Dow Chemical issues rash of price hikes

Dow Chemical in June issued a rash of price increases for North American buyers. Among them: acrylic acid and esters up 3–5¢/lb; vinyl acrylic emulsion products up 3¢/lb; high-temperature thermal fluids up 9%; and chelating agents up 5¢/lb.

Degussa unitpushes 15% hike

Degussa's Goldschmidt Chemical Corp. unit will increase prices in its Industrial Specialties and Household Care lines up to 15% in North America. The increase includes, but is not limited to, amines, amine derivatives, quaternary compounds, selected organo modified silicones, surfactants, and specialty additives.

Cabot settles carbon black price-fixing suit

Specialty chemicals maker Cabot Corp. has settled a class action price-fixing lawsuit for $10 million. The carbon-black maker denied any wrongdoing of any kind in the suit that alleged it and other carbon-black producers conspired to fix prices.

Titanium dioxideprice hikes pushed

Several titanium dioxide suppliers announced a 5¢/lb price increase for all titanium dioxide (TiO2) grades sold in North America. Among those pushing price increases for July 1 were: DuPont, Tronox and Kronos. DuPont's Titanium Technologies division is increasing its prices for Florida zirconby $50/ton effective July 1.