By Liz White, UT staffResearch Triangle Park, North Carolina-Reichhold is raising off-list prices for all alkyds, polyesters and oil-modified urethanes sold into the North American coatings market, the firm announced 9 March. All soya-based products will be increased $0.02/lb while oil-modified urethanes-sold as Urotuf-as well as all other alkyds and polyesters, will see a $0.04/lb increase. These increases take effect 1 April 2005, or as contracts allow, said Rheichhold. Tony Rende, business director for Reichhold's North American coatings business, said raw materials pricing pressure and transport costs were factors in the decision: "With no immediate relief in sight, we must adjust our pricing to reflect these market conditions in order to minimise continued margin erosion," he added. "
