March 10, 2005

Prices of nicotinic acid and niacinamide in China up marginally; near term prices to remain firm
 

Prices of nicotinic acid and niacinamide in China were up marginally in recent days.

Current offer prices of nicotinic acid issued by Lonza ranged from RMB53-55/kg, with actual transacted prices at the level of RMB51-53/kg. 

Offer prices by Degussa and Adisseo hovered at RMB53/kg, while transacted prices were slightly lower. The differential for local brands was wider with market prices generally stable at RMB50/kg, up RMB1/kg from the beginning of the year.

Current offer prices of niacinamide issued by Lonza ranged from RMB55-58/kg, with transacted prices rising RMB1-2/kg from the start of the year to range from RMB53-56/kg.

Lonza has officially announced that it would increase global prices of nicotinic acid and niacinamide by 10-12 percent with effect from March 15. Prices of nicotinic acid and niacinamide in China are likely to remain firm in the weeks ahead.