Kraton Corporation raises global polymer prices due to rising raw material, energy, and freight costs amid ongoing geopolitical instability pressures.
Kraton Corporation, a globally recognized manufacturer of specialty polymers and premium bio-based chemicals derived from pine wood pulping co-products, has announced a significant increase in prices across its entire polymer product portfolio. The company stated that the price hike will range between $440 per metric ton and $700 per metric ton, depending on the specific type of polymer and the location of production facilities. The implementation of these revised prices will also depend on existing contractual agreements with customers.
According to the company, the decision to raise prices comes in response to persistent and substantial cost pressures affecting its operations. In recent months, Kraton has experienced sharp increases in the cost of key raw materials essential for polymer production. In addition to this, escalating energy prices have further strained manufacturing expenses, while rising freight and logistics costs have added another layer of financial burden.
The company emphasized that these cost increases are not temporary but have shown a sustained upward trend, making it increasingly difficult to absorb them internally without impacting business sustainability. Kraton also pointed to ongoing geopolitical uncertainties as a major contributing factor to market instability, which has disrupted supply chains and intensified pricing volatility across global markets.
Given these challenges, Kraton indicated that the price adjustments are necessary to maintain operational efficiency, ensure continued product availability, and support long-term investments in innovation and supply reliability. The company reaffirmed its commitment to delivering high-quality polymer solutions to its global customer base despite the challenging economic environment.
The revised pricing structure is scheduled to come into effect from April 1, 2026, and customers worldwide are expected to be notified in accordance with contractual terms and regional business practices.
Kraton Corporation is a globally recognized leader in the production of specialty polymers and high-performance products sourced from renewable raw materials. Its advanced polymer solutions are utilized across a broad spectrum of industries, including adhesives, coatings, sealants, lubricants, and consumer as well as personal care products. In addition, these materials play a vital role in sectors such as medical devices, packaging, automotive manufacturing, paving, and roofing applications.
As the world’s largest supplier within the pine chemicals sector, Kraton also specializes in pine-derived products that cater to key markets like adhesives, road construction, infrastructure development, and tire manufacturing. Beyond this, the company manufactures and markets an extensive portfolio of performance chemicals designed for diverse industrial uses. These include applications in fuel additives, oilfield operations, coatings, metalworking fluids, lubricants, inks, and mining processes.
With a strong global footprint, Kraton serves a wide and varied customer base spanning more than 70 countries, reinforcing its position as a major player in both polymer innovation and bio-based chemical solutions.
