WdK warns over EPDM price increases

Frankfurt, Germany -- Germany's rubber federation, the WdK has warned that raw materials price increases are having a serious impact on the construction profiles industry.

WdK said these industries use EPDM and carbon black in large quantities, but prices of these materials have been shooting up throughout the year, despite an easing of the price of oil and natural rubber. WdK said EPDM prices are higher by 7 percent in the fourth quarter of this year, compared to the same period 12 months ago, while carbon black prices are up by 12 percent. These increases come on top of sustained price rises of over 20 percent on the year to 2005, said the WdK.

The WdK said this has had a significant impact ont he profiles industry, and it sees no relaxation in the trend to higher raw materials prices. In the end, said the organisation, prices for profiles will have to increase.