competition, page-4

Huber Engineered Materials
Monday said it will increase prices in North America across its entire "industrial specialties" kaolin clay portfolio.
The increase is effective October 1, 2006, or as current contracts allow. Many kaolin prices will increase significantly dependent upon the product grade, volume and form, the company said. Kaolin is used in coatings for paper, in paints and rubber, and in thermoplastics, among other things.
Huber said that while it has worked to improve its productivity and processing efficiencies in an effort to maintain cost competitive products and services, the price increase was needed to offset increases in raw materials, energy, transportation and other costs.