Consumables
Sun Chemical to increase prices for Sheetfed & UV products in Europe
Monday 21. June 2010 - Sun Chemical Europe today announced that a 5-10% price increase will be implemented for its Sheetfed and UV products effective 1 July 2010. Critical raw material shortages for acrylic acid, epoxy resins, gum rosin, etc. are affecting the entire print industry as well as other industries reliant on the same materials. These shortages together with significant raw material price increases have necessitated a price change within Sun Chemicals Sheetfed & UV markets.
Felipe Mellado, Chief Marketing Officer for Sun Chemical, commented that “several raw material suppliers have already implemented two price increases this year and a third round of announcements is expected shortly. Various materials have also been placed under sales control, which restricts access to the necessary product ingredients. The weakening Euro has also had a significant impact on raw material prices.”
With raw material capacity having been reduced during the recession, the increase in demand from the Far East as well as North American and Europe is straining current stock levels. Feedstock pressure as well as plant closures have also contributed towards the shortage of supply and therefore an overall average increase of 10% in raw material cost has been passed on to manufacturers this year.
Mr Mellado added that “the print industry is under significant pressure to mitigate the effect of increasing raw material costs. Sun Chemicals purchasing, technical and manufacturing teams are working very hard to ensure that our flexibility of sourcing allows us to minimise disruption, but it has become necessary to implement price changes to maintain our commitment to customer service, world-class quality products and continuous innovation.”