Flint has blamed forthcoming price hikes for its nyloflex and nyloprint printing plates on increases in the cost of raw materials and energy.

The ink and printing plate manufacturer said it would be forced to raise its prices in 2012 but it could not clarify how much prices would increase in percentage terms as it will vary across each product range.

Thomas Zwez, vice president operations of Flint Group Flexographic Products, said that the situation had been compounded by capacity shortages stemming from the economic crisis in 2008 and increased global demand from emerging economies.

Eberhard Huter, vice president of sales, said the company had begun contacting its customers directly to inform them about the price increases.

"We will continue to work with them to minimise the impact on their business and find the best solution in order to meet their needs," he added.

Last month Flint announced a Europe-wide 5% increase in prices for its solvent, water-based and UV inks from 1 January 2012 with the company again citing increased raw material costs.

EMEA film and foil business director Kim Melander warned that for some products the price increases could be "considerably higher" and that the 5% figure was just an average.