The rises from BASF, Rhodia and DuPont aim to recover higher costs for feedstock and energy

The rises from BASF, Rhodia and DuPont aim to recover higher costs for feedstock and energy

Nylon polymer prices are on the way up following initiatives from a number of major suppliers over the past few days. The increases cover both 6 and 66 materials and aim to recover higher costs for feedstock and energy. BASF announced a E200/tonne increase for its Capron nylon 6 compounds with effect from the middle of this month; its caprolactam feedstock is rising by E120/tonne. The company blamed continuous erosion of margins over the past three years for the move.

Rhodia’s hike takes effect on 29 March. It aims to raise the price of the French group’s base nylon 66 resins by E120/tonne and those for Technyl 6 and 66 nylon compounds by E200/tonne. It cited rising energy and raw materials costs, together with significant margin erosion, against a background of strengthening nylon demand worldwide.

Rhodia has been working to cut its operating costs and improve productivity. But the company said the benefits of these programmes were insufficient to compensate for the upward pressures. DuPont will raise prices for nylon 6 and 66 base polymers by 8% on 1 April in response to “significant and sustained increases in energy and raw material costs over a long period of time”.