WILMINGTON, Del., Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- DuPont Titanium Technologies today announced a price increase for all DuPont titanium dioxide (TiO2) grades sold in North America. Effective Oct. 15, 2007, or as permitted by contract, North American (United States and Canada) prices for DuPont coatings, plastics, specialty, paper, and laminate titanium dioxide grades will increase by six (6) cents per pound (US$). The increases implemented to date in 2007 still leave prices well below the levels required to offset both recent structural cost increases as well as ongoing cost increases. DuPont Titanium Technologies will continue to work to offset these increases in the cost structure with productivity initiatives, but such initiatives alone cannot be expected to offset the significant increases to costs. "The rapidity of cost increases requires us to renegotiate contracts that provide for the delayed implementation of announced price increases," said Ian Edwards, global business director of DuPont Titanium Technologies. "At a time when the market for many of our purchased materials and services is extremely volatile, we must have the ability to respond to those cost pressures quickly if we are to remain competitive." In addition to this overall portfolio increase announcement, DuPont Titanium Technologies will implement a price differential between selected elements of the standard offering and selected specialty offering elements in the product line. This will include some grades, some packaging and some logistics. Other regional increases will be announced directly within the local regions. DuPont Titanium Technologies is the world's largest manufacturer of titanium dioxide, serving customers globally in the coatings, paper and plastics industries. The company operates plants at DeLisle, Miss.; New Johnsonville, Tenn.; Edge Moor, Del.; Altamira, Mexico; and Kuan Yin, Taiwan; all of which use the chloride manufacturing process. The company also operates a plant in Uberaba, Brazil, for finishing titanium dioxide and a mine in Starke, Fla. Technical service centers are located in Uberaba, Brazil; Mexico City, Mexico; Mechelen, Belgium; Kuan Yin, Taiwan; Ulsan, Korea; Shanghai, China; and Wilmington, Del., to serve the Latin American, European, Middle Eastern, Asian and North American markets. DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation. Contact: Kimberlie A. Lantz 302-999-2361 DATASOURCE: DuPont Titanium Technologies CONTACT: Kimberlie A. Lantz of DuPont Titanium Technologies, +1-302-999-2361, Web site: http://www.titanium.dupont.com/

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