AOC Increases Prices On All Isophthalic Based Products
April, 2006 : Collierville, TN, USA
AOC will increase prices by US $0.03 per pound on all Isophthalic based products sold in the United States and Canada shipped on or after May 1, 2006.
Every petrochemical plant on the Gulf Coast was shut down and evacuated due to Hurricane Rita. The BP Texas City refinery was one of the facilities. Following the hurricane, the refinery remains closed. It supplies Flint Hills with their metaxylene to produce PIA. BP has been purchasing Mixed Xylenes and has recently tried to start up their paraxylene plant where metaxylene would be produced, but they have not been successful to date.
Flint Hills has been supplying the US market from their Geel, Belgium plant through Charleston, SC and by shipping metaxylene from Europe to Joliet where PIA can be produced. All of Flint Hill’s safety stock has been depleted and it was forced to declare Force Majeure and allocate PIA for April. As delays in getting the BP refinery running have continued, the allocation has extended into May. The result is a higher cost for all PIA related resins and gel coats.
AOC acknowledges its customers and their support for understanding these difficult times.
AOC continues to invest for the long-term growth and health of the composites industry by providing innovation and capacity to meet the growing demand. The company remains committed to offering customers the best overall value in the market place.
For more information, contact Steve Martin (901) 854-2847; fax (901) 854-7277; e-mail smartin@aoc-resins.com.