Shanghai, China - August 03, 2006
Effective August 15, 2006, or as contract terms allow, The Dow Chemical Company will increase its styrene/butadiene (S/B) latex price by seven percent (7%) across the Asia Pacific region. This increase is driven by the continued escalation in all major raw materials including styrene, butadiene as well as energy and transportation costs.
“Dow has directly absorbed increases of all raw materials costs through first half 2006,” says Brett Simpson, Pacific commercial director for Dow Latex. “But the significant escalation in all raw materials has consistently eroded margins beyond sustainable levels. This price increase is a difficult but necessary step to ensure that our business remains viable and sustainable.”
Dow remains strongly committed to the Asia Pacific market, and will continue to focus on managing price and volume in a way that will allow continued investment in new and existing facilities and to support our customers’ growth into the future.
Dow Latex is dedicated to providing the paper and carpet industry with the widest and most innovative range of S/B latex technologies. Dow is the leading manufacturer of S/B latex and solid and hollow plastic pigments that are used in coatings for fine papers, publication papers and coated paperboard.
For more information about Dow offerings for the paper industry, please call 1-800-447-4369, or visit www.DowLatex.com.
About The Dow Chemical Company
Dow is a diversified chemical company that harnesses the power of science and technology to improve living daily. The Company offers a broad range of innovative products and services to customers in more than 175 countries, helping them to provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. Built on a commitment to its principles of sustainability, Dow has annual sales of $46 billion and employs 42,000 people worldwide. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.
For Editorial Information:
Helen Shi
The Dow Chemical Company
(86) 21 2301-9483
Fax: (86) 21 5383-5510
