That Sneeze Will Cost You: Kimberly-Clark Corp....

That Sneeze Will Cost You: Kimberly-Clark Corp. said it plans to raise prices again on some of its Kleenex and Hi-Dri tissue and towel brands as pulp prices continue to soar.

The Dallas-based consumer products and paper company said it raised the price of Hi-Dri paper towels by 9% starting last Monday. It plans to boost the price of Kleenex facial tissue by 8% on July 17 and will increase the price of Kleenex bathroom tissue by 9% on Sept. 1.

Pulp prices have soared to about $825 a ton from $350 in the past year amid increasing worldwide demand. Pulp makes up 30% to 40% of tissue costs.

The price increases are Kimberly-Clark’s second in the last six months and follow Procter & Gamble Co.’s price increases announced last month on its Bounty paper towels, Charmin toilet tissue and Puffs facial tissue. Those price increases take effect July 14.