Nippon Light Metal to Hike Alumina and Related Products in Jan 2009

Nippon Light Metal announced on Monday the firm raises its selling price for aluminium hydroxide and alumina by 10-15% effective for shipment in and after January 2009. The firm has raised the selling price 8 times since 2003 and the latest hike is implemented a year after the previous hike.

The firm will raise the selling price by more than 10 yen per kilogram for aluminium hydroxide and by more than 20 yen per kg for alumina, raw soda alumina and fused alumina. The firm will also raise the selling price by 3 yen per kg for aluminium sulfate and polyaluminium chloride in January 2009.

Nippon Light Metal implemented the previous hike by 5 yen per kg for aluminium hydroxide of common usages, by 10 yen per kg for aluminum hydroxide of the other usages and by 15 yen per kg for alumina, raw soda alumina and fused alumina. The hike was approved by the consumers.

The firm decided the latest hike when material costs continue surging such for bauxite and caustic soda. Bauxite purchasing price will increase by more than 11% in 2009 from 2008. Meanwhile bauxite grade is lowering by about 5% in 2008 from 2007. Caustic soda consumption is increasing with low grade ores and the productivity is worsening.