Consumables
BASF to increase prices for acrylic monomers
Friday 28. March 2008 - BASF will increase its prices for acrylic acid and acrylic esters (glacial acrylic acid; methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate), as far as existing contracts permit. This is the companys reaction to inadequate margins. The price increases for acrylic monomers will differentiate in the regions as follows.
In Europe/Africa/Middle East the following increases will be effective April 1, 2008:
Glacial acrylic acid, ethyl acrylate: 50 per metric ton
N-butyl acrylate: 70 per metric ton
2-ethyl hexyl acrylate: 90 per metric ton
In North America the following increases will be effective April 1, 2008, too:
Glacial acrylic acid,methyl acrylate: $0.03/lb
($66 per metric ton)
N-butyl acrylate: $0.04/lb
($88 per metric ton)
2-ethyl hexyl acrylate: $0.07/lb
($155 per metric ton)
In Asia the prices will be increased, depending on the product and country-specific aspects. This is effective April 1, 2008, too.
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.