Tokai Carbon CB raising carbon black prices in North America

Tokai Carbon CB, the largest producer of carbon black in the United States, will raise carbon black prices for all grades of carbon black sold in North America effective November 1, or as contracts allow. Tokai also plans to roll all surcharges associated with its US environmental consent decree into its "permanent pricing structure," the company said in a September 11 press release. The company did not provide further details on the price increase. Factors cited in the price increase include higher production costs for carbon black in the United States, specifically costs related to environmental controls, reliability, safety, and personnel.