BASF will increase its prices for acrylic acid and acrylic esters (glacial acrylic acid; methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate), as far as existing contracts permit. This is the company’s reaction to inadequate margins, predominantly caused by continued high and further increasing raw material, transportation and energy costs. According to the regions, the price increases for acrylic monomers are in detail:
In Europe/Africa/Middle East the increases of ˆ120 per metric ton for butyl acrylate, 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate and methyl acrylate and ˆ80 per metric ton for glacial acrylic acid will be effective October 1, 2006.
In North America the increase will be $110 per metric ton on the average of products, effective October 1, 2006, too.
In South America the increase will be from $110 up to $300, depending on the product. This is effective October 1, 2006, too.
BASF recently already implemented a price increase in Asia.
Acrylic acid is the main precursor in the production of superabsorbent polymers, materials which absorb many times their own weight in liquid and are mainly used in diapers and other hygienic products. Other acrylic acid derivatives are pure acrylate dispersions of the kind used for binders in varnishes and paints, and acrylic acid ester, also known as acrylate. These monomeric building blocks are used to manufacture the polymer dispersions contained as a functional component in architectural coatings, adhesives, fiber binders, products for the construction chemicals industry and coatings for the paper industry.
