The Paper Specialties Business Unit of Clariant, Muttenz, Switzerland, this past week announced global price increases for its entire paper chemicals portfolio, depending on the specific product group, by up to 30%. Clariant notes that the price adjustments are necessary to address "strongly rising feedstock costs in all raw material segments during the first half of 2010, including increased transportation and energy costs."
During the past six months, Clariant says that its Paper Business has absorbed significant cost increases through production optimization measures, adding however, that "recent raw material cost developments leave no other alternative than to increase prices." Clariant customers will be contacted individually regarding the specifics of the price increases as they apply to their products and regions. The increases are effective immediately or as contracts allow.
TAPPI
http://tappi.org/