News

Kuraray announces the decision to increase the prices of both methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer and methyl acetoacetate (MAA) by ¥20 per kilogram in Japan for shipments commencing July 17, 2007.

There has been flourishing demand for MMA monomer in transparent ABS resins and optical applications for PMMA in particular. As with MMA monomers, supplies of MAA, which is used to make esters, coatings and adhesives, remain tight amid strong demand in Japan and the rest of Asia.

At the same time, in addition to utility cost hikes, prices of mainstay materials such as acetone are rising steeply due to the higher naptha prices resulting from surging crude oil prices. Thus the domestic and overseas operating revenues of MMA monomer and MAA businesses have deteriorated rapidly.

In view of these circumstances, and in an effort to maintain the stability of supply while avoiding financial loss, Kuraray has implemented the price revisions set out below.

1. Scope of revisions
Domestic shipments of MMA monomer and MAA
2. Price increase
¥20 per kilogram (MMA monomer and MAA)
3. Effective date
Shipments from July 17, 2007 (both MMA monomer and MAA)