Japan-based Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha (ISK) on Monday announced its second price increase in three months for its TiO2 products sold in Asia. Effective 1 October, 2009, prices in Asia would increase by $150/tonne (€105/tonne), the company said in a statement. The price increase was necessary to improve margins, which would enable reinvestment in its business, the company added. ISK last announced in June a $100/tonne hike, effective 1 July. With ISK’s latest announcement, all major TiO2 suppliers in Asia, including global leader Dupont, had now announced a $150/tonne price hike effective either September 1 or October 1. Asian TiO2 spot prices were last Friday assessed at $2300-2460/tonne CFR Asia, a $50-60/tonne (€35-42/tonne) increase over the previous week on the back of higher discussion levels, according to global chemical market intelligence service ICIS pricing. 日本ISK宣布了3个月以来的第二次提价--提价$150,10月1号生效。