31 Oct, 2008 - Ajinomoto Europe has announced a 15% price increase on aspartame produced out if its plant in Gravelines, France.
The company pointed to increased costs for energy, raw materials, wages and transportation as the drivers behind the rise.Ajinomoto’s operation in the United States announced a similar price increase in September.
Mr Norifumi Okita, President of Ajinomoto Sweeteners Europe, said the company had been faced with a level of increased costs that it was no longer to off-set through efficiency savings at its plants in France and Tokyo.
The sweetener giant confirmed the new pricing would come into effect for non-contractual customers immediately, and would be applied as new contracts are made for 2009 and beyond.
The global aspartame market for 2007 was estimated at 17,000 tonnes and thought to be worth almost US$640 million.