DSM Coating Resins´ Gerben Algra, Global Business Manager Polyesters, announced today prices for the UralacTM range of polyester coating resins. Powder and liquid polyester resins will increase by USD 0.10/lb for all orders shipped on or after February 1, 2005 or as otherwise permitted by the terms and conditions of customer contracts.

DSM with five polyester powder resin plants is a leading global supplier of resin for Coatings.  Powder Coatings are used in architectural, domestic appliance, automotive and general industrial applications. Liquid Polyester resins are used as binders and additives in Industrial Coating systems for Can, Coil, Automotive and general industrial applications.

Algra says the need for these further price increases is due to the continuing escalation in the cost of global feedstock such as NPG and PTA, high energy costs and fuel surcharges. Strong global demand is responsible for feedstock’s back-to-back price hikes through 2004 and into 2005. As some feedstock types become short and others are at risk of becoming short Algra adds: “With each cost-hike in feedstock during 2004 we made considerable efforts to absorb some of the impact by delaying our own consequential price increases. As a result, we have accumulated significant extra costs through 2004 which we are unable to extend further.”