Effective 15 April, the number one supplier of microcrystalline cellulose, carrageenan and alginates for the food, pharmaceutical and industrial markets, said it would raise prices for its Avicel brand by 5 to 7 per cent on average, depending on the product line.
Unable to absorb price increases elsewhere in the production chain, the firm said the "action is necessitated by cost increases in raw materials, energy and packaging, which cannot be completely offset by FMC's vigorous and on-going efficiency and cost reduction efforts."
In water, with shear, microcrystalline cellulose forms a three-dimensional matrix comprised of millions of insoluble microcrystals that form a stable, thixotropic gel.
Among FMC's pharma range, Avicel RC/CL water dispersible colloidal excipients are used in the preparation of pharmaceutical suspensions and emulsions, while Avicel CE, a proprietary combination of microcrystalline cellulose and guar gum, is a specialised chewable tablet excipient that provides superior sensory properties, accoridng to the company.
The company also offers NF grades of carrageenan to the pharmaceutical industry. Last month, FMC hiked up prices for its carrageenan gum by up to 8 per cent.