WILMINGTON, DE, June 04, 2008 (PRNewswire-FirstCall) - DuPont Titanium Technologies today announced a price increase for all DuPont(TM) Ti-Pure(r) titanium dioxide grades sold in Latin America, except Brazil.
Effective July 1, or as permitted by contract, prices for DuPont coatings, plastics, specialty, paper, and laminate titanium dioxide grades will increase $150 (US$) per metric ton in Latin America, except Brazil.
"The need for immediate structural improvement in price is unprecedented," said Richard C. Olson, vice president and general manager -- DuPont Titanium Technologies. "Faced with costs that are significantly above expected levels, we are forced to take these actions. Of course, our investments in cost productivity improvements including energy savings will accelerate as well, but these initiatives simply cannot overcome the impact of our increased costs to produce titanium dioxide. The increases implemented to date and those announced here are required to support the needs of our customers in the growing Latin American market."
DuPont Titanium Technologies is the world's largest manufacturer of titanium dioxide, serving customers globally in the coatings, paper and plastics industries. The company operates plants at DeLisle, Miss.; New Johnsonville, Tenn.; Edge Moor, Del.; Altamira, Mexico; and Kuan Yin, Taiwan; all of which use the chloride manufacturing process. The company also operates a plant in Uberaba, Brazil, for finishing titanium dioxide and a mine in Starke, Fla. Technical service centers are located in Uberaba, Brazil; Mexico City, Mexico; Mechelen, Belgium; Kuan Yin, Taiwan; Ulsan, Korea; Shanghai, China; and Wilmington, Del., to serve the Latin American, European, Middle Eastern, Asian and North American markets.
DuPont (NYSE: DD - News) is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.
The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont(TM), The miracles of science(TM) and Ti-Pure(r) are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.
