All Huntsman ethyleaneamine products will increase by 10 cents per pound with the exception of ethylenediamine, which will increase 15 cents/lb and N-aminoethylpiperazine (AEP), which will increase to $2.30/lb for all AEP customers. The largest application area for ethyleaneamines is in ashless dispersants for engine oils and in other lubricants, and in some dispersant-detergents for fuels. Prices for substitute propylamines will rise an average of 10 cents/lb.

Huntsmans Jeffox functional fluids will increase by 5 cents/lb. The functional fluids, which are derivatives of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, are used as lubricants, solvents, heat transfer fluids and chemical intermediates.

Huntsmans Morpholine and Diglycolamine Agents will increase by 5 cents/lb. Morpholine is a corrosion inhibitor and an intermediate for textile lubricants. Diglycolamine is used as a selective solvent for recovery of aromatics from refinery streams, and in preparation of metalworking products.

Prices for aminopropylmorpholine, a morpholine derivative, will go up 10 cents/lb. It is used as an intermediate for lube oils and fuels, and specialty surfactants.

These increases are necessary due to escalating costs for energy, packaging and raw materials, as well as for Huntsman capital investments needed to ensure uninterrupted product supply, the company said.

Midland, Mich.-based Dow on March 12 said it would raise list and off-list prices by 3 cents to 5 cents per pound on a number of its oxygenated solvents in North America effective April 1, or as contracts allow. The company attributed the increase primarily to raw material costs.

Despite continuous improvements in our manufacturing efficiency, we cannot absorb record price levels for raw materials, said Martin Sutcliffe, Dows global business director, glycol ethers. This price increase is imperative to maintain margins and reinvest in the future growth of our business.

Oberhausen, Germany-based Oxea on March 7 announced it would increase prices effective April 1, or as contracts allow, on a variety of amines by 50 (U.S. $78) per metric ton to 140/mt in Europe, by 3 cents to 10 cents per pound in the Americas, and by $75/mt to $220/mt in Asia.

Cincinnati-based specialty chemical supplier Pilot announced price increases effective April 15 or as contracts allow on chemicals used in metalworking fluids, including Aristonate alkyl aryl sulfonates of 1 cent to 4.5 cents per pound, and Aristonic acids of 3.5 cents to 5 cents per pound. Calimulse emulsion aids will rise 1 cent to 7 cents per pound, and Calamide amides will go up by 18 cents per pound.

According to Pilot, the increases are a direct result of increased raw materials, energy and transportation costs.