Agfa has announced that it will globally increase the prices of its offset printing plates as of August 1.

The company said that due to the ongoing rise of raw material costs, particularly aluminum, energy and packaging materials, in combination with high freight rates, price adjustments have become unavoidable.

Agfa offset plate prices will increase by up to 10 per cent, effective 1 August, as contracts permit.

“This is in addition to the previously announced and implemented increase and will likely be followed by subsequent increases as the trend continues,” the company said.

“The price for aluminium, the key component of an offset printing plate, peaked in June at more than US$2,500 per ton. Prices for packaging materials almost doubled in a couple of months. Freight and transportation services remain under severe pressure in terms of availability and cost.

“The Agfa sales teams will be in contact with their customers to discuss the details and support the implementation, taking into account individual existing agreements.”

Agfa isn’t the only supplier that has introduced price increases for its products.

Fujifilm Corporation recently increased the price of its offset printing plates, processing chemicals, PWB films and inks on a global basis as of 1 May.

In March, Flint Group Packaging announced its intent to increase the prices of its ink and coating products globally, effective from 1 April.

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