US producer of nonwovens, Polymer Group, Inc. (PGI) has announced price increases on its nonwoven roll goods in North America of up to 12%, due to rapid increases in raw material and energy costs. The increases, effective October 1, will apply primarily to products with petroleum-based raw materials including polyester, polypropylene and polyethylene. In addition to this, price increases of up to 15% will be implemented for certain oriented polyolefin products. Outside of North America, the company will implement price increases on polypropylene-based products, with the amount of price impact dependent on local market factors.

"Hurricane Katrina's impact on the US Gulf Coast has resulted in dramatic increases in raw material ingredients and energy costs for PGI's suppliers. In response, our suppliers are increasing prices to PGI. The company is proactively working to mitigate the impacts as much as possible, but the severity and swiftness of the increases necessitate taking additional steps," said James Schaeffer, PGI chief executive officer.