Kuraray to increase prices of hydrogenated styrene thermoplastic elastomers SEPTON, HYBRAR and 'TU polymer' US$0.80/kg, effective March 15; increase attributed to tight global demand, cost of butadiene, isoprene monomers

Alison Gallant

TOKYO , February 29, 2012 (press release) – Kuraray has announced its decision to increase the prices of the hydrogenated styrene thermoplastic elastomers SEPTON, HYBRAR and "TU polymer," commencing with shipments from March 15, 2012. Details of the revisions are given below.

On the back of tight global demand, prices of butadiene monomer and isoprene monomer, key materials of thermoplastic elastomers, increased and continued to hover at a high level. The accompanying rapid rise in costs for raw materials is far exceeding the Company's own cost reduction endeavors. Under these circumstances, to maintain a steady supply and to improve profitability, Kuraray has decided to implement the price revisions set out below.

1. Scope of revision Hydrogenated styrene thermoplastic elastomers SEPTON, HYBRAR,
"TU polymer"
2. Effective date Shipments on or after March 15, 2012
3. Price increases Japan JPY50/kg
Asia USD0.80/kg

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.