News
Kuraray announces its decision to increase the prices of liquid polyisoprene rubber LIR, liquid polybutadiene rubber "LBR," trans-polyisoprene rubber "TP-301," isobutylene water-soluble resin ISOBAM, and thermoplastic polyurethane KURAMIRON, commencing with shipments from September 1, 2008.
While prices were last revised for shipments from June 1, 2008, the rise in the cost of such primary raw materials as isoprene monomers, styrene monomers and butadiene monomers, as well as basic raw materials including maleic anhydride and isocyanates due to recent sharp hikes in the price of crude oil and naphtha have far exceeded Kuraray's efforts to reduce and rationalize costs. Furthermore, higher across-the-board overhead expenses including utility as well as distribution costs have resulted in a rapid downturn in business profits both in Japan and overseas.
Given these factors, and in order to maintain a steady supply and improve profitability, Kuraray has decided to implement price revisions, as detailed below.
1. Scope of revision
Liquid polyisoprene rubber LIR, liquid polybutadiene rubber "LBR," trans-polyisoprene rubber "TP-301," isobutylene water-soluble resin ISOBAM, and thermoplastic polyurethane KURAMIRON
2. Price increase
| Products | In Japan | Overseas |
|---|---|---|
| LIR, "LBR" | JPY 70/kg | US$ 0.7/kg North America, Asia EUR 0.5/kg Europe |
| "TP-301" | JPY 70/kg | US$ 0.7/kg North America, Asia EUR 0.5/kg Europe |
| ISOBAM | JPY 70/kg | US$ 0.7/kg North America, Asia EUR 0.5/kg Europe |
| KURAMIRON | JPY 40/kg | US$ 0.4/kg North America, Asia EUR 0.3/kg Europe |
3. Effective date
Shipments from September 1, 2008
