The company said the situation had been caused by knock-on increases due to a 40% shortfall in the amount of ethyl acetate reaching the market. The substance is used as a fast-drying solvent in the manufacture of gravure and flexo packaging inks.
Sun Chemical corporate vice president Richard Pettifor said: The force majeure situation on ethyl acetate has been ongoing since June, and is predicted to continue for the foreseeable future.
We cannot continue to absorb this increase. Consequently we regretfully have to pass this on to the flexible packaging market.
BP Chemicals, Europes largest producer of ethyl acetate, has had manufacturing problems at its Hull site, which is operating well below capacity.
Publication gravure inks, which are based on toluene, are unaffected by the supply problem.
Have your say in the Printweek Poll
Related stories
Latest comments
"I am so pleased that all the staff at Reflections who were made redundant will finally get the money they are owed. Unfortunatly for all the staff at Wren Packaging who were made redundant, myself..."
"Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this Jo, and PrintWeek!
Please feel free to get in touch with the Howden Print Team to arrange your own Free of Charge Cyber Micro-Penetration Test to help..."
"I never quite understand the statements such as "achieved such a positive outcome for this well-established business".
The established business unfortunately failed and no longer exists, a..."
Up next...
Commitment, presence and energy will be much missed
Tributes paid to Lascelle Barrow
Around 300 roles may be affected
International Paper to close five UK packaging sites
Asset ownership delayed process
Reflections to be liquidated
'Start of a new era'