Kurimoto to Hike Ductile Iron Pipe Price by 15-20%

Japanese major casting iron pipe maker, Kurimoto Ltd. will increase the selling price of ductile iron pipe and related products for December shipment. The firm considers 15-20% hike to cover higher cost for ferrous scrap, pig iron and coke. The attempt is the first hike since April 2004. The firm is suffered from higher raw materials cost. Especially, HS and other high grade scrap supply gets tighter nationwide. The firm tried to reduce cost through companywide measurement including renewal of melting facility at Osaka to cover the higher cost price. The firm decided the hike to keep stable supply of the products when the firm cannot cover all of the cost. Japanese cast iron pipe demand has decreased for 9 years in a row though 2006. The demand is expected not to expand though some renewal demand helps the slightly recover for the market since 2006.