Notations for unsaturated polyester and vinyl resins and other related products are rocketing upward in the wake of the EUR 90/t rise in the styrene reference contract for March. A number of composites producers, both in the US and Europe, have announced price increases to take hold over the course of the month.

For its complete portfolio of unsaturated resins and gelcoats, Ashland (Dublin, Ohio / USA; www.ashland.com) has announced hikes of EUR 100/t in the EMEA region with effect from 1 March. Iso-Phthalic resins are being slapped with an additional surcharge of EUR 100/t. Interplastic (St. Paul, Minnesota / USA; www.interplastic.com) is asking USD 0.08/lb more (just over USD 175/t) for its "Corezyn" and "Silmar" product families from 3 March.

From 20 March, resins producer Reichhold (Research Triangle Park, North Carolina / USA; www.reichhold.com) wants to raise North American prices for alkyd- and acrylic emulsions, epoxies and unsaturated polyester resins, among other products, by about EUR 70-155/t. At the beginning of the year, the company announced price increases in Europe for vinyl ester resins and related products as of 1 February – see Plasteurope.com of 09.01.2017.

All three companies cite increasing market tightness for many raw materials as well as maintenance turnarounds that were delayed due to the strong demand at the beginning of the year. Additional price rises are not being ruled out.