By David Reed, UT EditorFlorham Park, New Jersey-With effect from 1 Dec., or as contracts allow, BASF Corp. will increase its list and off-list selling prices for polyalcohols in North America. The materials are used in a wide variety of applications including polyurethane-based coatings, a 16 Nov. statement from BASF explained, and prices will increase as follows:Neopentylglycol (all grades), sold under the Neol tradename: +$0.10 per pound;Hydroxypivalic acid neopentylglycol ester (HPN): +$0.10 per pound;1,6-Hexanediol (all grades) , sold under the HDO tradename: +$0.20 per pound;Caprolactone monomer: +$0.20 per pound; and1,5-Pentanediol: +$0.20 per poundIn addition, sales control measures that BASF initiated for these products in June will remain in effect, the statement said.The price increases are being taken to address recent cost increases, especially for propylene, methanol and benzene, and to enable the company to provide value to its customers now, and in the long term,the statement continued.Polyalcohols are widely used in polyurethanes, alkyd resins, plasticisers, artificial leather, inks, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, adhesives, agrochemicals and synthetic lubricants, and solvent-free or high-solid coatings where they contribute to the reduction of solvent emissions, the company points out. With seven manufacturing plants worldwide, BASF claims to be one of the leading raw material suppliers to these industries."
