The company said the situation had been caused by knock-on increases due to a 40% shortfall in the amount of ethyl acetate reaching the market. The substance is used as a fast-drying solvent in the manufacture of gravure and flexo packaging inks.
Sun Chemical corporate vice president Richard Pettifor said: The force majeure situation on ethyl acetate has been ongoing since June, and is predicted to continue for the foreseeable future.
We cannot continue to absorb this increase. Consequently we regretfully have to pass this on to the flexible packaging market.
BP Chemicals, Europes largest producer of ethyl acetate, has had manufacturing problems at its Hull site, which is operating well below capacity.
Publication gravure inks, which are based on toluene, are unaffected by the supply problem.
Have your say in the Printweek Poll
Related stories
Latest comments
"I have worked in quite a few print sectors, including Walstead in the past. It is all tough, but most will not be surprised that the packaging sector is still growing. However, the service in the..."
""longer run litho work had “now returned to the Far East”?
Is this happening a lot?"
"Thanks Jo, look forward to reading it in due course. Administrators generally argue that they need to act with lightning speed in order to protect the business/jobs, thereby overlooking the fact that..."
Up next...
Revenue up to £3.2m, profits quadupled
Footprint picks up pace of acquisition strategy with Swindon’s C3
Controversy emerges over relationship with potential suitor
National World shares soar on takeover approach
24/7 access for customers
Bakergoodchild launches new SaaS platform
Strategic move for global growth