TOKYO, February 6, 2008 _ Ube Industries, Ltd. today announced that it will implement price increases for 1,6-hexanediol in Japan and other parts of Asia. The price increase is due to higher production and transport costs caused by rising raw material and fuel prices, and due to sustained pressure on supply and demand of 1,6-hexanediol.
Ube Industries will initiate negotations with its customers regarding the price increase.
| Customers in Japan | Min. ¥ 60 per kg |
|---|---|
| Customers in other parts of Asia | Min. US$0.55 per kg |
Shipments on or after February 15, 2008
1,6-hexanediol is used as a raw material for products such as polyurethane resin, polyester resin, UV curable coating resin and adhesives. Demand for 1,6-hexanediol is growing in recent years for applications such as environmentally-friendly coatings, and excellent durable resins that offer high heat resistance, antihydrolysis and antiweatherability.
Ube Industries is the only Japanese manufacturer of 1,6-hexanediol, with a total annual production capacity of 13,000 tons from three bases of production in Ube City (Yamaguchi Prefecture), Sakai City (Osaka Prefecture) and Spain.
