DENHAM, N.C. (July 7) — Dow Reichhold Specialty Latex L.L.C. plans to increase the price of nitrile latex used in the manufacture of gloves 5 percent globally effective July 15.
The newest boost comes on the heels of recent price hikes for the company´s full line of specialty latexes for all other applications and markets.
The subsidiary of Dow Chemical Co. and Reichhold L.L.C. said rising raw material and energy costs, along with significant changes in the profile of the raw materials market, are the primary reasons for the increases. Synthetic polymer producers have had to develop a pricing strategy that reflects a new reality in raw material supply and demand, according to Rob Ewing, Dow Reichhold´s global marketing manager for gloves.
"The raw materials market continues to be a challenge," he said. "Methacrylic acid, acrylonitrile and to a lesser extent butadiene, have been impacted by feedstock availability as well as supply constrictions. Coupled with demand that is reaching 10-year highs in some applications, the result is a new level of pricing that we believe will be with us well into the future."