Showa Denko lifts CR prices

Tokyo -- Showa Denko K.K. will raise the price of polychloroprene synthetic rubber by US$300 per tonne for all grades starting with deliveries on and after 11 Oct., 2005.

SDK previously raised CR prices in November 2004, but said the raw material cost has continued to rise. The company added, "Moreover, the domestic naphtha price is expected to further rise to ¥45,000-¥50,000 per kiloliter in the October-December period this year from ¥35,000 per kiloliter for the same period last year."

SDK said it has worked hard to absorb cost increases through rationalisation efforts. However, the company has concluded that "it has no alternative but to ask customers to bear part of the burden in order to stabilise its purchase of raw materials and supply of polychloroprene synthetic rubber products to customers."