Crude Oil Prices Push Up Ink Costs

PLYMOUTH, MI/WEST CHICAGO, IL—Rising crude oil prices continue to put pressure on ink makers to find ways to recoup cost increases. Imposing a surcharge of $0.10/lb. on all heatset, coldset and news inks, is the approach being taken by the Flint Group North America Publication and News Inks divisions. Central Ink is implementing a range of price increases, including $0.12/lb. on all non-heatset black inks and 8 percent on colors, as well as a flat 6 percent for all heatset inks. Additionally, Sun Chemical’s Performance Pigments division is raising pigment prices by 10 to 30 percent. All of these increases are effective July 1.