By Patrick Raleigh, UT On-line/news editorAuburn Hills, Michigan-Dow Automotive is raising prices for its glass bonding systems, structural and plastic bonding adhesives, sealers, foams and reinforcing composites by up to 12 percent. The global increases to take effect from 1 Sept, are to offset recent hikes in raw material, packaging and freight costs, said a company announcement."For several years, Dow Automotive has been absorbing and offsetting the effect of these cost increases," said George Hamilton, president, Dow Automotive. "The time has come when we must pass along some of the recent increases to improve profitability levels for our stakeholders," he added in a 30 July statement.Dow Automotive supplies around $1300 million of plastics, adhesives, sealers, acoustic foam and systems to the global automotive industry. Urethane-based products, typically adhesives, NVH foam products and RIM materials, represent around 35-40 percent of the firm's sales. "
