By David Reed, UT EditorWyandotte, Michigan-BASF will increase prices for methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and polyether polyols by $0.10 per pound, with effect from 1 Dec. 2004, while its supply-allocation arrangements with customers will continue as a result of continuing high demand, according to a 5 Nov. statement from the firm."Demand has increased substantially over the past year, up about 20 percent for MDI and 10 percent for polyols, while capacities remain tight," said Larry Berkowski, Director of BASF's Urethane Chemicals business in North America. "Furthermore, costs continue to rise for many urethane chemical precursors, such as propylene, propylene oxide, chlorine, benzene and natural gas. We must raise prices to recover margins," he concluded."
