A fresh spur in the rates of phenol & Kraft paper, in addition to the imminent impact of Anti-dumping duty recommendation on melamine import, has shoved the laminate producers into perplexity as the production cost is soaring beyond their means to curb the impact.
Phenol prices have reported to touch 180 in North India, and 176 at Kandla Port. Melamine prices have strengthened by 10 % in a month whereas as C - grade Kraft Paper also getting at higher side.
As per the Ply Reporter’s, the major impact has been witnessed in the liner and 0.8 mm Laminates segment which is no longer a profit yielding product for the laminate industry. With profit margins shrinking due to rising input costs, manufacturers are considering price hikes to mitigate losses and maintain business sustainability.
Apart from domestic markets, the soaring sea freight rates has mounted further pressure on imported raw materials such as paper and plates.
Price hikes may affect customer purchasing decisions and put further pressure on market demand. In such scenarios, appropriate pricing strategies and effective cost management have become crucial for laminate companies to safeguard their interests.