Flint Announces Ink and Chemistry Price Increases

PLYMOUTH, MI—Jan. 7, 2011—Flint Group North America has announced price increases on certain printing inks and pressroom chemistry sold in the United States and Canada. This is in addition to the news ink price increase implemented Jan. 1, 2011 and previously announced increases for blankets and sleeves.

Prices will increase on inks, overprint varnishes and pressroom chemistry as follows, effective Feb. 1, 2011 and subject to existing contracts:

Liquid Packaging & Narrow Web Inks:
All Whites: up to 10%, depending on technology
Solvent Colors: up to 8%

Specific increases for the above products, as well as for nitrocellulose-based clears, other solvent-based clear formulations, and all violet colors will be communicated individually to customers depending on formula make-up and technology.

Print Media Inks:
Sheetfed Conventional: 8%
Heatset—Process: 10%; Blends, Metallics, Fluorescents and OPVs: 12%
Directory: 9%
Publication Gravure: 9%

Print Media Chemicals:
Spray Powders: 8-15%
Press Washes: 8-12%
Web Conditioners: 6-10%
Fountain Solutions: 5-8%
Aerosols: 8-15%

As Diane Parisi, vice president supply chain, Flint Group, explains, “We’re facing challenges on a multitude of fronts: Capacity constraints, government policies around the world, environmental concerns, decreased production of feedstocks, and more.”

Michael Impastato, vice president strategic marketing for Flint Group Packaging & Narrow Web, gives an example of the unprecedented impact these forces have on the cost of raw materials: “Within the last few months alone, nitrocellulose, titanium dioxide and violet pigment have experienced double digit cost increases.”

About Flint Group
Flint Group is dedicated to serving the global printing and packaging industry. The company develops, manufactures and markets an extensive portfolio of printing consumables, including: a vast range of conventional and energy curable inks and coatings for most offset, flexographic and gravure applications; pressroom chemicals, printing blankets and sleeves for offset printing; photopolymer printing plates and sleeves, plate-making equipment and flexographic sleeve systems; pigments and additives for use in inks and other colorant applications. With a strong customer focus, unmatched service and support, and superior products, Flint Group strives to provide exceptional value, consistent quality and continuous innovation to customers around the world. Headquartered in Luxembourg, Flint Group employs some 7300 people. Revenues for 2009 were € 2.1 billion (US $2.9 billion). On a worldwide basis, the company is the number one or number two supplier in every major market segment it serves. For more information, please visit www.flintgrp.com.

Source: Company press release.