Leading manufacturers of optical discs in Taiwan plan to raise quotations for DVD+R/-R discs by an average of 10% next quarter.
Although any increase in their gross margins, the increasing cost of optical-grade
polycarbonate (PC) to US$3.5 per kilogram (kg) is expected to affect the retail price
of the media, as
Digitimes reports.
After hovering for several months at a record-high price of US$3.5/kg, the price of
optical-grade PC dropped to US$3.2-3.3/kg in April of this year. However, the price
has recently pushed back up to US$3.5/kg, as Benzene, an important material for PC
production, has seen its price jump on rising oil prices, the sources explained.
In related news, optical-disc makers CMC Magnetics, Prodisc Technology, Gigastorage
and Lead Data all recently stated that they will not deal out any dividends for their
2004 operation.