Showa Denko to Increase Cerium Oxide Polishing Agent

Showa Denko announced on Monday the firm increases cerium-oxide-based polishing agent selling price for November shipment to pass the higher cost price of cerium oxide due to the export regulation by Chinese government. The selling price increases by more than 3,500 yen per kilogram for product in dry fine particle, by more than 700 yen for 20% slurries and by more than 875 yen for 25% slurries.

Rare earth market price increased to US$ 50 per kilogram and supply volume decreased due to the export regulation by China. Showa Denko has asked the users to reduce the purchase volume of cerium-oxide-based polishing agent.

Cerium-oxide-based agent is mainly used in surface polishing of glass substrate including liquid crystal display. The supply is expected to keep tight when Chinese government shows no sign to increase rare earth export volume when the polishing materials demand recovered the level in April-June 2008.