WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 18, 2008 -- DuPont Packaging Graphics has announced it will implement surcharges and price increases of up to 10 percent globally, effective Sept. 15.  Specific terms will be addressed regionally.

Flexographic printing plates, inks, substrates and other raw materials continue to be subject to significant cost increases due to the rising price of oil-based feedstocks, energy, freight costs, as well as the recent tight supply of thermoplastic elastomers -- a key raw material in the manufacture of flexographic printing plates. 

"DuPont Packaging Graphics continues to aggressively pursue manufacturing productivity improvements and cost reductions to offset these increases, and we will work with our customers during these unprecedented times as these cost increases move through the value chain," said Lisa DiGate, global business director – DuPont Packaging Graphics.  "However, we must pass along some of these sustained cost increases while we continue to develop new products that position our customers for success," DiGate stated. 

Despite the rising costs, DuPont continues to invest in innovation to ensure that customers maintain their competitive advantage in a challenging global marketplace as demonstrated by the technologies unveiled at DRUPA earlier this year.  "We believe continued focus on innovation ultimately helps our customers to maintain their added value through increased quality and productivity in an environment where costs for substrates, inks and other key raw materials are on the rise," DiGate said.

DuPont Packaging Graphics is the world's leading supplier of flexographic printing systems in digital and conventional formats, including Cyrel brand photopolymer plates, Cyrel FAST processing equipment, sleeves, mounting and finishing products.

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.