BASF, PMC Biogenix Raise Prices

Tag : Zinc Stearate
By George Gill

BASF last week announced it will raise prices in some regions forpolyetheramines used in additives, and PMC Biogenix on Monday saidit would increases prices for fatty amide, bisamide and metallicstearate products used in metalworking fluids.

On June 24, BASF said that effective immediately, or as existingcontracts permit, it will up prices for polyetheramines in Asia,Europe and South America by 5 to 10 percent, depending on the typeof product. The company previously increased the prices forpolyetheramines in the North American Free Trade Agreement regioneffective May 1 at the same rate. Huntsman is the other majorsupplier of polyetheramines, which are used as carrier oils,detergents and dispersing agents in lubricant and fuelcompositions.

PMC Biogenix on Monday announced that effective Aug. 1, or ascontracts permit, it would raise prices for its fatty amide andbisamide products by 15 cents to 25 cents per pound, based on gradeand raw material source. The company cited escalating raw material,energy and transportation costs as reasons for the increase.

For those same reasons, PMC Biogenix on Monday also announcedeffective July 15, or as contracts permit, an 8 cents to 15 centsper pound hike in prices for metallic stearate products, based ongrade and raw material source.

The metal processing industry uses metallic stearates aslubricants, release agents and dry-film lubricants. The stearatesare also used as lubricants in the plastics industry.

PMC Biogenix, a subsidiary of PMC Group, was created by theacquisition of Chemturas oleochemicals and derivatives businessunit earlier this year. PMC Biogenix produces aluminum, calcium,lithium, magnesium, potassium and zinc stearate, as well asspecialty stearate blends and dispersions.