Two major PVC producers have announced a 2 cents/lb October priceincrease, a source told Platts Friday.

Shintech and Oxy were heard to have led the push for the increase whileWestlake could follow. Shintech and Georgia Gulf had confirmed theannouncement however there was no word from the other major producers.

Sources pointed to the increasing costs of ethylene and higher crude oilprices as justification for the increase.

The increase may be difficult to pass, some sources said, as the latestincrease would mark six PVC price hikes in the past eight months. There wereannouncements for July and a September price hike of 3 cents/lb, led byGeorgia Gulf, was killed when other producers failed to follow.

Sources pointed to the softening domestic and export markets as potentialimpediments to passing through the increase.

Meanwhile, domestic PVC prices were at 46-47 cents/lb delivered railcarfollowing a widely accepted of a 2 cents/lb August price hike.