Huber announces global price increase for paper grade silica and silicates

ATLANTA, Aug. 1, 2008 (Press Release) - Citing an unprecedented escalation in energy, raw material and transportation costs, Huber Engineered Materials (HEM), part of J.M. Huber Corporation, today announced a global price increase for its Dental, Paper and Specialty Silica and Silicate grades.

The increase will be implemented between Aug. 15 and Sept. 1, 2008, or as contracts allow. Prices will increase an average of up to 15 percent – dependent upon the product grade and form.

“The hyperinflation of oil and natural gas has led to dramatically higher energy and freight costs and there is also continued acceleration of raw material costs,” says Martin Schulting, director of global sales for Huber’s Silica business. “Costs are growing quickly and in higher amounts than at any time in the last 25 years and cannot be offset by continuing productivity improvements and cost-saving initiatives. Huber’s silica business continues to focus significant efforts on improving the productivity of its operations to reduce the impact of rising costs on its customers.”