Flint announces another round of increases on ink, for the USA and Canada, effective Feb. 1

By Greg Rudder, Editor, PPI Pulp & Paper Week, RISI

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 10, 2011 (RISI) - With "double-digit" cost increases over the last few months on titanium dioxide, violet pigments, and nitrocellulose, Flint Group North America today announced a second increase in two months. The increases on certain printing inks and pressroom chemistry are effective in the USA and Canada.

Further, the increases announced today are in addition to the news ink price increase implemented Jan. 1, and previously announced increases for blankets and sleeves, the firm said.

"We're facing challenges on a multitude of fronts: Capacity constraints, government policies around the world, environmental concerns, decreased production of feedstocks, and more," said Flint VP for the Supply Chain Diane Parisi in a release.

Prices will increase on inks, overprint varnishes, and pressroom chemistry, effective Feb. 1 and subject to existing contracts:

Liquid Packaging & Narrow Web Inks:

All Whites, by up to 10%, depending on technology.

Solvent Colors up to 8%

Specific increases for these products, as well as for nitrocellulose-based clears, other solvent-based clear formulations, and all violet colors will be "communicated individually to customers depending on formula make-up and technology," Flint said in its release.

Print Media Inks:

Sheetfed Conventional 8%

Heatset

Process- 10%

Blends, Metallics, Fluorescents, and OPVs 12%

Directory 9%

Publication Gravure 9%

Print Media Chemicals:

Spray Powders 8-15%

Press Washes 8 - 12%

Web Conditioners 6-10%

Fountain Solutions 5-8%

Aerosols 8-15%