Metal/Mining: Dupont raises titanium dioxide prices

DuPont Titanium Technologies raises titanium dioxide prices due to rising cost increases

Wilmington, Del. (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - DuPont Titanium Technologies today announced its second global price increase for titanium dioxide in two weeks in an attempt to keep pace with rapidly rising costs of energy and raw materials.

Increases announced today become effective on July 15. These increases, of approximately $150 (USD) per ton, are in addition to those announced two weeks ago. Those increases take effect on July 1.

"We believed the increases announced earlier in June would be adequate to offset rising costs, but with oil now approaching $140 (USD) per barrel, there is simply no alternative to this action," said Richard C. Olson, vice president and general manager -- DuPont Titanium Technologies.

"We don't take these unprecedented steps lightly because we know they will travel eventually down the entire value chain." Olson said the cumulative effect of increases announced since the beginning of 2008 would result in third quarter DuPont titanium dioxide prices that are approximately 15 percent higher in U.S. dollars compared to the beginning of this year. He said specifics of the latest increases will be announced shortly in the various regions.

DuPont Titanium Technologies is the world's largest manufacturer of titanium dioxide, serving customers globally in the coatings, paper and plastics industries. The company operates plants at DeLisle, Miss.; New Johnsonville, Tenn.; Edge Moor, Del.; Altamira, Mexico; and Kuan Yin, Taiwan; all of which use the chloride manufacturing process. The company also operates a plant in Uberaba, Brazil, for finishing titanium dioxide and a mine in Starke, Fla. Technical service centersare located in Uberaba, Brazil; Mexico City, Mexico; Mechelen, Belgium; Kuan Yin, Taiwan; Ulsan, Korea; Shanghai, China; and Wilmington, Del., to serve the Latin American, European, Middle Eastern, Asian and North American markets.

DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

6/19/08
Contact: Kimberlie A. Lantz
302-999-2361
kimberlie.a.lantz@usa.dupont.com
SOURCE: DuPont Titanium Technologies
CONTACT: Kimberlie A. Lantz of DuPont Titanium
Technologies,
+1-302-999-2361,
kimberlie.a.lantz@usa.dupont.com
Web site: http://www.titanium.dupont.com

Technology: DuPont Titanium Technologies announces a price increase

DuPont Titanium Technologies announces a price increase for titanium dioxide products in all regions

Wilmington, Delaware (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Business Cites Rising Costs of Energy, Raw Materials and Transportation DuPont (NYSE: DD) has announced that prices for its Ti-Pure(R) titanium dioxide (TiO2) products will increase by July 1 due to rapid and substantial increases in the costs of energy, raw materials and transportation. While specifics will vary by region, customers can expect the rapid implementation of previously announced price increases, additional increases and, in some geographies, energy-related surcharges.

"The need for immediate structural improvement in prices is unprecedented," said Richard C. Olson, vice president and general manager -- DuPont Titanium Technologies (DTT).

"We expect to increase the global pricing structure by as much as 8 per cent in coming weeks."

Olson said price increases announced during the first half of 2008 were intended to compensate for expected increases in energy, raw materials and transportation costs, but the magnitude of recent increases in these costs led DTT to take these pricing actions.

"It is imperative that we pass along some of these unanticipated costs if we are to continue investing in our TiO2 business to sustain ongoing operations," Olson said. "Of course, we plan aggressive cost, productivity and energy improvements as well, but realistically, these initiatives simply cannot overcome the negative effects of external forces on our production of TiO2."

DuPont Titanium Technologies will make regional announcements to inform customers about specific pricing actions in their areas.

DuPont Titanium Technologies is the world's largest manufacturer of titanium dioxide, serving customers globally in the coatings, paper and plastics industries. The company operates plants at DeLisle, Miss.; New Johnsonville, Tenn.; Edge Moor, Del.; Altamira, Mexico; and Kuan Yin, Taiwan; all of which use the chloride manufacturing process.

The company also operates a plant in Uberaba, Brazil, for finishing titanium dioxide and a mine in Starke, Fla. Technical service centers are located in Uberaba, Brazil; Mexico City, Mexico; Mechelen, Belgium; Moscow, Russia; Kuan Yin, Taiwan; Ulsan, Korea; Wilmington, Del.; and Shanghai, China, to serve the European, Middle Eastern, United States, Asian and Latin America markets.

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere.

Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and
apparel.

The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont(TM), The miracles of science(TM) and Ti-Pure(R) are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.

Contact: Kimberlie A. Lantz
302-999-2361 kimberlie.a.lantz@usa.dupont.com

SOURCE: DuPont Titanium Technologies
CONTACT: Kimberlie A. Lantz of DuPont Titanium Technologies,+1-302-999-2361, kimberlie.a.lantz@usa.dupont.com
Web site: http://www.titanium.dupont.com