An investigation was carried out on the influence of nejayote and other additives (water, potassium lignosulfonate, and furfuryl alcohol), on the cohesive strength and electrical properties of carbon black agglomerates. The thermal stability of carbon black agglomerates with potassium lignosulfonate and nejayote was similar. The influence of nejayote and potassium lignosulfonate on the cohesive strength of carbon black agglomerates was also similar but the electrical properties were different. The carbon black agglomerates with nejayote have a lower electrical conductivity. The influence of water on the cohesive strength of carbon black agglomerates was not significant but it was important in their electrical conductivity. Nejayote, a waste by-product from the corn-processing industry, appears as a potential agglutinant in the carbon black pelletization process. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.