* (see page 24).

     In the plastics business, revenues and operating profit in 1996 were down
from 1995 by 10% and 42%, respectively. Market demand softness resulted in lower
volumes and caused severe pricing pressure during 1996. Also, raw material
prices were higher in 1996 than in 1995. The lower volumes, lower prices and
higher raw material costs caused the decrease in operating profit in 1996
compared with 1995. The plastics business's revenues and operating profit
increased significantly in 1995 compared to 1994. Market conditions that began
to improve in late 1994 continued improving into 1995, enabling the business to
improve gross margins through higher pricing and an improved product mix.
Overall volumes for the business were down slightly year-over-year, reflecting
some softening in Europe late in 1995.

     Revenues of the Cabot Performance Materials (CPM) business in 1996
increased 6% from the prior year, and operating profit decreased 19% from 1995.
Over the first half of 1996, volumes and prices were significantly higher than
in the first six months of 1995. By mid-1996, it became apparent that the U.S.
electronics market's growth rate had slowed. CPM's customers at that time had
excessive inventory levels for the lower market growth rate. During the second
half of the year, CPM's sales volumes decreased very significantly as its
customers worked their inventory levels down. During the fourth quarter, CPM
began taking steps to reduce its cost structure and refocus the business. The
Company expects the business's operating results for the first two quarters of
1997 to compare unfavorably to the very strong first two quarters of 1996* (see
page 24). The Division's 1997 operating results will be driven in large part by
the timing of Cabot's customers working through their inventory surplus and the
timing and extent of an electronics industry recovery as a whole. CPM reported a
15% increase in revenues and an even greater increase in profits in 1995 versus
1994. The improved results reflected strong performance of the tantalum
capacitor business, partially offset by plant operating problems, primarily
yield and throughput issues.

     During 1996, the Company launched a new business unit, Cabot Specialty
Fluids (CSF), to develop and market cesium brines to the oil well drilling and
services industry. Construction of a cesium processing plant at a mine owned by
a Cabot subsidiary in Manitoba, Canada, was commenced during the year.

     In 1995, the Company restructured the ownership of its safety and specialty
composite materials business into a new corporation owned by the Company, Vestar
Equity Partners and the management of the newly formed Cabot Safety Corporation.
The transaction yielded approximately $128 million in after-tax proceeds to the
Company. Cabot has a 42.5% ownership position in the new corporation. During
1996, Cabot Safety Corporation's name was changed to Aearo Corporation. The
performance of the business prior to the sale of the majority interest was
included as part of the Specialty Chemicals and Materials Group. The Company now
accounts for this affiliate using the equity method. Aearo had no effect on
Cabot's 1996 earnings. During the first three quarters of fiscal 1995, Cabot
Safety Corporation reported a 26% increase in operating profit over the first
three quarters of 1994, due primarily to higher volumes. The Company's safety
business recorded approximately $155 million of sales and $17 million of
operating profit in fiscal 1995 prior to the transaction.

THE ENERGY GROUP
The Energy Group included two operating businesses during 1996: Cabot LNG
Corporation and its affiliates, a liquefied natural gas importing, storing,
transporting and marketing operation; and TUCO INC., a coal fuel services
business.

     Effective September 30, 1996, the Company sold TUCO for $77 million ($27
million in cash plus the repayment of $50 million of TUCO debt by the buyer),
plus $8 million of working capital adjustments. During 1996, TUCO earned $13.8
million of operating profit, compared with $10.5 million in 1995.

     Until July 1994, the Company owned a 34.4% interest in American Oil and Gas
Corporation (AOG), which was reflected in "equity in net income of affiliated
companies." At that time, AOG was merged into a subsidiary of K N Energy, Inc.
(KNE), and Cabot became a 17% beneficial owner, including warrants, of KNE. The
Company's investment in KNE is accounted for on a cost basis. In July 1996, the
Company sold 1.85 million shares of its investment in KNE, and received cash
proceeds of $57.6 million. The Company currently holds a 9.7% ownership interest
in KNE.

     The LNG business reported revenues of $143.8 million in 1996, compared with
$91.4 million in 1995. The revenue increase was due to significantly greater
volumes and higher gas prices compared with 1995. The business received nine LNG
cargoes from its Algerian supplier in 



22

<PAGE>   7


[BAR CHART: SOURCES AND USES OF CASH]

Fiscal years 1995, 1996 ($ millions)

SOURCES OF CASH                                         95              96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- Operations                                          $182            $162
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- Borrowings, net                                       --            $138
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- Sales of Assets                                     $170            $ 60
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- Other                                                 --            $ 11
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

USES OF CASH                                            95              96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- Capital Expenditures and Investments                $145            $269
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- Share Repurchase, net                               $ 57            $ 95
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- Debt Repayments, net                                $114              --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -- Dividends                                           $ 26            $ 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$450

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$300

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$150

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    95                      96


1996, and one cargo from a United Arab Emirates source. The business received
three cargoes during 1995. Operating profit increased to $9.1 million during
1996, from $2.1 million during 1995. The 1996 operating profit increase included
$5.8 million of special items. The positive earnings effect of higher volumes
and prices was about offset by higher gas costs. In 1995, the LNG business's
revenue and profit were negatively affected by reduced supplies of LNG caused by
the refurbishment of the liquefaction facilities of the Company's Algerian
supplier. The negative effect of the supply curtailments was reduced by the
purchase of available domestic gas supplies at competitive prices and the effect
of an unseasonably warm winter in the northeastern United States during 1995.

FINANCIAL CONDITION 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOW AND LIQUIDITY 
Cash generated in 1996 from the Company's operating activities decreased 16.5%
to $151.9 million from $182.0 million in 1995. The decrease primarily resulted
from the timing of tax payments, partially offset by less of an increase in
working capital in 1996 compared with 1995.

     Capital spending on property, plant and equipment was $209 million in 1996,
$131 million in 1995, and $74 million in 1994. The increased spending in 1996
included costs associated with capacity expansions at the Company's Indonesian
carbon black businesses, capacity expansions and environmental compliance in the
Company's North American carbon black operations and capital expenditures
associated with the performance materials business and the newly formed
microelectronics materials and specialty fluids businesses.

     The Company expects the elevated rate of capital spending to continue
through 1997 as it continues to invest in new business opportunities. These
expenditures include portions of the projects mentioned previously, the
Company's share of the Trinidad LNG project, completion of a cesium processing
plant, additional environmental compliance costs in North America and amounts to
further develop the special blacks business. Over the next several years, as the
remediation of various environmental sites continues, the Company also expects
to spend a significant portion of its $44.5 million reserve for costs associated
with such remediation. These sites are primarily associated with divested
businesses.

     The Company acquired an 80% ownership interest in P.T. Continental Carbon
Indonesia, an Indonesian carbon black plant, for approximately $50 million plus
the assumption of $9 million of debt during 1996.

[CHART: TOTAL DEBT TO CAPTIAL]

(percent)

                                        92      93      94      95      96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Debt to Capital                 51.5%   50.4%    42.1%   29.1%   39.9%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
60%

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40%

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20%

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        92      93      94      95      96


     Research and technical service spending was $79.6 million, $59.2 million,
and $48.7 million in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Spending as a percentage
of Specialty Chemicals and Materials sales exceeded 5% in 1996 and was 4% in
each of the two previous years. The Company has been increasing the amount of
spending to develop new, differentiated products for its specialty chemicals
businesses. The Company anticipates research and development spending to remain
near $80 million in 1997 for these and other initiatives.

     Cabot sold 1.85 million shares of K N Energy, Inc. during 1996, and
received cash proceeds of $57.6 million.

     Cabot increased its borrowings by $138.2 million and decreased cash by
$32.6 million in 1996.

     During 1996, $123.5 million of common stock was purchased and is held as
treasury stock. The Company's common stock repurchase activity is described
below under "Common Stock," and is expected to continue in 1997.

     Primarily due to the increased capital spending, share repurchase and
higher spending on research and development and marketing costs for new product,
new business and market development initiatives during 1996, the ratio of total
debt (including short-term debt net of cash) to capital increased to 40% at the
end of 1996 from 29% at the end of 1995. The Company does not anticipate a
substantial increase in the ratio of total debt to capital in 1997.

     Management expects cash from operations, proceeds from the TUCO sale, and
present financing arrangements, including the Company's unused line of credit of
$250 million, to be sufficient to meet the Company's cash requirements for the
foreseeable future.


                                                                             23

<PAGE>   8


COMMON STOCK
In September 1995, the Company announced that it had begun a new share
repurchase program for up to 3 million of its common shares in order to reduce
the total number of shares outstanding. During the first two quarters of 1996,
the Company repurchased approximately 1,870,000 shares in open market
transactions. The Company effected a two-for-one stock split in the form of a
stock dividend during March 1996. During the third quarter, the Company's Board
of Directors revoked the repurchase authorization with respect to shares not
already repurchased under the September 1995 share repurchase authorization, and
approved a share repurchase authorization for up to 4 million shares of the
Company's common stock. During the remainder of 1996, the Company repurchased
approximately 736,000 shares in open market transactions.

     During 1996, the Company paid cash dividends of $0.54 per share reflecting
a quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share for the first two quarters of the year,
and $0.09 per share for each of the two quarters following the two-for-one stock
split. The book value per share of Cabot stock increased 14% to $10.41 at
September 30, 1996. In November 1996, the Board of Directors approved a $0.10
per share dividend for the first quarter of fiscal year 1997.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
At September 30, 1994, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115, "Accounting for Certain
Investments in Debt and Equity Securities." Upon adoption, the Company recorded
an unrealized gain on marketable securities available for sale of $46.4 million.
The gain was recorded as a separate component of stockholders' equity, net of a
deferred tax liability of $17.6 million.

     The Company considers the impairment of long-lived assets, in accordance
with the provisions of SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets", based on the assets' ability to contribute to the Company's
profitability. No earnings charges have resulted from the Company's adoption of
SFAS No. 121.

     The Company has not adopted SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation," which is required to be adopted by fiscal 1997. The Company
intends to continue to record compensation based on the provisions of Accounting
Principles Board Opinion 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" as
allowed by SFAS No. 123. Although the Company has not determined the ultimate
impact of adopting SFAS No. 123, it does not believe, based on the number of
stock options previously granted, that the adoption will have a material effect
on the Company's current financial position or results of operations. 

* FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cabot Corporation believes that its shareholders benefit from the views of the
Company's management about the future of the Company's business. Included herein
are statements relating to management's projections of future profits, the
Company's financial goals, and management's expectations for the Company's
product development program. Actual results may differ materially from the
results anticipated in the statements included herein due to a variety of
factors including market supply and demand conditions, cost of raw materials,
demand for our customers' products and our competitors' reactions to market
conditions. Timely commercialization of products under development by the
Company may be disrupted or delayed by technical difficulties, market
acceptance, competitors' new products, as well as difficulties in moving from
the experimental stage to the production stage. The Company's process
improvement program may not achieve its intended results in the time frame
anticipated in its projections due to technological difficulties, disruption of
operating efficiency and the stress production demands place on implementing the
process improvement program.


24

<PAGE>   9

<TABLE>

CABOT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                       Years ended September 30
                                                                                 ----------        ----------        ----------
Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts                                         1996              1995              1994
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------        ----------        ----------
<S>                                                                              <C>               <C>               <C>       
Revenues:

    Net sales and other operating revenues ...................................   $1,856,269        $1,830,393        $1,679,819
    Interest and dividend income .............................................        8,933            10,492             6,742
                                                                                 ----------        ----------        ----------
         Total revenues ......................................................    1,865,202         1,840,885         1,686,561
                                                                                 ==========        ==========        ==========

Costs and expenses:

    Cost of sales ............................................................    1,309,992         1,258,964         1,234,272
    Selling and administrative expenses ......................................      206,861           234,693           222,069
    Research and technical service ...........................................       79,640            59,184            48,701
    Interest expense (Note G) ................................................       41,718            35,639            41,668
    Gain on resolution of matters from divested energy businesses (Note B) ...           --                --           (10,210)
    Gain on sale of equity securities (Note D) ...............................      (28,323)               --                --
    Gain on sales of businesses (Note B) .....................................      (38,941)          (32,625)               --
    Other charges, net .......................................................       14,421            29,001            31,736
                                                                                 ----------        ----------        ----------
         Total costs and expenses ............................................    1,585,368         1,584,856         1,568,236
                                                                                 ==========        ==========        ==========

Income before income taxes ...................................................      279,834           256,029           118,325
Provision for income taxes (Note K) ..........................................      (98,216)         (101,080)          (44,963)
Equity in net income of affiliated companies (Note D) ........................       18,519            16,670             5,329
Minority interest ............................................................       (6,080)              313                --
                                                                                 ----------        ----------        ----------
         Net income ..........................................................      194,057           171,932            78,691
                                                                                 ==========        ==========        ==========
Dividends on preferred stock, net of tax
    benefit of $2,111, $1,911 and $1,929 .....................................       (3,301)           (3,551)           (3,583)
                                                                                 ----------        ----------        ----------
         Income applicable to common shares ..................................   $  190,756        $  168,381        $   75,108
                                                                                 ==========        ==========        ==========
Weighted average common shares outstanding, in thousands (Notes A and I):
    Primary ..................................................................       73,237            77,452            76,498
    Fully diluted ............................................................       79,345            83,880            82,724
Income per common share (Notes A and I):
    Primary ..................................................................   $     2.60        $     2.17        $     0.98
                                                                                 ==========        ==========        ==========
    Fully diluted ............................................................   $     2.42        $     2.02        $     0.92
                                                                                 ==========        ==========        ==========
</TABLE>

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


                                                                             25
<PAGE>   10

<TABLE>


CABOT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

<CAPTION>

                                                                             September 30
                                                             ----------------------------
Dollars in thousands                                               1996              1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------      -----------
<S>                                                          <C>               <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents ............................   $   58,148        $   90,792
    Accounts and notes receivable (net of reserve for
      doubtful accounts of $5,267 and $5,207) ............      363,763           292,777
    Inventories (Note C) .................................      260,430           253,110
    Prepaid expenses .....................................       17,408            13,499
    Deferred income taxes (Note K) .......................       10,034            27,681
                                                             ----------        ----------
      Total current assets ...............................      709,783           677,859
                                                             ----------        ----------
Investments:
    Equity (Notes B and D) ...............................       79,372            98,866
    Other (Notes D and L) ................................       95,680           119,866
                                                             ----------        ----------
      Total investments ..................................      175,052           218,732
                                                             ----------        ----------
Property, plant and equipment (Note E) ...................    1,712,045         1,447,653
Accumulated depreciation and amortization ................     (809,053)         (741,132)
                                                             ----------        ----------
      Net property, plant and equipment ..................      902,992           706,521
                                                             ----------        ----------
Other assets:
    Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization
      of $6,157 and $3,396) (Note B) .....................       42,735            13,922
    Deferred income taxes (Note K) .......................        2,402             6,949
    Other assets .........................................       24,617            30,350
                                                             ----------        ----------
      Total other assets .................................       69,754            51,221
                                                             ----------        ----------
Total assets .............................................   $1,857,581        $1,654,333
                                                             ==========        ==========
</TABLE>


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


26

<PAGE>   11

<TABLE>


CABOT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

<CAPTION>

                                                                                                              September 30
                                                                                            ------------------------------
Dollars in thousands                                                                              1996                1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------          ----------
<S>                                                                                         <C>                 <C>       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
    Notes payable to banks ............................................................     $  233,779          $   52,437
    Current portion of long-term debt (Note G) ........................................         16,175              15,709
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note F) .................................        250,749             260,879
    U.S. and foreign income taxes .....................................................         26,083              69,286
    Deferred income taxes (Note K) ....................................................            918               4,068
                                                                                            ----------          ----------
      Total current liabilities .......................................................        527,704             402,379
                                                                                            ----------          ----------

Long-term debt (Note G) ...............................................................        321,497             306,443
Deferred income taxes (Note K) ........................................................         88,320             100,353
Other liabilities (Notes J and L) .....................................................        147,991             152,747

Commitments and contingencies (Note L)


Minority interest .....................................................................         27,138               7,411

Stockholders' equity (Notes D, G, I and J):

Preferred stock:
    Authorized: 2,000,000 shares of $1 par value
      Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock
          Issued and outstanding: none
      Series B ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock 7.75% Cumulative
          Issued: 75,336 shares (aggregate redemption value of $71,193 and $72,479) ...         75,336              75,336

Less cost of shares of preferred treasury stock .......................................         (6,565)             (4,836)

Common stock:
    Authorized: 200,000,000 and 80,000,000 shares of $1 par value
    Issued: 135,549,936 and 67,774,968 shares .........................................        135,550              67,775

Additional paid-in capital ............................................................         23,618              17,799

Retained earnings .....................................................................      1,176,708           1,062,482

Less cost of common treasury stock
    (including unearned compensation amounts of $16,611 and $10,834) ..................       (650,981)           (539,585)

Deferred employee benefits ............................................................        (64,283)            (65,907)

Unrealized gain on marketable securities ..............................................         29,874              32,023

Foreign currency translation adjustments ..............................................         25,674              39,913
                                                                                            ----------          ----------
    Total stockholders' equity ........................................................        744,931             685,000
                                                                                            ----------          ----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ............................................     $1,857,581          $1,654,333
                                                                                            ==========          ==========

</TABLE>


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


                                                                             27

<PAGE>   12


<TABLE>

CABOT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

<CAPTION>

                                                                                                 Years ended September 30
                                                                                -----------------------------------------
Dollars in thousands                                                                 1996            1995            1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       ---------        --------
<S>                                                                             <C>             <C>              <C>     
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income ................................................................     $ 194,057       $ 171,932        $ 78,691

Adjustments to reconcile net income
    to cash provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization .......................................        97,044          94,184          87,357
      Deferred tax expense (benefit) ......................................         3,785         (24,163)         27,084
      Gain on sales of equity securities ..................................       (28,323)             --              --
      Gain on sales of businesses .........................................       (38,941)        (32,625)             --
      Equity in income of affiliated companies, net
          of dividends received ...........................................        (5,619)         (6,292)            309
      Other, net ..........................................................         8,950           6,694           5,750
    Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding assets and liabilities of
      businesses sold:
          Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable ......................            88         (37,354)         (3,042)
          Increase in inventories .........................................       (38,995)        (57,987)        (13,688)
          Decrease in accounts payable and accruals .......................        (3,415)         (6,905)        (27,862)
          Other, net ......................................................       (36,693)         74,477         (10,832)
                                                                                ---------       ---------        --------
    Cash provided by operating activities .................................       151,938         181,961         143,767
                                                                                =========       =========        ========

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Additions to property, plant and equipment ................................      (209,061)       (131,214)        (73,555)
Proceeds on sales of businesses ...........................................            --         169,178              --
Sales of property, plant and equipment, and investments ...................        60,449             373             545
Investments and acquisitions, excluding cash acquired .....................       (59,542)        (13,874)           (371)
Cash from consolidation of equity affiliates and other ....................        11,229              --              --
                                                                                ---------       ---------        --------
    Cash provided (used) by investing activities ..........................      (196,925)         24,463         (73,381)
                                                                                =========       =========        ========

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from long-term debt ..............................................         9,786          17,385           1,189
Repayments of long-term debt ..............................................       (40,153)       (157,609)        (41,584)
Net increase in short-term debt ...........................................       168,587          25,980          24,979
Purchases of treasury stock ...............................................      (123,544)        (76,251)         (1,000)
Sales and issuances of treasury stock .....................................        28,580          19,658           8,703
Cash dividends paid to stockholders .......................................       (30,478)        (26,392)        (23,552)
                                                                                ---------       ---------        --------
    Cash provided (used) by financing activities ..........................        12,778        (197,229)        (31,265)
                                                                                =========       =========        ========

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash ...................................          (435)            680           1,529
                                                                                ---------       ---------        --------
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents ..........................       (32,644)          9,875          40,650
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year ............................        90,792          80,917          40,267
                                                                                ---------       ---------        --------
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of year ..............................     $  58,148       $  90,792        $ 80,917
                                                                                =========       =========        ========
</TABLE>


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


28

<PAGE>   13

CABOT CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

A. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles. The significant accounting policies of
the Company are described below.

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cabot Corporation
and majority-owned and controlled domestic and foreign subsidiaries. Investments
in majority-owned affiliates where control does not exist and investments in 20
percent to 50 percent-owned affiliates are accounted for on the equity method.
Intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

CASH EQUIVALENTS
For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Company considers all time
deposits and short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less at
time of purchase to be cash equivalents.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
Substantially all assets and liabilities of the Company's foreign operations are
translated at year-end exchange rates. Revenues and expenses are translated at
the weighted average rates during the year. Foreign currency gains and losses
arising from transactions are reflected in net income. Balance sheet translation
gains and losses are reflected as a separate component of stockholders' equity.

INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of most domestic
inventories is determined using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. The cost
of other domestic and all foreign inventories is determined using the average
cost method or the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. For financial reporting
purposes, depreciation of property, plant and equipment is calculated using
primarily the straight-line method based on estimated economic lives of 3 to 25
years.

EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per share is computed on the basis of weighted average shares
outstanding during each year. Fully diluted earnings per share considers
conversion of the Company's Series B ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock held by
the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (Note H) and shares issuable under
the Company's incentive compensation plans (Note J).

INCOME TAXES
Deferred income taxes are provided based on the estimated future tax effects of
differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of
existing assets and liabilities. Provisions are made for the U.S. income tax
liability and additional foreign taxes on the undistributed earnings of foreign
subsidiaries, except for amounts the Company has designated to be permanently
reinvested (Note K).

INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets are comprised of the cost of business acquisitions in excess
of the fair value assigned to the net tangible assets acquired and the costs of
technology, licenses and patents purchased in business acquisitions. The excess
of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired is amortized on the
straight-line basis over either 40 years or an estimated useful life, whichever
is shorter. Other intangibles are amortized over their estimated useful lives.
The Company considers the impairment of long-lived assets, in accordance with
the provisions of SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-lived
Assets," based on an assessment of the asset's ability to contribute to the
profitability of the Company. Included in other charges is amortization expense
of $4,765,000, $6,638,000 and $7,661,000, in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts and currency options are used to
manage foreign currency exposures. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on
these contracts are recorded in net income currently, with the exception of
gains or losses on contracts designated to hedge a net investment, which are
recorded as translation adjustments, and currency options, which are designated
to hedge future cash flows. Included in other charges are foreign exchange gains
(losses) of $(2,578,000), $1,354,000 and $(1,713,000) in 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively.

     Financial instruments, primarily interest rate swaps, are used to manage
interest rate risks. The interest differentials from these swaps are recorded as
interest expense.

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

RECLASSIFICATION
Certain amounts in 1995 and 1994 have been reclassified to conform to the 1996
presentation.


                                                                             29

<PAGE>   14


B. ACQUISITIONS, DIVESTITURES & RESTRUCTURING
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPECIALTY CHEMICALS AND MATERIALS
On February 16, 1996, the Company acquired an 80% controlling interest in an
Indonesian carbon black company which is accounted for as a purchase. The
acquisition cost was approximately $50 million plus the assumption of $9 million
of debt and is subject to final adjustments. Although the purchase accounting
for this acquisition is not final, assets and liabilities have been recorded at
estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair
values is being amortized over 30 years. Results of operations, subsequent to
the acquisition date, have been included in the Consolidated Statement of Income
as of September 30, 1996.

     During 1996, 1995 and 1994, the Company paid $4,270,000, $6,079,000 and
$17,890,000, respectively, of costs accrued for in 1993 for employee separation
and a facility closing. During 1994, the Company revised its restructuring
reserve based on the actual costs incurred during the closing of a carbon black
plant in Europe. A $4,000,000 benefit from the revision of the reserve was
recorded in other charges in 1994. The Company will continue to evaluate its
remaining reserve of $9,125,000 as new data become available, primarily relating
to the final disposition of the closed plant's assets and environmental cleanup
costs.

     On July 11, 1995, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of its
safety products and specialty composites business to Cabot Safety Holdings
Corporation (now known as Aearo Corporation) and its subsidiaries. The
transaction was accounted for as a sale, with an aggregate selling price
consisting of $169,178,000 in cash, 42,500 common shares of Aearo Corporation,
representing 42.5% of Aearo's outstanding common stock, and $22,500,000 of
Aearo's non-voting 12.5% preferred stock. In addition, Aearo Corporation and
its subsidiaries assumed approximately $22,176,000 of the third party current
liabilities relating to the safety business and approximately $4,822,000 in
debt. The Company recorded an after-tax gain on the sale of approximately
$14,500,000. The Company's book value in Aearo's common and preferred stock
after the transaction was zero dollars. The Company accounts for its investment
in Aearo using the equity method.

     During 1994, the Company recorded a $6,150,000 charge to write off its
investment in its Japanese carbon black equity affiliate due to significant
ongoing losses which were expected to continue.

ENERGY
Effective September 30, 1996, the Company sold its TUCO subsidiary for
$77,000,000 ($27,000,000 in cash plus the repayment of $50,000,000 of TUCO debt
by the buyer), plus working capital adjustments of $8,000,000. The Company
recorded a gain related to the sale of $38,941,000. The cash receipt and debt
repayment occurred on October 4, 1996.

        During 1994, the Company recognized gains of $10,210,000, respectively,
on the favorable resolution of certain matters related to divested energy
businesses, which included settlement of the Company's last significant
take-or-pay case in 1994.

<TABLE>

C. INVENTORIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inventories were as follows:
<CAPTION>

                                                           September 30
                                              --------------------------
Dollars in thousands                              1996             1995
- ------------------------------------------------------        ---------
<S>                                           <C>             <C>      
Raw materials ...........................     $ 71,061        $  64,830

Work in process .........................       72,914           47,058

Finished goods ..........................       72,163           97,597

Other ...................................       44,292           43,625
                                              --------         --------
    Total ...............................     $260,430         $253,110
                                              ========         ========
</TABLE>

     Inventories valued under the LIFO method comprised approximately 33 percent
and 37 percent of 1996 and 1995 total inventory, respectively. The estimated
current cost of these inventories exceeded their stated valuation determined on
the LIFO basis by $29,754,000 and $27,393,000 at September 30, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.

D. INVESTMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments in net assets of affiliated companies accounted for under the equity
method amounted to $79,372,000 and $98,866,000 at September 30, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.

<TABLE>

     The combined results of operations and financial position of the Company's
equity-basis affiliates are summarized below:
<CAPTION>

                                                     Years ended September 30
                                                     ------------------------
Dollars in thousands                                       1996          1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------      --------

<S>                                                    <C>           <C>     
CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENT INFORMATION

Net sales ..........................................   $586,951      $435,806

Gross margin .......................................    221,060       120,130

Net income .........................................     39,685        32,462

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION

Current assets .....................................   $282,945      $257,941

Non-current assets .................................    432,738       454,877

Current liabilities ................................    255,344       269,852

Non-current liabilities ............................    315,564       247,150

Net worth ..........................................    144,775       195,816
                                                       --------      --------
</TABLE>

On July 31, 1996, the Company sold 1.85 million shares of its investment in K N
Energy, Inc. The Company received cash proceeds of $57,646,000 and recorded a
gain of $28,323,000 related to the sale.

     On October 1, 1995, the Company changed the method of accounting for its
Czech and Indian carbon black affiliates from the equity method to the
consolidated method upon achieving effective control.


30

<PAGE>   15



     After July 11, 1995, the condensed income statement and balance sheet
information of Aearo Corporation (Note B) are included in the amounts above.

        In accordance with SFAS No. 115, equity securities with readily
determinable fair values have been reflected on the balance sheet at their fair
values. Unrealized gains of $29,874,000 and $32,023,000, which are net of
deferred tax liabilities of $19,100,000 and $18,807,000, have been reflected as
a separate component of stockholders' equity (Note I) at September 30, 1996 and
1995, respectively.

<TABLE>

E. PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, plant and equipment is summarized as follows:
<CAPTION>

                                                                    September 30
                                                    ----------------------------
Dollars in thousands                                      1996              1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------        ----------

<S>                                                 <C>               <C>       
Land and improvements ...........................   $   52,442        $   49,435

Buildings .......................................      267,579           242,374

Machinery and equipment .........................    1,105,326           990,521

Other ...........................................       47,089            70,019

Construction in progress ........................      239,609            95,304
                                                    ----------        ----------
Total property, plant and equipment .............   $1,712,045        $1,447,653

Less: accumulated depreciation ..................      809,053           741,132
                                                    ----------        ----------
Net property, plant and equipment ...............   $  902,992        $  706,521
                                                    ==========        ==========
</TABLE>


<TABLE>

F. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE & ACCRUED LIABILITIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consisted of the following:
<CAPTION>

                                                                   September 30
                                                       ------------------------
Dollars in thousands                                       1996            1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------        --------
<S>                                                    <C>             <C>     
Accounts payable ................................      $121,274        $107,003

Accrued employee compensation ...................        23,263          25,984

Other accrued liabilities .......................       106,212         127,892
                                                       --------        --------
    Total .......................................      $250,749        $260,879
                                                       ========        ========
</TABLE>

<TABLE>

G. DEBT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt consisted of the following:
<CAPTION>

                                                                   September 30
                                                       ------------------------
Dollars in thousands                                       1996            1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------        --------
<S>                                                    <C>             <C>     
Notes due December 1997, 10.25% ....................   $100,000        $100,000

Notes due 2002-2022, 8.07% .........................    105,000         105,000

Guarantee of ESOP notes
    due 2013, 8.29% ................................     64,283          65,907

Term loan due 2000, 8.7% ...........................     13,127          16,385

Term loan due 2001, 8.4% ...........................     12,540              --

Foreign term loan, due 2001, 5.4% ..................     15,768              --

Overseas Private Investment Corporation 
    term loan due 2002, floating rate, 8.0%
    and 6.5% at September 30, 1996 and
    1995, respectively .............................     16,182          13,100

Industrial Revenue Bonds due
    1997-2014, 9.35%-14.00% ........................      4,000           4,000

Other, including foreign term loans ................      6,772          17,760
                                                       --------        --------
                                                       $337,672        $322,152
Less: current portion of
    long-term debt .................................    (16,175)        (15,709)
                                                       --------        --------
      Total ........................................   $321,497         306,443
                                                       ========        ========
</TABLE>


     In June 1992, the Company filed a $300,000,000 debt shelf registration
statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Subsequently,
$105,000,000 of notes payable were refinanced with notes of a weighted average
maturity of 19 years and a weighted average interest rate of 8.07%. The notes
were issued at par and provide for principal to be repaid at maturity.

     During fiscal 1989, the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
borrowed $75,000,000 from an institutional lender in order to finance its
purchase of 75,000 shares of the Company's Series B ESOP Convertible Preferred
Stock. This debt bears interest at 8.29% per annum, and is to be repaid in equal
quarterly installments through December 31, 2013. The Company, as guarantor, has
reflected the outstanding balance of $64,283,000 as a liability on the Company's
consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 1996. An equal amount, representing
deferred employee benefits, has been recorded as a reduction of stockholders'
equity (Note I).

     The Company may borrow up to $250,000,000 at floating rates under the terms
of a revolving credit and term loan facility. The agreement contains provisions
regarding minimum net worth requirements and certain indebtedness limitations
which would limit the amount available for future borrowings. Commitment fees
are paid based on the used and unused portions of the facility. The facility is
available through January 13, 2000. No amounts were outstanding under this
credit agreement at September 30, 1996 or 1995.


                                                                             31

<PAGE>   16


The aggregate principal amounts of long-term debt due in each of the five fiscal
years 1997 through 2001 are $16,175,000, $112,338,000, $12,727,000, $10,704,000
and $7,119,000, respectively.

     Based primarily on dealer quotes, the fair value of long-term borrowings
was approximately $355,000,000 and $353,000,000 at September 30, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.

     The weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowing was
approximately 8% and 7% as of September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

     Cash paid for interest during 1996, 1995 and 1994 totalled $39,103,000,
$37,912,000 and $41,663,000, respectively.

<TABLE>

H. PENSION PLANS & POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENSION PLANS

Net periodic pension cost was comprised of the following elements:
<CAPTION>


                                                                                   Years ended September 30
                                                                     --------------------------------------
Dollars in thousands                                                     1996           1995           1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------       --------       --------
<S>                                                                  <C>            <C>            <C>     
Current year service cost ........................................   $  7,841       $  7,629       $  8,090

Interest accrued on pension obligations ..........................     13,431         12,493         11,675

Actual return on plan assets .....................................    (18,821)       (25,320)       (11,431)

Net amortization .................................................      2,903         10,606         (2,062)
                                                                     --------       --------       --------
        Net periodic pension cost ................................   $  5,354       $  5,408       $  6,272
                                                                     ========       ========       ========

<CAPTION>

The following table sets forth the funded status of pension plans:

                                                                                               September 30
                                                                                    -----------------------
Dollars in thousands                                                                    1996           1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       --------

<S>                                                                                 <C>            <C>     
Actuarial present value of projected benefit obligations .........................  $188,092       $182,771

Plan assets at fair value (primarily fixed-income and equity securities) .........   202,526        187,339
                                                                                    --------       --------

Excess of plan assets over projected benefit obligations .........................    14,434          4,568

Unrecognized net gain ............................................................   (33,207)       (19,012)

Unrecognized prior service cost ..................................................     7,656          3,512

Unrecognized net asset being amortized over 16 years .............................    (5,612)        (6,013)
                                                                                    --------       --------
        Net deferred pension credit (included in other liabilities) ..............  $(16,729)      $(16,945)
                                                                                    ========       ======== 
</TABLE>

     The Company has trusteed, non-contributory pension plans covering most
employees in the United States and certain foreign subsidiaries. Benefits
provided under the Company's defined benefit pension plans are primarily based
on years of service and the employee's compensation. The Company's funding
policy is to contribute annually amounts based upon actuarial and economic
assumptions designed to achieve adequate funding of projected benefit
obligations.

     Pension benefits accrue under several benefit plans, including the
following two plans: the Cash Balance Plan (CBP), a defined benefit pension
plan, and the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). In November 1988, the ESOP
was funded with the Company's newly issued Series B ESOP Convertible Preferred
Stock, which was acquired with $75,000,000 borrowed by the ESOP (Notes G and I).

     At September 30, 1996 and 1995, the projected benefit obligations included
accumulated benefit obligations of $164,067,000 and $152,422,000, respectively,
of which $154,553,000 and $142,296,000 were vested in 1996 and 1995,
respectively.

     Effective June 30, 1996, the Company changed its measurement date from
September 30 to June 30. The cumulative impact of this change was determined to
be immaterial. Therefore, no cumulative adjustment has been made as of September
30, 1996.

<TABLE>

     The following weighted average rates were used in the calculations:
<CAPTION>

                                                       Years ended September 30
                                                       ------------------------
                                                          1996             1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------             ----
<S>                                                       <C>              <C>
Discount rate .........................................   7.4%             7.3%

Expected rate of return on plan
    assets ............................................   8.9%             8.9%

Assumed rate of increase in
    compensation ......................................   5.0%             5.1%
                                                          ----             ----
</TABLE>


32
<PAGE>   17
POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
The Company has defined benefit postretirement plans that provide certain health
care and life insurance benefits for retired employees. Substantially all U.S.
employees become eligible for these benefits if they have met certain age and
service requirements at retirement. The Company funds the plans as claims or
insurance premiums are incurred.

<TABLE>

     Net periodic postretirement benefit cost was comprised of the following
elements:
<CAPTION>
                                                        Years ended September 30
                                                       -------------------------
Dollars in thousands                                    1996      1995      1994
- ------------------------------------------------------------    ------    ------
<S>                                                   <C>       <C>       <C>   
Current year service cost ........................... $  848    $  672    $  709

Interest accrued on
    postretirement benefit obligations ..............  5,261     5,301     4,776

Net amortization ....................................    185        --       221
                                                       -----    ------    ------
Net periodic post-retirement benefit
    cost ............................................ $6,294    $5,973    $5,706
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
     The following table sets forth the funded status of the postretirement
benefit plans:
<CAPTION>
                                                                   September 30
                                                            ------------------- 
Dollars in thousands                                            1996       1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------   --------

<S>                                                         <C>        <C>     
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligations:
    Retirees .............................................  $ 58,303   $ 58,526
    Fully eligible active plan participants ..............     6,660      6,262
    Other active plan participants .......................    14,302     13,221
                                                            --------   -------- 
                                                              79,265     78,009
Plan assets at fair value ................................        --         --
                                                            --------   -------- 
Excess of accumulated postretirement
    benefit obligations over plan assets .................   (79,265)   (78,009)

Unrecognized net loss ....................................    10,875     10,749

Unrecognized prior service cost ..........................        82         95
                                                            --------   -------- 
    Accrued postretirement benefit cost
      (included in other liabilities) ....................  $(68,308)  $(67,165)
                                                            ========   ======== 
</TABLE>

     Health care cost trend rate assumptions have a significant effect on the
amounts reported. For example, increasing the assumed health care cost trend
rates by one percentage point in each year would increase the accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation as of September 30, 1996 and 1995 by
approximately $6,900,000 and $6,700,000, respectively, and the aggregate of the
service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost
for the years then ended by approximately $700,000 and $600,000, respectively.

<TABLE>
     The following rates were used in the calculations:

<CAPTION>
                                                      Years ended September 30
                                                      ------------------------
                                                            1996          1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------         -----
<S>                                                         <C>          <C> 
Discount rate ............................................  7.3%          7.0%

Assumed rate of increase in
    compensation .........................................  5.3%          5.3%

Assumed annual rate of increase
    in health care benefits ..............................  9.5%         10.5%

Annual decrease in assumed rate of
    increase in health care benefits .....................  1.0%          1.0%

Assumed ultimate trend rate ..............................  5.3%          5.0%

Assumed ultimate trend rate to be
    reached in year ......................................  2001          2003
                                                            ----          ----
</TABLE>
                                                                             33

<PAGE>   18
<TABLE>

I. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following table summarizes the changes in stockholders' equity for each of
the three years in the period ended September 30, 1996:
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         Years ended September 30
                                                                                          ---------------------------------------
Dollars in thousands                                                                            1996           1995          1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     ----------     ---------
<S>                                                                                       <C>            <C>            <C>      
PREFERRED STOCK
    Beginning of year..............................................................       $   75,336     $   75,336     $  75,336
                                                                                          ----------     ----------     ---------
      End of year..................................................................       $   75,336     $   75,336     $  75,336
                                                                                          ----------     ----------     ---------

PREFERRED TREASURY STOCK
    Beginning of year..............................................................       $   (4,836)    $   (4,003)    $  (3,003)
    Purchase of treasury stock.....................................................           (1,729)          (833)       (1,000)
                                                                                          ----------     ----------     ---------
      End of year..................................................................       $   (6,565)    $   (4,836)    $  (4,003)
                                                                                          ----------     ----------     ---------

COMMON STOCK
    Beginning of year..............................................................       $   67,775     $   67,775     $  33,887
    Two-for-one stock split........................................................           67,775             --        33,888
                                                                                          ----------     ----------     ---------
      End of year..................................................................       $  135,550     $   67,775     $  67,775
                                                                                          ----------     ----------     ---------

ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL
    Beginning of year..............................................................       $   17,799     $    3,783     $  33,621
    Sale of treasury stock to the Company's savings plans..........................            2,456          3,576           633
    Issuance of treasury stock under employee compensation plans, including
      tax benefits of $9,416 in 1996...............................................           21,795         10,440         3,417
    Two-for-one stock split........................................................          (18,432)            --       (33,888)
                                                                                          ----------     ----------     ---------
      End of year..................................................................       $   23,618     $   17,799     $   3,783
                                                                                          ----------     ----------     ---------

RETAINED EARNINGS
    Beginning of year..............................................................       $1,062,482     $  916,942     $ 861,803
    Net income.....................................................................          194,057        171,932        78,691
    Common dividends paid ($0.36, $0.30, $0.27 per share), net of tax
      benefit $549 in 1996.........................................................          (25,347)       (22,841)      (19,969)
    Preferred dividends paid to ESOP, net of tax benefit...........................           (3,301)        (3,551)       (3,583)
    Redemption of preferred stock purchase rights..................................           (1,840)            --            --
    Two-for-one stock split........................................................          (49,343)            --            --
                                                                                          ----------     ----------     ---------
      End of year..................................................................       $1,176,708     $1,062,482     $ 916,942
                                                                                          ----------     ----------     ---------

COMMON TREASURY STOCK
    Beginning of year..............................................................       $ (528,751)    $ (467,171)    $(475,863)
    Purchase of treasury stock.....................................................         (121,815)       (75,418)           --
    Sale of treasury stock to the Company's savings plans..........................            1,372          4,348           625
    Issuance of treasury stock under employee compensation plans...................           14,824          9,490         8,067
                                                                                          ----------     ----------     ---------
      End of year..................................................................       $ (634,370)    $ (528,751)    $(467,171)
                                                                                          ----------     ----------     ---------

UNEARNED COMPENSATION
    Beginning of year..............................................................       $  (10,834)    $   (7,884)    $  (7,321)
    Issuance of treasury stock under employee compensation plans...................          (11,857)        (8,196)       (4,039)
    Amortization...................................................................            6,080          5,246         3,476
                                                                                          ----------     ----------     ---------
      End of year..................................................................         $(16,611)    $  (10,834)    $  (7,884)
                                                                                          ----------     ----------     ---------

DEFERRED EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
    Beginning of year..............................................................       $  (65,907)    $  (67,403)    $ (68,781)
    Principal payment by ESOP under guaranteed loan................................            1,624          1,496         1,378
                                                                                          ----------     ----------     ---------
      End of year..................................................................       $  (64,283)    $  (65,907)    $ (67,403)
                                                                                          ----------     ----------     ---------

UNREALIZED GAIN ON MARKETABLE SECURITIES (NOTE D)
    Beginning of year..............................................................       $   32,023     $   28,787     $      --   
    Net change in unrealized gain..................................................           (2,149)         3,236        28,787
                                                                                          ----------     ----------     ---------
      End of year..................................................................       $   29,874     $   32,023     $  28,787
                                                                                          ----------     ----------     ---------

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENTS
    Beginning of year..............................................................       $   39,913     $   16,327     $  (7,406)
    Foreign currency translation adjustments, including tax benefits 
      of $4,325 in 1996............................................................          (14,239)        23,586        23,733
                                                                                          ----------     ----------     ---------
      End of year..................................................................       $   25,674     $   39,913     $  16,327
                                                                                          ----------     ----------     ---------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY, END OF YEAR............................................       $  744,931     $  685,000     $ 562,489
                                                                                          ==========     ==========     =========
</TABLE>


34

<PAGE>   19

<TABLE>

<CAPTION>

SHARES OF STOCK                                                Years ended September 30

                                        -----------        ----------        ----------
                                               1996              1995              1994
- ---------------------------------------------------        ----------        ----------

<S>                                     <C>                <C>               <C>
PREFERRED STOCK

Beginning of year ....................       75,336            75,336            75,336
                                        -----------        ----------        ----------
    End of year ......................       75,336            75,336            75,336
                                        ===========        ==========        ==========

PREFERRED TREASURY STOCK

Beginning of year ....................        5,036             4,504             3,686
Purchased ............................          708               532               818
                                        -----------        ----------        ----------
    End of year ......................        5,744             5,036             4,504
                                        ===========        ==========        ==========

COMMON STOCK

Beginning of year ....................   67,774,968        67,774,968        33,887,484
Two-for-one stock split ..............   67,774,968                --        33,887,484
                                        -----------        ----------        ----------
    End of year ......................  135,549,936        67,774,968        67,774,968
                                        ===========        ==========        ==========

COMMON TREASURY STOCK

Beginning of year ....................   30,392,967        29,783,722        15,161,103
Purchased ............................    2,949,140         1,525,036
Issued ...............................   (1,440,458)         (915,791)         (278,550)
Two-for-one stock split ..............   32,059,076                --        14,901,169
                                        -----------        ----------        ----------
    End of year ......................   63,960,725        30,392,967        29,783,722
                                        ===========        ==========        ==========
</TABLE>


     In November 1995, the Company declared a dividend of one Preferred Stock
Purchase Right (Right) for each outstanding share of Cabot common stock. The
Rights are not presently exercisable. Each Right entitles the holder, upon the
occurrence of certain specified events, to purchase from Cabot one one-hundredth
of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at a purchase price
of $200 per share. The Rights further provide that each Right will entitle the
holder, upon the occurrence of certain other specified events, to purchase from
Cabot, common stock having a value of twice the exercise price of the Right and,
upon the occurrence of certain other specified events, to purchase from another
person into which Cabot was merged or which acquired 50% or more of Cabot's
assets or earnings power, common stock of such other person having a value of
twice the exercise price of the Right. The Rights may be generally redeemed by
Cabot at a price of $0.01 per Right. The Rights expire on November 10, 2005.

     The Company redeemed the rights issued under the 1986 shareholder rights
plan for a redemption payment equal to $.05 per share, to shareholders of record
on November 24, 1995.

     During fiscal 1989, the Company placed 75,336 shares of its Series B ESOP
Convertible Preferred Stock with the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan
(ESOP) for cash at a price of $1,000 per share. Each share of the Series B ESOP
Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into 87.47 shares of the Company's
common stock subject to certain events and anti-dilution adjustment provisions,
and carries voting rights on an "as converted" basis. The trustee for the ESOP
has the right to cause the Company to redeem shares sufficient to provide for
periodic distributions to plan participants. Such shares shall be redeemed at
their fair market value, and may be redeemed by the Company for cash, shares of
the Company's common stock, or a combination thereof at the Company's option.
Each share is redeemable at the option of the Company at a price of $1,023. The
redemption price declines annually until it becomes $1,000 on and after November
19, 1998, plus accrued but unpaid dividends to the redemption date.

     The issued shares of Series B ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled
to receive preferential and cumulative quarterly dividends, and rank as to
dividends and liquidation prior to the Company's Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock and common stock. At September 30, 1996, 6,087,000 shares of the
Company's common stock were reserved for conversion of the Series B ESOP
Convertible Preferred Stock.

     In April 1996, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to purchase up
to 4,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock, superseding the previous
authorization issued in September 1995. As of September 30, 1996, the Company
had purchased 736,000 shares under the new authorization.

     On November 10, 1995, a two-for-one stock split in the form of a stock
dividend was authorized, payable to stockholders of record on March 15, 1996. A
total of 67,774,968 shares were issued in connection with the split. Also,
$18,432,000 was reclassified from additional paid-in-capital and $49,343,000
from retained earnings to common stock.

     On July 27, 1994, a two-for-one stock split in the form of a stock dividend
was authorized, payable to stockholders of record on August 9, 1994. A total of
33,887,484 shares were issued in connection with the split. Also, $33,887,484
was reclassified from additional paid-in-capital to common stock.

     All common share and per share amounts in these financial statements have
been restated to reflect the split where appropriate.


J. SAVINGS PLAN & INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLANS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
During 1994, the Company amended its Profit Sharing and Savings Plan (PSSP)
effective October 1, 1994. Under the amended plan, now called the Cabot
Retirement Incentive Savings Plan (CRISP), the Company will make matching
contributions of at least 75% of a participant's contribution of up to 7.5% of
the participant's eligible compensation, subject to limitations required by
governmental laws or regulations. Company contributions to the CRISP were
$3,505,000 in 1996 and $3,886,000 in 1995.

     The accrued contribution of the Company under the PSSP, based upon an
annual return on stockholders' equity, was $5,707,000 in 1994.

     The Company has an Equity Incentive Plan for key employees. Under the plan
adopted in 1988, participants may be granted various types of stock and
stock-based awards. During 1988 through 1991, the awards granted consisted of
stock options, performance appreciation rights (PARs) and tandem units which may
be exercised as stock options or PARs. These awards were granted at fair market
value of Cabot's stock at date of grant, and vested ratably on each of the next
four anniversaries of the award. In 1992 through 1995, awards consisted of
common stock of the Company which employees could elect to receive in the form
of restricted stock purchased at a price equal to 50% of the fair market 


                                                                             35

<PAGE>   20

value on the date of the award, nonqualified stock options at fair market value
of Cabot's stock on the date of the award, or a combination of one-half of each.
In December 1995, the Board of Directors adopted the 1996 Equity Incentive Plan.
The 1996 Plan was approved by the stockholders of the Company in March 1996. No
new awards will be made under the plan adopted in 1988. Awards under the 1996
Plan could be purchased at a price equal to 40% of the fair market value on the
date of the award. Variations on these awards were made to international
employees in order to try to provide results comparable to U.S. employees. The
awards generally vest on the third anniversary date of the award for employees
then employed by the Company or a subsidiary. The Company had reserved 2,800,000
shares of common stock for issuance under the 1996 Plan at September 30, 1996.
There were 1,993,360 shares available for future grants at September 30, 1996.

<TABLE>
     The following table summarizes the plans' activity from September 30, 1993
through September 30, 1996:
<CAPTION>
                          --------------------    ----          -----------
                              Stock Options
                          and Restricted Stock    PARs          Price Range
- ----------------------------------------------    ----          -----------
<S>                            <C>               <C>         <C>
September 30, 1993 .......     4,456,556         8,308       $ 6.31 to $11.69
    Granted ..............       968,180            --       $12.28 to $13.97
    Exercised ............      (220,404)       (1,500)      $ 6.31 to $10.47
    Cancelled ............      (278,840)           --       $ 7.59 to $12.28
                               ---------        ------       ----------------
September 30, 1994 .......     4,925,492         6,808       $ 6.31 to $13.97
    Granted ..............       944,400            --       $20.00
    Exercised ............      (355,148)           --       $ 6.31 to $11.69
    Vested ...............      (623,212)           --       $ 7.00 to $12.28
    Cancelled ............      (463,976)           --       $ 7.59 to $11.69
                               ---------        ------       ----------------
September 30, 1995 .......     4,427,556         6,808       $ 7.16 to $20.00
    Granted ..............       889,150            --       $10.68 to $26.70
    Exercised ............      (680,462)         (636)      $ 7.16 to $12.28
    Vested ...............      (571,204)           --       $10.00 to $12.28
    Cancelled ............       (77,929)         (136)      $ 7.59 to $20.00
                               ---------        ------       ----------------
September 30, 1996 .......     3,987,111         6,036       $ 7.59 to $26.70
                               =========        ======       ================
</TABLE>

     The stock options in the table above expire at various dates through
September 2002. At September 30, 1996, the total outstanding awards of 3,987,111
consisted of 1,700,094 of stock options and 2,287,017 of unvested restricted
shares. Of the stock options outstanding 1,511,694 were exercisable at prices
ranging from $7.59 to $11.69.

     The Company has not adopted SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-based
Compensation," which is required to be adopted by fiscal 1997. The Company
intends to continue to record compensation based on the provisions of Accounting
Principles Board Opinion 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," as
allowed by SFAS No. 123. Although the Company has not determined the ultimate
impact of adopting SFAS No. 123, it does not believe, based on the number of
stock options previously granted, that the adoption will have a material effect
on the Company's current financial position or results of operations.

K. INCOME TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
Income before income taxes was as follows:
<CAPTION>
                                                        Years ended September 30
                                    --------          --------          --------
Dollars in thousands                  1996              1995               1994
- --------------------------------------------          --------          --------
<S>                                 <C>               <C>               <C>     
Domestic .................          $134,289          $102,980          $ 30,388

Foreign ..................           145,545           153,049            87,937
                                    --------          --------          --------
    Total ................          $279,834          $256,029          $118,325
                                    ========          ========          ========
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
     A summary of taxes on income is as follows:
<CAPTION>

                                                        Years ended September 30
                                        -------        --------         --------
Dollars in thousands                     1996            1995             1994
- -----------------------------------------------        --------         --------
<S>                                     <C>            <C>              <C>     
U.S. federal and state:
Current .........................       $33,247        $ 64,204         $(3,131)
Deferred ........................         1,031         (25,794)         15,644
                                        -------        --------         -------
    Total .......................       $34,278        $ 38,410         $12,513
                                        =======        ========         =======
Foreign:                                                           
Current .........................       $61,184        $ 61,039         $21,010
Deferred ........................         2,754           1,631          11,440
                                        -------        --------         -------
    Total .......................       $63,938        $ 62,670         $32,450
                                        -------        --------         -------
      Total U.S. and                                               
      Foreign ...................       $98,216        $101,080         $44,963
                                        =======        ========         =======
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
     The provision for income taxes at the Company's effective tax rate differed
from the provision for income taxes at the statutory rate as follows:

<CAPTION>
                                                        Years ended September 30
                                           -------       --------       -------
Dollars in thousands                         1996          1995           1994
- --------------------------------------------------       --------       -------
<S>                                        <C>           <C>            <C>    
Computed tax expense at
    the expected statutory
    rate ............................      $97,942       $ 89,720       $41,414
Foreign income:                                                       
    Impact of taxation at                                             
      different rates, repatri-                                       
      ation and other ...............        5,817          5,407          (257)
    Impact of foreign losses for                                      
      which a current tax                                             
      benefit is not available ......        2,432            529           701
State taxes, net of federal                                           
    effect ..........................        2,718          5,560         2,655
Foreign sales corporation ...........       (2,968)        (1,500)       (1,158)
U.S. and State benefits from                                          
    research and exper-                                               
    imentation activities ...........       (5,981)            --            --
Other, net ..........................       (1,744)         1,364         1,608
                                           -------       --------       -------
    Provision for income                                              
      taxes .........................      $98,216       $101,080       $44,963
                                           =======       ========       =======
</TABLE>

36

<PAGE>   21

                                                                     
<TABLE>
     Significant components of deferred income taxes were as follows:
<CAPTION>
                                                                      September 30
                                                            --------      --------
Dollars in thousands                                          1996           1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------      --------
<S>                                                         <C>           <C>     
Deferred tax assets:
Depreciation and amortization .........................     $ 24,929      $ 28,467
Pension and other benefits ............................       48,945        44,640
Environmental matters .................................       14,928        18,008
Restructuring charges .................................        4,396         5,633
Investments ...........................................       10,850        10,850
State and local taxes .................................        5,620         5,449
Net operating loss and other tax                                        
    carryforwards .....................................       13,512        12,132
Other .................................................       26,573        33,373
                                                            --------      --------
    Subtotal ..........................................      149,753       158,552
                                                            --------      --------
Valuation allowances ..................................      (15,724)       (9,318)
                                                            --------      --------
      Total deferred tax assets .......................     $134,029      $149,234
                                                            --------      --------
Deferred tax liabilities:                                               
Depreciation and amortization .........................     $ 64,272      $ 71,629
Pension and other benefits ............................       10,888        10,235
Investments ...........................................       28,208        36,629
Other .................................................      107,463       100,532
                                                            --------      --------
      Total deferred tax liabilities ..................     $210,831      $219,025
                                                            ========      ========
</TABLE>                                                               

     The Company increased the valuation allowance in 1996 by $6,405,000 with
respect to certain foreign future tax benefits and net operating losses
reflected as deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty of their ultimate
realization.
     Approximately $47,059,000 of net operating losses and other tax
carryforwards remain at September 30, 1996, $33,012,000 of which expire in the
years 1997 through 2003, and $14,047,000 of which can be carried forward
indefinitely. The benefits of these carryforwards are dependent on taxable
income during the carryforward period in those foreign jurisdictions wherein
they arose, and 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.
     United States income tax returns for fiscal years 1992 and 1993 are
currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Assessments, if
any, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial
statements.
     Provision has not been made for U.S. income taxes or foreign withholding
taxes on approximately $130,000,000 of undistributed earnings of foreign
subsidiaries as these earnings are considered indefinitely reinvested. These
earnings could become subject to U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxes
(subject to a reduction for foreign tax credits) if they were remitted as
dividends, if foreign earnings were loaned to the Company or a U.S. subsidiary,
or if the Company should sell its stock in the subsidiaries. However, the
Company believes that U.S. foreign tax credits would largely eliminate any U.S.
income tax and offset any foreign withholding tax that might otherwise be due.
     Cash paid for income taxes during 1996, 1995 and 1994 totalled
$109,072,000, $60,340,000 and $23,855,000, respectively.

L. COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEASE COMMITMENTS
<TABLE>
The Company leases certain transportation vehicles, warehouse facilities, office
space, machinery and equipment under cancelable and non-cancelable leases, most
of which expire within 10 years and may be renewed by the Company. Rent expense
under such arrangements totalled $14,511,000, $16,545,000 and $17,638,000 in
1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Future minimum rental commitments under
non-cancelable leases are as follows:
<CAPTION>
Dollars in thousands
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                                                                      <C>    
1997 ..................................................................  $12,380
1998 ..................................................................   10,557
1999 ..................................................................    9,585
2000 ..................................................................    8,890
2001 ..................................................................    8,617
2002 and thereafter ...................................................   15,720
                                                                         -------
                                                                         $65,749
                                                                         =======
</TABLE>
OTHER LONG-TERM COMMITMENTS
During 1995, the Company entered into long-term supply agreements of more than
six years with certain North American tire customers. The contracts are designed
to provide such customers with agreed-upon amounts of carbon black at prices
based on an agreed-upon formula.
     Also during 1995, the Company agreed to participate as a 10% owner in a
proposed liquefied natural gas plant in Trinidad, and to purchase approximately
60 percent of the gas produced by the plant. Once the plant is operational, it
is estimated that it will produce 3.3 trillion cubic feet of gas over a period
of 20 years. Gas from the project is not expected to be available until fiscal
year 1999.

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

                                                                              37
<PAGE>   22
     As of September 30, 1996, approximately $44,500,000, was accrued for
environmental matters, primarily related to divested businesses. The amount
represents the Company's current best estimate of its share of costs likely to
be incurred based on its analysis of the extent of cleanup required, alternative
cleanup methods available, abilities of other responsible parties to contribute
and its interpretation of applicable laws and regulations at each site. The
Company reviews the adequacy of this reserve as circumstances change at
individual sites. Included in other charges are environmental expenses of
$3,000,000, $17,000,000 and $15,000,000 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
     In the opinion of the Company, although final settlement of these suits and
claims may impact the Company's financial statements in a particular period,
they will not, in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial position.

M. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS & CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company uses financial instruments, primarily forward contracts, options and
swaps in its management of foreign currency and interest rate exposures. These
financial instruments hedge transactions and balances consistent with the
Company's currency and interest rate exposures. The Company does not purchase or
issue financial instruments for trading purposes.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE
The Company's foreign exchange forward contracts and options do not subject the
Company to risk due to exchange rate movements because gains and losses on these
contracts offset losses and gains on the assets, liabilities, transactions and
cash flows being hedged. The Company had $26,907,000 of foreign exchange forward
contracts outstanding at September 30, 1996. The fair value of such contracts,
which was the replacement value, represented a net unrealized gain of
approximately $2,538,000 as of September 30, 1996. In September 1996, the
Company both purchased and sold foreign exchange options to reduce the impact of
changes in foreign exchange rates on the Company's European cash flow. The cost
of these options purchased was approximately $750,000 and the premium on the
options sold was approximately $450,000. The U.S. dollar equivalent of the
notional amounts under option contracts are $100,000,000 for put options
purchased and $65,000,000 for call options sold. The contracts expire in equal
quarterly installments during fiscal 1997. The net cost of these options will be
recognized as cost of sales, along with any gains or losses, over the option
period. The fair value of these option contracts was $474,000 at September 30,
1996. Forward exchange and option contracts generally have maturities which do
not exceed twelve months. See Note A for information on the Company's policy on
forward exchange contracts and currency option gains and losses.

INTEREST RATE
During 1995, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement to fix the
interest rate on certain borrowings expected to be refinanced in 1997. Pursuant
to the agreement, beginning on June 17, 1997, the Company will pay a fixed rate
of 7.375% on a notional $100,000,000 and receive a floating rate based on London
Interbank Offered Rates ("LIBOR") as determined at six month intervals through
December 17, 2007.

CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments which subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk
consist principally of trade receivables. International tire manufacturers
comprise a significant portion of the Company's carbon black customer base. The
Company had trade receivables of approximately $66,213,000 and $68,105,000 from
international tire manufacturers at September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
Although the Company's exposure to credit risk associated with nonpayment by
tire manufacturers is affected by conditions or occurrences within the tire
industry, trade receivables from the international tire manufacturers were
current at September 30, 1996, and no manufacturer exceeded 5% of the Company's
receivables at that date.

N. FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY INDUSTRY SEGMENT & GEOGRAPHIC AREA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial information by industry segment for 1992 through 1996, as set forth on
page 19, is an integral part of these financial statements. Energy segment sales
include sales to a major customer in the amount of $277,679,000, $250,439,000
and $272,245,000 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Transfers between
geographic areas are recorded at cost plus mark-up or at market.


38

<PAGE>   23
<TABLE>
     Financial information by geographic area is as follows:
<CAPTION>
                                                          Years ended September 30
                                              --------      --------      --------
Dollars in millions                             1996          1995          1994
- ------------------------------------------------------      --------      --------
<S>                                           <C>           <C>           <C>     
SALES
United States:
    Sales, excluding export sales
      Specialty Chemicals and
          Materials ...................       $  526.6      $  605.7      $  563.2
      Energy ..........................          422.0         342.6         438.7
    Export sales ......................          109.7          93.7          85.0
                                              --------      --------      --------
          Total .......................        1,058.3       1,042.0       1,086.9
Europe ................................          638.6         642.9         503.8
Other areas ...........................          281.5         249.5         177.1
                                              --------      --------      --------
      Total ...........................        1,978.4       1,934.4       1,767.8
Less: Eliminations ....................          122.1         104.0          88.0
                                              --------      --------      --------
      Net sales .......................       $1,856.3      $1,830.4      $1,679.8
                                              ========      ========      ========
OPERATING PROFIT                                                       
United States:                                                         
    Specialty Chemicals and                                            
      Materials .......................       $  142.3      $  155.9      $  108.5
    Energy ............................           23.0          12.7          18.4
Europe ................................           99.2         103.0          49.0
Other areas ...........................           19.0          27.9           8.4
      Total operating profit ..........          283.5         299.5         184.3
Interest expense ......................           41.7          35.6          41.7
Unallocated corporate                                                  
    expenses, net(a) ..................           29.2          28.0          23.4
Gain on sale of businesses ............          (38.9)        (32.6)           --
Gain on sale of equity                                                 
    securities ........................          (28.3)           --            --
Adjustment of reserves related                                         
    to divested businesses ............             --          12.5           0.8
                                              --------      --------      --------
      Income before                                                    
          income taxes ................       $  279.8      $  256.0      $  118.4
                                              ========      ========      ========
IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS                                                    
United States:                                                         
    Specialty Chemicals and                                            
      Materials .......................       $  529.2      $  426.9      $  482.7
    Energy ............................           79.7         133.8         127.4
Europe ................................          494.8         465.3         444.3
Other areas ...........................          403.7         275.7         245.2
General corporate(b) ..................          270.8         253.7         231.0
Equity in affiliates -                                                 
    Europe ............................            9.3          26.9          22.3
Equity in affiliates -                                                 
    Other areas .......................           70.1          72.0          63.9
                                              --------      --------      --------
      Total ...........................       $1,857.6      $1,654.3      $1,616.8
                                              ========      ========      ========
<FN>                                                                 
(a) Unallocated corporate expenses, net, include corporate management costs
    reduced by investment income.

(b) General corporate assets include cash, temporary cash investments,
    investments other than equity basis, income taxes receivable, deferred taxes
    and headquarters' assets.
</TABLE>

O. UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
Unaudited financial results by quarter for the fiscal years ended September 30,
1996 and 1995 are summarized below and should be read in conjunction with
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.
<CAPTION>

Dollars in millions,          ------     ------     ------     ------        --------
except per share amounts       Dec        March      June       Sept           Year
- ------------------------------------     ------     ------     ------        --------
<S>                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>     
FISCAL 1996
Net sales .............       $443.0     $491.3     $457.3     $464.6        $1,856.3
Cost of sales .........       $305.1     $345.3     $318.5     $341.0        $1,310.0
Net income ............       $ 43.4     $ 42.9     $ 35.7     $ 72.0(a)     $  194.1
Income applicable to                                                       
  common shares .......       $ 42.5     $ 42.0     $ 35.0     $ 71.2        $  190.8
                              ---------------------------------------        --------
Income per common                                                          
   share (primary)(c) .       $ 0.57     $ 0.58     $ 0.48     $ 0.98        $   2.60
                              =======================================        ========
FISCAL 1995                                                                
Net sales .............       $428.0     $481.3     $494.8     $426.3        $1,830.4
Cost of sales .........       $296.8     $329.4     $336.1     $296.7        $1,259.0
Net income ............       $ 33.9     $ 46.4     $ 47.0     $ 44.6(b)     $  171.9
Income applicable to                                                       
  common shares .......       $ 33.0     $ 45.5     $ 46.1     $ 43.7        $  168.4
                              ---------------------------------------        --------
Income per common                                                          
   share (primary)(c) .       $ 0.43     $ 0.59     $ 0.59     $ 0.57        $   2.17
                              =======================================        ======== 
<FN>
(a) Includes a $38.9 gain on the sale of coal transportation business, TUCO and
    a $28.3 gain on the sale of equity securities of K N Energy, Inc.
(b) Includes $32.6 gain on sale of safety business and $12.5 charge for
    environmental reserves.
(c) The Company declared a two-for-one stock split during the year. As a result,
    share and per share amounts have been restated.
</TABLE>

                                                                              39
<PAGE>   24
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING

The accompanying financial statements were prepared by Cabot Corporation in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company's
management is responsible for the integrity of these statements and of the data,
estimates and judgments that underlie them.
     Cabot Corporation maintains a system of internal accounting controls
designed to provide reasonable assurance that the Company's assets are
safeguarded from loss or unauthorized use, that transactions are properly
authorized and recorded, and that financial records are reliable and adequate
for public reporting. The standard of reasonable assurance is based on
management's judgment that the cost of such controls should not exceed their
associated benefits. The system is monitored and evaluated on an ongoing basis
by management in conjunction with the Company's internal audit staff,
independent accountants, and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
     Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants, were engaged by the
Company to audit these financial statements. Their audit was conducted in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and included a study and
evaluation of the Company's system of internal accounting controls, selected
tests of that system, and related audit procedures as they consider necessary to
render their opinion.
     The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors provides general oversight
responsibility for the financial statements. Composed entirely of Directors who
are not employees of the Company, the Committee meets periodically with Company
management, internal auditors and the independent accountants to review the
quality of the financial reporting and internal controls as well as the results
of the auditing efforts. The internal auditors and independent accountants have
full and direct access to the Audit Committee, with and without management
present.


/s/ Samuel W. Bodman

Samuel W. Bodman
Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Kenyon C. Gilson

Kenyon C. Gilson
Chief Financial Officer

/s/ Paul J. Gormisky

Paul J. Gormisky
Chief Accounting Officer


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

TO THE DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF CABOT CORPORATION 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cabot
Corporation as of September 30, 1996 and 1995 and the related consolidated
statements of income and cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the
period ended September 30, 1996. 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 generally accepted auditing
standards. 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, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Cabot
Corporation as of September 30, 1996 and 1995, and the consolidated results of
its operations and its cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the
period ended September 30, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.

                                                    /s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.


Boston, Massachusetts
October 25, 1996

40


<PAGE>   1



                                                                      EXHIBIT 21


                                CABOT CORPORATION

                            Significant Subsidiaries

                            As of September 30, 1996


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                         Jurisdiction of
Name                                                     Incorporation
- ----                                                     ---------------
<S>                                                      <C>   
Cabot Carbon Limited                                     England
Cabot G.B. Limited                                       England
Cabot B.V.                                               Netherlands
Cabot International Capital Corporation                  Delaware

</TABLE>


<PAGE>   1
                                                                      Exhibit 24

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



         We the undersigned directors and officers of Cabot Corporation, hereby
severally constitute and appoint Robert Rothberg, Charles D. Gerlinger and
William F. Robinson, Jr., and each of them, our true and lawful attorneys with
full power to (i) sign for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below
Annual Reports on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 of Cabot Corporation for the fiscal year ended September
30, 1996, and subsequent years, and any and all amendments thereto, hereby
ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said
attorneys, or either of them, to said Reports and to any and all amendments to
said Reports; and (ii) to file such Reports and amendments with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on behalf of Cabot Corporation.

         WITNESS our hands and common seal on the date set forth below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

SIGNATURE                                   TITLE                          DATE
- ---------                                   -----                          ----

<S>                                     <C>                                <C>
 /s/  Samuel W. Bodman                  Director and Chairman              November 8, 1996
- --------------------------------        (Chief Executive Officer)
Samuel W. Bodman                                     


/s/  Kennett F. Burnes                  Director and President             November 8, 1996
- --------------------------------
Kennett F. Burnes


/s/  Kenyon C. Gilson                   Executive Vice President and       November 8, 1996
- --------------------------------        Chief Financial Officer
Kenyon C. Gilson                                     


/s/  Paul J. Gormisky                   Vice President and Controller      November 8, 1996
- --------------------------------        (Principal Accounting Officer)
Paul J. Gormisky                                              


/s/  Jane C. Bradley                    Director                           November 8, 1996
- --------------------------------
Jane C. Bradley


/s/  John G.L. Cabot                    Director                           November 8, 1996
- --------------------------------
John G.L. Cabot


/s/  Arthur L. Goldstein                Director                           November 8, 1996
- --------------------------------
Arthur L. Goldstein


/s/  Robert P. Henderson                Director                           November 8, 1996
- --------------------------------
Robert P. Henderson
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   2
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

SIGNATURE                                   TITLE                               DATE
- ---------                                   -----                               ----
<S>                                         <C>                                 <C>

/s/  Arnold S. Hiatt                        Director                            November 8, 1996
- ------------------------------
Arnold S. Hiatt


/s/  John H. McArthur                       Director                            November 8, 1996
- ------------------------------
John H. McArthur


/s/  John F. O'Brien                        Director                            November 8, 1996
- ------------------------------
John F. O'Brien


/s/  David V. Ragone                        Director                            November 8, 1996
- ------------------------------
David V. Ragone


/s/  Charles P. Siess, Jr.                  Director                            November 8, 1996
- ------------------------------
Charles P. Siess, Jr.


/s/  Morris Tanenbaum                       Director                            November 8, 1996
- ------------------------------
Morris Tanenbaum


/s/  Lydia W. Thomas                        Director                            November 8, 1996
- ------------------------------
Lydia W. Thomas
</TABLE>



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) OF CABOT CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          58,148
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  369,030
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,267
<INVENTORY>                                    260,430
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               709,783
<PP&E>                                       1,712,045
<DEPRECIATION>                                 809,053
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,857,581
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          527,704
<BONDS>                                        321,497
                                0
                                     75,336
<COMMON>                                       135,550
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,200,326
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,857,581
<SALES>                                      1,856,269
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,865,202
<CGS>                                        1,309,992
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,309,992
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                87,981
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              41,718
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                279,834
<INCOME-TAX>                                    98,216
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            194,057
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   194,057
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.42
        

</TABLE>


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