This price rise took effect on Mar. 4 and was implemented, says the company, to face the unprecedented rise in raw materials and energy costs.

"Despite our best efforts to offset rising costs by productivity performance improvements, Rhodia Silcea is obliged to pass on the increase through the price of its silica to ensure sustainable margins," explains Peter Browning, global silica business director for Rhodia Silcea.

The company claims it “continuously strives” to counteract escalating costs with productivity programmes and other containment measures. Despite this, it claims that the “sustained magnitude of cost increases makes this price rise absolutely essential and unavoidable.” (Tyres & Accessories/Staffordshire, U.K.)