DigiTimes has reported that polycarbonate prices have
gone up more than 10% over the past few months and that this could have a negative effect on disc manufacturers' already shrinking
profit margins.
Taiwan optical disc makers have noted that average selling prices (ASPs) for raw material polycarbonate (PC)
have increased more than 10% since a November explosion at a plant of leading supplier Bayer Material Science.
The resulting
supply drop for optical disc-use PC has caused ASPs from leading suppliers including GE, Teijin Group and Mitsubishi to rise to US$2.80
per kilogram, representing an increase of more than 10% above previous quotes. ASPs from Taiwan makers have also increased to US$2.70, up
from US$2.40-2.50 previously.
Of course, this probably means that media manufacturers will be raising prices again next
quarter. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes.
