Dow Chemical to hike prices

MIDLAND, Mich. (Feb. 28)—Dow Chemical Co. will increase prices for all pure and polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate products along with Voranol polyether and copolymer polyols by 7 cents per pound for rail car shipments. The company also will hike the price of Voranate toluene diisocyanate by 10 cents per pound. In addition, the firm will impose a 3-cent up-charge for tank truck deliveries over the tank car price for all polyurethane products. The price increases are effective April 1. "High and volatile oil and energy pricing is creating escalated raw material and distribution costs and a subsequent decrease in margins," said Richard L. Beitel, commercial director for the Dow Polyurethanes division. "In addition, this dramatic movement in oil and energy pricing is combined with several years of severe margin compression and tough economic conditions."