Orion to raise prices for carbon black grades

Senningerberg, Luxembourg — Orion Engineered Carbons GmbH is increasing prices for all rubber carbon black grades sold in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, effective with shipments beginning 1 July.

Invoice prices for rubber carbon blacks will be adjusted by €60 to €90 per tonne, in line with existing agreements. The increase is due to rising operating expenses and costs required to meet more stringent customer quality standards and service levels, according to a statement.

The price adjustments also help to ensure a continuous supply of carbon black products, Orion said.

Similar price adjustments were announced by Indian carbon black producer Birla Carbon in the Europe and Africa region earlier this week.

As reported by ERJ, the company announced on 22 May that the price for the materials would increase by €70 per tonne as of 1 July.

The increase, said the Mumbai, India-based company, was necessary to address market environment, raw material costs and increasingly stringent regulatory requirements.

Boston, Massachusetts-based Cabot Corp. also announced earlier in May that it was increasing prices on all carbon black products in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region by mid-June.

“Despite ongoing efforts to offset these costs, price adjustments will be implemented in the range of €50 to €80 per tonne, in addition to any applicable feedstock index-related adjustments, for rubber carbon black products,” Cabot added in a 12 May statement.

Rubber & Plastics News, a US sister publication of ERJ has contributed to this report.