The rise is to compensate for cost increases

The rise is to compensate for cost increases

Ticona is increasing the price of its GUR ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (PE-UHMW) by 20% from 1 December. It says this is to compensate for cost increases and to allow it to invest in the future of the business.

European marketing manager for GUR Mike Harding said: “Rationalisation alone cannot offset the rising costs and falling prices of recent years.” He added this was the first price increase for the material in the last three years.

The company claims the PE-UHMW market is growing at an average rate of 5; it is planning to increase production capacity at its Oberhausen plant in Germany by a further 10,000 tonnes by mid 2004. This will give it a worldwide nameplate capacity of 70,000tpa.

According to Ticona, GUR is used for applications requiring high wear resistance, low friction coefficient and high notched impact strength, such as conveyor systems, coatings of bulk containers, lorry components, battery separators and coatings for skis and skateboards.