Consumables
BASF to further increase prices for acrylic monomers
Tuesday 17. June 2008 - In view of rising feedstock and energy costs, BASF will further increase prices for its acrylic acid and acrylic esters (glacial acrylic acid; methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate), as contracts permit. The amount and timing of the price increases will vary by region.
In the Europe/Africa/Middle East region prices will increase immediately for glacial acrylic acid and all esters depending on the product and country as well as customer specific aspects.
In North America, the following price increases that were announced in May became effective on June 1, 2008, or as contracts allowed:
Glacial acrylic acid: $0.04 per pound ($66 per metric ton)
Methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate: $0.05 per pound and N-butyl acrylate ($110 per metric ton)
2-ethyl hexyl acrylate: $0.07 per pound ($155 per metric ton)
Effective July 1, 2008, or as contracts allow, the following additional increases will be implemented in North America:
Glacial acrylic acid, methyl acrylate: $0.05 per pound and ethyl acrylate ($110 per metric ton)
N-butyl acrylate, 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate: $0.06 per pound ($132 per metric ton)
In South America and in Asia, BASF will increase prices for glacial acrylic acid and all esters depending on the product and country as well as customer specific aspects with immediate effect.
Acrylic acid is the main precursor in the production of superabsorbent polymers, materials which absorb many times their own weight in liquid and are mainly used in diapers and other hygienic products. Other acrylic acid derivatives are pure acrylate dispersions of the kind used for binders in varnishes and paints, and acrylic acid ester, also known as acrylate. These monomeric building blocks are used to manufacture the polymer dispersions contained as a functional component in architectural coatings, adhesives, fiber binders, products for the construction chemicals industry and coatings for the paper industry.