DIC Australia is increasing prices for all Sun Chemical branded products, alongside its locally manufactured inks, varnishes and coatings, effective from April.

Ian Johns, managing director, DIC Australia and New Zealand, says, “It is being driven by raw material increases. When raw materials come up, we do what we can to stave off price increases, but eventually the barrel becomes empty and you have no choice.

“Price increases will reflect direct increases to DIC Australia and NZ for Sun Chemical branded products.

“Blankets and other graphic products will not be affected to the same degree.

“Pigments, resins and raw materials for inks in general are global commodity items and have been under pressure for some years without price increases to our customers.

“As a Global Group, DIC retain our focus on quality , service and support to meet customer requirements. To maintain these standards and subsequent to unprecedented increases, we must now pass these added costs to our customers.

“Increases will be reviewed by product, and will vary depending on the impact of costs. DIC undertake to minimise increases and will discuss individually with customers. Price increases will be effective from April 1.”

DIC also exports locally-produced inks into Asia, with a focus on water-based corrugated packaging inks.

Rival major producer Flint Group recently also implemented a global price increase of up to nine per cent across its offset and publication gravure inks, coatings and pressroom consumables. Both Flint and Sun Chemical have increased costs earlier this year, seeing a rise in costs for packaging inks in January.

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