New York, NY, July 14--Rising benzene prices are putting pressure on nylon margins, forcing producers to increase prices. BASF, Rhodia and Bayer have raised the price of nylon-6 and nylon-6/6 resins by around 5-10%.
Bayer and BASF intend to increase the price of caprolactam by around 8% also. All rises will take effect in 3Q 2004.
BASF will increase prices for cyclohexanone and caprolactam by $0.06 per pound. In addition, prices for Ultramid, Capron and Celanese nylon resins for spinning applications and plastic extrusion applications will increase by $0.06 per pound.
These actions will take effect on Aug. 1 and will apply to customers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
"The uncertainty regarding future costs for producing nylon continues to persist as the new related raw material and energy markets remain highly volatile," said Mark Dobson, marketing and sales director for BASF's Polyamide and Intermediates Business Unit in North America.
