Great Lakes Chemical Corp. announced recently that it will raise prices for phosphate esters 7 percent, effective March 1. The increases were attributed to rising costs for energy and raw materials. Phosphorus prices have risen significantly, other suppliers said.

Great Lakes, which is based in Indianapolis, is one of two principal suppliers of phosphate esters for the North American lubricant industry, which uses the material in high-temperature and fire-resistant applications. The other main supplier is Akzo Nobel Chemicals, although Uniqema also makes specialty phosphate esters, mostly for metalworking fluids.