Converters raise prices of fiber-based packaging as well as ink, lay blame on higher costs for energy, fiber, chemicals, transportation. Caraustar Industries, Inc., Atlanta, GA, plans to increase prices 6% on all paperboard-based converted products effective with shipments 11 August 2008.

Europe-based Iggesund Paperboard, Iggesund, Sweden, adds €100/ton to prices for its Invercote solid bleached board, Incada folding box board effective 1 September 2008. For Incada folding box board, latest increase is on top of 8% price hike, which took effective 15 May 2008.

Graphic Packaging International, Inc., Marietta, GA, boosts prices $50/ton for both coated, uncoated recycled board effective 28 July 2008 on shipments supplied by mills in Pekin, IL; Middletown, OH; Kalamazoo, MI; Battle Creek, MI; Philadelphia, PA; Wabash, IN; Santa Clara, CA. Company also plans to set new freight allowances. On ink side of business, Fujifilm Sericol, Kansas City, KS, raises prices up to 15% on ultraviolet, water-, solvent-based inks used in inkjet, screen, narrow web printing as well as on wide format presses.