• UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • BUSINESS AND DEFENSE SERVICES ADMINISTRATION ;VVe -h-f-i- EY OF PLASTICS The University Library THE PEN1 • VERSITY STATE COLLL ..VAN! A Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from LYRASIS Members and Sloan Foundation For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D.C. - Price http://archive.org/details/worldsurveyofplaOOunit U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • Frederick H. Mueller, Secretary ORLD SURVEY OF PLASTICS 1954 1957 BUSINESS AND DEFENSE SERVICES ADMINISTRATION • H. B. McCoy, Administrator Chemical and Rubber Division • Lowell B. Kilgore, Director 1959 Foreword The plastics industry is dynamic and fast growing. It plays an important role in the economies of the United States and the world. Statistically speaking, the growth rate of the plastics ma- terials industry in the United States is about three times that of the manufacturing industry as a whole. The United States produced about 4.5 billion pounds of plastics materials, valued at ap- proximately $1.25 billion, in 1957— and yet operated below capacity. Since the Korean conflict, the capacity of the United States for producing plastics materials has increased beyond domestic requirements in several areas. Nevertheless, indicative of the industry's confidence in the future, new plants are being constructed. Production of plastics ma- terials abroad has also increased in recent years, especially in Western European countries, and keen competition exists in world markets. This world survey of plastics presents information on the plastics industry in the United States and 53 Free World countries during the period 1954-57. Brief coverage is provided on Soviet plastics activity. Soviet Bloc countries are not discussed because of lack of available data. This publication deals primarily with plastics materials (excluding natural resins, synthetic fibers, and rubber), but plastics products are briefly treated. Information is presented on pro- duction, consumption, imports, exports, distribution and marketing, trade promotion, and equip- ment for processing plastics materials. Prospects for increasing United States participation in foreign markets are also analyzed. The material on foreign countries was obtained principally from economic reports submitted by the Foreign Service of the United States in response to a questionnaire sent out on June 8, 1956, and from official foreign trade data. The Bureau of Foreign Commerce, Department of Com- merce, cooperated in supplying sources of foreign trade statistics. The section on the United States is based on statistics of the U. S. Tariff Commission and the Bureau of the Census, and other information on file in the Chemical and Rubber Division. Certain limitations exist in the availability of statistical data on plastics. This has, in numerous cases, resulted in less adequate coverage than would have been desirable. For many countries, statistical data on the production of and foreign trade in plastics materials are incom- plete or not broken down according to types of plastics materials — such as protein, alkyds, phenolic, and polystyrene— nor on the basis of shipment or production, such as net resin or dry basis. Import and export statistics of many foreign countries do not classify plastics materials separately, or, at best, the separation is incomplete. Even in United States statistics, which are highly developed, annual production data are not available for protein plastics, regenerated cel- lulose, and vulcanized fiber. Although the production of plastics products is large and well developed in many countries, statistics on the industry or on the volume and value of production and shipments are far from complete. Frequently no data are available, or only the number and kinds of molding and ex- trusion machines are given. Even in the United States, no official statistics cover the overall production of plastics products; Bureau of the Census data for plastics products are restricted to the "Fabricated Plastics Products Not Elsewhere Classified" Industry, a residual-type industry, whose products are limited to those which are not classified in other industries. Because in most cases foreign trade statistics do not segregate shipments of products made of plastics materials from those made of other materials, it is impossible to even approximate imports and exports of all plastics products. The sections on n any of the foreign countries originally appeared in separate issues of the monthly CHEMICAL AND RUBBER INDUSTRY REPORT, published by the Chemical and Rubber Division. They have been reprinted here verbatim (except for the consecutive numbering of tables throughout this volume) so that those interested in the plastics industry may have available in one volume worldwide data. In some instances, the reprinted data is supplemented by later informa- tion, and this has been added following a horizontal rule. It has not always been possible to in- clude the latest economic, statistical, and political information for the various countries. A Glossary of Terms is appended for the convenience of the reader. This publication was prepared by B. F. Cooling and Norma Clements under the supervision of T. Allan Davis, Chief, Plastics and Protective Coatings Branch, Chemical and Rubber Division, Business and Defense Services Administration. v , / >-» _ ^ «/>, H. B. McCOY Administrator Acknowledgments Special appreciation is expressed to the following members of the Foreign Service of the United States and others who contributed the basic data on the plastics industry in the various foreign countries. (Embassy-E; C Athens, Greece-E Baghdad, Iraq— E Bangkok, Thailand-E Beirut, Lebanon— E Belgrade, Yugoslavia-E Bogota, Colombia— E Brussels, Belgium-E Buenos Aires, Argentina— E Cairo, United Arab Republic -E Caracas, Venezuela— E Ciudad Trujillo, Dominican Republic Copenhagen, Denmark— E Dusseklorf, ' mv-CG Guatemala, Guatemala — E Habana, Cuba-E Helsinki, Finland-E Hong Kong, B.C.C.-CG Istanbul, Turkey -CG Johannesburg, Union of South Africa— CG Kara i, Pakis Lisbon, Portugal ~\: London, England — E Madrid, Spain — E Managua, Nicaragua— E Contributor 1 ocation ( . Mil 1 iblllol (Embassy--E; Consulate General--CG) B. N. Dertilis Manila, Republic of the Philippines — 3 L. Baskew J. S. Marrow Mexico, D. F., Mexico-E Eldon J. Cassoday Amos Yoder Montevideo, Uruguay— E H. Ayoub Louis C. Nolan Donald E. Larimore H. Davis E. R. Rasales New Delhi, India -E V. Subramanian F. N. Thonus Oslo, Norway— E S. Phillips Charles E. Lilien Panama, Panama— E Fred A. Durling Marilyn D. Sworzyn Paris, France— E H. R. Hellman N. Lardicos Port-au-Prince, Haiti-E Russell C. Heater Frederick Maresch Quito, Ecuador -E Martha C. Carbone Richard C. Desmond Rangoon, Burma— E Don W. Rogers, Jr. Walter F. X. Collopy Rome, Italy— E P. Slernadori H. Grut Carlisle C. Mclvor C. W. Snidering San Jose', Costa Rica-E F. Pena J. Alfred LaFreniere San Salvador, El Salvador -E Robert P. Gwynn T. J. Bannon Santiago, Chile— E Ralph W. Richardson C. A. Bischoff, Jr. Sao Paulo, Brazil-CG Herbert N. Higgins L. Salzer Tobias Hartwick Singapore, Malaya-CG Morris Draper, Jr. Edward J. Bash Stockholm, Sweden— E S. Bolin Virgil M. Elliott Harris R. Hungerford Martin B. Hickman Sydney, Australia-CG Theodore L. Lewis William R. Beckett Taipei, Taiwan C. S. Chiang Victor E. von Lossberg Member, Industrial Gideon A. Uys Development Commi Herman T. Skofield Republic of China D. X. Menezes The Hague, Netherlands— E James C. Haahr A. W. Dias Tokyo, Japan -E H. Lewis J. Ordonez H. Ushijima Malcolm R. Barnchey Toronto, Canada — < :C John L. Hill C. Camilloni Vienna, Austria -E K. Welwert Philip B. Bergfield W. K. Kosek D. Espirito Santo John W. Fisher Robert J. Ballantyne Wellington, New Zealand-E William Kling J. G. Orn Zurich, Switzerland -CG J. Bruder Contents Foreword Acknowledgments Chapter I-Plastics and the Plastics Indus- try Plas'tics Defined The Plastics Industry Plastics Materials Manufacture Plastics Products Manufacture Uses of Plastics Civilian Uses Military Uses Chapter II --World Summary.-. Chapter Ill-North America and the Carib- bean Area The United States Size and Importance of Industry Production, Foreign Trade, and Con- sumption Production by Type , Exports , Imports Technological Developments Competition Among Producers Technical and Trade Associations Marketing and Distribution Foreign Control Regulations U. S. Activities Abroad in Relation to Other Countries Processing Machinery Canada Size and Importance of Industry Imports and Exports Marketing and Distribution Foreign Investment Costa Rica Cuba Dominican Republic El Salvador Guatemala Haiti Mexico Nicaragua Panama Chapter IV-- South America Argentina Size and Scope of Industry Production and Trade Marketing and Distribution Foreign Investment Plastics Processing Machinery Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Ecuador Peru Uruguay Venezuela Chapter V- Europe Austria Belgium (iv) Chapter V— Con. Denmark Eire Fin land France Production and Trade. Structure of the Industry Injection Molding Compression Molding Capital Investment Foreign Capital and Patents Production Costs and Government Policy Research and Development Germany, West Production and Trade Capacity Expansions and Develop- ments Plastics Processing Machinery Greece Italy Net he r lands Norway Portugal Spain Sweden Production Imports and Exports Marketing and Foreign Investment Machinery and Equipment Switzerland Turkey United Kingdom Yugoslavia Chapter VI-Asia and Oceania Australia Burma Hong Kong India Indonesia Iraq Japan Production and Consumption Imports and Exports Marketing, Distribution, and Foreign Investment Plastics Processing Machinery Lebanon Malaya New Zealand Pakistan Philippines , Republic of Taiwan (Formosa) Thailand Chapter VII- Africa Egypt Union of South Africa Chapter VIII -Union- of Soviet Socialist Republics Glossary -Vx WORLD SURVEY OF PLASTICS X-X -+ Chapter I Plastics and the Plastics Industry In comparison with other materials widely used in the manufacture of consumer and producer goods, plastics are the youngest. In fact, the old- est plastic material, celluloid, was invented only 90 years ago— a short time when compared with such materials as wood, metals, and fibers. Since that time, and especially during the past decade, the chemist has invented hundreds of new plastics materials, each having special physical and chemi- cal characteristics and being suitable for specific manufacturing processes, operations, and applica- tions. From a limited use in a few areas of the world, plastics are now widely used throughout the civ- ilized world— ever adding to man's conveniences. PLASTICS DEFINED In the strict sense of the word, a "plastic" is a substance which can be permanently formed or deformed under external stress, usually accel- erated by the application of heat (see Glossary). Such a definition would properly include glass, pottery, cement, clay, and even the metals. Actual- ly, this definition does not describe plastics as generally understood and is too inclusive. Therefore, for the purpose of this publication, a plastic is more properly defined as any of a large and varied group of materials composed wholly or in part of various combinations of car- bon, oxygen, hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine and/or nitrogen, together with certain inorganic or organ- ic substances, which though solid in the finished state is at some stage during its manufacture sufficiently fluid to be formed into various shapes, usually through the application of heat or pressure, or both. This definition embraces not only "plas- tics materials," produced by chemical synthesis, but also "plastics products" produced from plas- tics materials. "Plastics materials" are fre- quently referred to as "synthetic plastics and resin materials." THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY Since its inception less than a century ago, the plastics industry has reached the ranks of the billion -dollar industries. Today, the manufac- turers of plastics materials are the largest cus- tomers of the chemical industry and are growing rapidly. The plastics industry produces plastics ma- terials by means of chemical operations and con- verts some of these plastics materials into plas- tics products of definite shapes by mechanical operations such as processing and fabricating. Plastics materials are chemical materials used in further processing or formulation. The portion of plastics materials used in the manufacture of plastics products throughout the world is impossible to estimate. However, it is estimated that approximately one -half of the our- put of plastics materials in the United States is used in the manufacture of plastics products. Plastics materials are also used for purposes other than the production of plastics products. Large amounts of them are consumed in the manu- facture of protective coatings, laminating plywood, adhesives, and bonding agents. They are also used in treating textiles and paper, and for other uses. Plastics Materials Manufacture Through chemical means the plastics materials industry produces plastics materials and then formulates or compounds them with various other materials, such as fillers, extenders, plasticizers, coloring matter, and lubricants, to produce pow- ders, granules, flakes, pellets, and liquids. In addition, some of the plastics materials manufac- turers cast, extrude, or calender those materials into sheets, film, rods, tubes, blocks, and the like and also make laminated materials 1 — sheets, rods, x Although synthetic resins are used in the pro- duction of plywood, a laminate, the plywood industry in the U. S. is separate and distinct from the plas- tics products industry. (1) or tubes— by impregnating and bonding textiles, paper, glass fibers, or wood with liquid resins. 2 The main groups of plastics materials are: Natural resins Synthetic resins Cellulose plastics (ethers and esters) Protein plastics Regenerated cellulose Vulcanized fiber Synthetic fibers Rubbers A resin is a solid or semisolid organic com- pound or mixture which has no definite melting point and shows no tendency to crystallize. Resins are classified as natural resins, produced direct- ly by or from the products of plants or animals, or as synthetic resins, produced by chemical means. Originally the term "resin" referred ex- clusively to natural resins, primarily of vegetable origin, such as damars, copals, East Indias, mastic, sandarac, and rosin, and of animal origin, such as lac and shellac. In the plastics industry, natural resins are frequently incorrectly referred to as gums or gum resins. This is a misnomer because none of them are true gums. Gums are soluble in water and are insoluble in organic sol- vents or drying oils. Resins, on the other hand, are insoluble in water, but are soluble in organic solvents and drying oils. Synthetic resins are amorphous organic semi- solids or solid materials produced by union (poly- merization or condensation) of a large number of molecules of one, two, or less frequently, three relatively simple compounds. Chemically modi- fied natural resins are also sometimes called synthetic resins. Cellulose plastics result when cellulose extract- ed from cotton or wood is combined to make cer- tain cellulose esters and ethers possessing plas- tic properties, such as cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate, ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate butyrate, and cellulose acetate propionate. Protein plastics are derived from animal or vegetable proteinacious raw material. Casein plastics, derived from milk, are the principal and oldest types. Soybean, zein, lignin, and bagasse plastics are derived respectively from soybean meal, corn, sulfite liquor from pulp mills, and sugar cane. In comparison with synthetic resins, protein plastics are relatively unimportant in quantity and value of output. Regenerated cellulose (cellophane) is a material prepared from hydrated cellulose and obtained by the precipitation in an acid bath of the cellulose from sodium cellulose xanthate. Vulcanized fiber is made usually by the action of zinc chloride, an intramicellar swelling agent, 2 Besides being produced by plastics materials manufacturers, sheets, film, rods, tubes, blocks, and laminated materials are also produced by some processors of plastics materials. upon special absorbent high alpha -cellulose-con- tent papers, preferably derived from rags. The gelatinous swollen sheets are pressed and physi- cally welded together by heat and pressure into a compact material. Synthetic fibers are manmade fibers, in con- trast to such natural fibers as cotton, wool, and silk. Synthetic fibers include cellulosic fibers, such as viscose, acetate and cuprammonium, and non-cellulosic fibers such as protein, polyester, polyamide, acrylic, polyolefin, tetrafluoroethylene, polystyrene, dinitrile, vinyl copolymers, and glass.. Rubbers are of two classes, natural or synthetic elastomers, although they may contain minor por- tions of certain synthetic resins. Natural resins, rubbers, and synthetic fibers are not discussed in this publication. Coverage is limited to those materials set forth under Industry No. 2821, UNITED STATES STANDARD INDUS- TRIAL CLASSIFICATION MANUAL OF 1957: synthetic resins, cellulose plastics, protein plas- tics, regenerated cellulose, and vulcanized fiber. The synthetic resins account for the vast ma- jority, possibly as much as 85 percent, of the total plastics materials discussed in this publication. Synthetic resins are principally of two types — ther- moplastics and thermosetting. Thermoplastics soften when heated, so they may be shaped or formed and then hardened by cooling. This ther- moplastic physical change can be repeated over and over again. Thermosetting materials are plastics which soften under the initial application of heat but which then undergo a chemical change called "setting" to a hardened, or more or less solid form, and become permanently infusible. This process cannot be reversed, so thermosetting ma- terials cannot be resoftened or remolded once they are shaped. The more important plastics materials are: Synthetic resins Thermosetting Phenolic and other tar-acid resins Alkyd resins Urea -formaldehyde type resins Melamine-formaldehyde type resins Polyester resins Epoxy resins Thermoplastics Vinyl and vinylcopolymer resins Styrene resins Polyethylene Coumarone-indene and petroleum polymer resins Rosin esters Acrylic resins Silicones Cellulose plastics (thermoplastics) Cellulose acetate Cellulose acetate butyrate Cellulose acetate propionate Cellulose nitrate Ethyl cellulose Regenerated cellulose Of lesser importance are protein plastics and vulcanized fiber. Plastics Products Manufacture The plastics products industry uses plastics materials. It molds, extrudes, casts, or other- wise processes, fabricates, and finishes plastics and synthetic resin materials, and to a limited extent natural resins (principally shellac), into articles and goods of definite shapes destined either for final consumption or for use as parts of some other products. The industry is com- posed of a large number of molders, extruders, fabricators, and finishers, and a relatively small number of laminators and reinforced plastics manufacturers. Many fabricators produce rigid plastics and many manufacture finished products from plastic film and sheeting. The molders and extruders use molding and ex- trusion powders, granules, pellets, flakes, and liquids; the fabricators use sheets, film, rods, tubes, blocks, special shapes, and laminated mate- rials; the laminators usually use liquid resins and sheets of paper, fabric, and the like, although recently they are laminating several different types of plastic film and sheets; the reinforced plastics manufacturers use liquid resins with re- inforcing materials, such as glass fiber, cloth, paper, and hemp, and form to shape. Molded plastics products are usually made by either the compression or injection process or variations thereof. To a smaller extent, molded products are made by casting. That is, the molten resin is poured into open cavity molds, heat treated, and cooled. Thermoplastics are molded by the injection process and thermosetting plastics usually by the compression process. Thermoplas- tics and, to a lesser extent, thermosetting plastics, are also extruded through dies into tubes, rods, pipes, bars, and profile shapes. Fabrication of laminated and nonlaminated sheets, tubes, rods, and the like into finished plas- tics products or parts employs all types of ma- chines similar to those used in metal working for machining, milling, drilling, planing, punching, grinding, sewing, cutting, and other operations. In the fabrication of sheets and films, various pressure or vacuum forming methods are used to produce three-dimensional articles. Sheets are also fabricated by heat sealing, sewing, di-electric heating, and other means to produce curtains, packages, containers, raincoats, and similar items. Finishing operations include printing, emboss- ing, etching, engraving, lacquering, and metal- izing the film, sheets, and rigid parts. USES OF PLASTICS The reason for the remarkable increase in the uses of plastics lies in their versatility. At first they were thought of as substitutes for other ma- terials such as metals, wood, and animal glues, or only for use in making novelties. Their appli- cations were limited. However, the plastics ma- terials gradually displaced the older materials for many uses, not because of scarcity of the latter but because plastics could do a better job, fre- quently at lower cost. Plastics can be tailor-made with specific physical and chemical properties built in, so to speak, to fit the requirements and accomplish the purpose at hand. Because of the large number and new kinds of plastics materials having special properties and the development of numerous new processing methods capable of higher and speedier output, the use of both plas- tics materials and plastics products has extended into practically every industry. They are used widely for both civilian and military purposes. Civilian Uses They are extensively used in the civilian econ- omy in the containers and packaging, electrical and electronic, agricultural, building and construc- tion, automotive, shipbuilding, railroad, airplanes, business equipment, communication, motion pic- tures, paint and varnish, home furnishing, printing and publishing industries, and in many other fields of industrial activity. Among the unlimited number of products made from thermosetting plastics materials are the following: Tableware Table tops Buttons Closures Lamp reflectors Radio cabinets Hearing aid and electric shaver cases Cameras Electronic devices Television cabinets Handles for electrical appliances Washing machine agitators Tooling and forming discs Radio tube bases Grinding wheels Weighing scale housings Telephone sets Automobile accesso- ries Thermoplastic materials enter into the manu- facture of scores of end-products, some of which follow: Lamp shades Spectacle frames Shower curtains Luggage Gaskets Skylights Garden hose Battery cases Floor and wall coverings Squeezable bottles Draperies Freezer bags Combs Heel covers Food containers Tool handles Gears Vacuum cleaner parts Electrical parts Wall tile Toys Carboys Military Uses Because plastics possess a unique combination of chemical, physical, electrical, optical, and me- Garment bags Instrument panels Coated paper Kitchen utensils Pipe and tubing Slide fasteners Phonograph records chanical properties, and because they can easily be processed and fabricated, they are ideally suited for military applications, such as: radar housings, periscopes, body armour, aircraft domes, windows and structural parts, electronic equipment, field wire, binders and burning- rate controllers for rocket propellents, high-tempera- ture resins for launched or guided missiles, fuse loaders, plugs and covers, signal pistols and grenades, instrument discs and control parts, and many other items. New items are constantly being added to the list. WORLD SURVEY OF PLASTICS Chapter II World Summary World activity in plastics and resin materials is dominated by 7 countries which account for about 95 percent of production, 46 percent of imports, 91 percent of exports, and 89 percent of apparent consumption (production plus imports minus ex- ports) (table 1). These countries produced 7 mil- lion pounds of the estimated 7, 404 -million -pound annual world output in 1955-56: Million Percent pounds of total United States 4,124 55.7 West Germany 1,160 15.7 United Kingdom 726 9.8 Japan 400 5.4 Italy 219 3.0 France ?09 2.8 Canada 162 2.2 Subtotal 7,000 94.6 Other countries 404 5.4 Total 7,404 100.0 Although the United States is by far the largest producer of plastics materials, West Germany has made a remarkable economic recovery in the field since World War II, and Japan, Italy, and France are advancing rapidly. Available world production data by types of ma- terials indicate that the vinyls, phenolics, styrenes, polyethylene, alkyds, and urea and melamine resins were produced in the largest amounts. Total world imports of plastics and resin ma- terials in 1955-56 approximated 906.5 million pounds. The following 15 countries accounted for 76 percent of the total: Million Percent pounds of total Canada 112.0 12.4 West Germany 63.7 7.0 United Kingdom 63.2 7.0 France 55.4 6.1 Japan 51.0 5.6 Netherlands 48.6 5.4 Sweden 40.7 4.5 Denmark 39.1 4.3 Belgium 37.6 4.1 United States 35.5 3.9 Australia 34.9 3.9 Italy 31.7 3.5 Colombia 27.9 3.1 Mexico 25.4 2.8 Switzerland 22.0 2.4 Subtotal 688.7 76.0 Other countries 217.8 24.0 Total 906.5 100.0 The seven principal producers were also heavy importers, accounting for about 412.5 million pounds or 45.5 percent of the total. Total world exports approximated 1,108.3 mil- lion pounds in 1955-56, the following 9 countries accounting for more than 95 percent of the total: (5) Million pounds United States 423.0 West Germany............ 242.6 United Kingdom 190.0 Italy 65.6 Canada 41.7 Netherlands 33.2 France 30.4 Sweden „ 16.6 Japan 15.4 Total 1,058.5 Percent of total 38.2 21.9 17.1 The 7 chief producers exported about 1,008.6 million pounds, or 91 percent, of total world ex- ports of plastics and resin materials in 1955-56. The 10 principal markets for each of the 9 larg- est exporting countries are shown in table 2. These data reveal: The 9 largest exporters carry on considerable trade in these commodities among each other. The United Kingdom has strong export ties with the countries in the British Commonwealth as evidenced by the considerable exports to such distant countries as Australia, Union of South Table I.— Plastics and Synthetic Resin Materials: Estimated World Production, Imports, Exports, and Apparent Consumption, I955-56 1 [ 1,000 pounds] North America and Cai United States Costa Rica Cuba Dominican Republic El Salvador Guatemala Haiti Mexico Panama Total South America: Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Ecuador Peru Venezuela Total Europe: Austria Belgium Denmark Eire (Ireland).... Finland France West Germany Greece Italy Netherlands Portugal Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom Yugoslavia Total See footnotes at en 7 40,270 ( 12 ) 11,635 2,373 27,882 2,261 16,019 37,582 39,072 2,970 18,428 55,348 63,713 4,109 31,713 48,583 7 7,370 40,737 7 22,046 ( 12 ) ( lftj ( 12 ) ( 12 ) ( 12 ) ( 12 ) 13,285 4,052 ( 12 ) ( 12 ) 30,386 242,581 65,607 33,241 5,463 1;1 30,534 162 15 51,905 16 2,902 17 27,882 2,261 18 3,6I8 19 3,433 • 20 7,9H0 39,020 2,970 23 23,349 24 234,399 980,719 4,144 26 I85,398 72,662 27 3I,I24 29 4,468 21,550 92,418 ?0 4l,887 4,250 Table I.— Plastics and Synthetic Resin Materials: Estimated World Production, Imports, Exports, and Apparent Consumption, I955-56 1 — Con. [ I ,000 pounds] Year Production 2 '— " 2 Exports 2 Apparent consumption 3 Asia and Oceania: 35 I956 1955 1956 40 I955 1956 1955 44 I956 1956 1955 1956 1956 1955 1955 1956 1955 1956 60,039 37 1,631 5 400,000 ( 4 5) 190 34,889 7 435 17,832 16,285 5,595 5 ' 43 375 51,005 322 3,255 18,318 46 2,240 5,790 2,332 3,520 5,722 38 l ,727 15,372 2 128 "89,206 435 39 1 6, 105 Indi 41 I7,9I6 Indonesia 1 375 Lebanon 435,633 320 3,127 New Zealand 7 2,240 Philippines Taiwan (Forn Republ ic of osa) - 47 5,790 3,520 Total 461 ,860 5 920 162,193 2,522 8,277 22,951 49 I0 2,522 9,187 Total... 920 10,799 10 1 1 , 709 Grand 7,404,173 906,462 1,108,252 1 f ree wo Id 54 countr es; indie ated. ^Apparent < ons elude prote n Dlas tics, regene ruary 1957, shows 41,300 000 ' J Cons umptio stim ated by ind not s sparately cla ssified indie at ion >f jmption bee USSR and other >s. for indicated. Estimated, :ified pi 6 istry sout exports) unless other Estimated. 6 Canadian Plastics magazine, Feb- (duding those used for "protective coating and other Consumption estimated by industry, 940,000 lbs. /. u 0nly galalith and similar compounds; others ion 26,932,000 lbs.; industry estimate believed better i similar compounds. 14 Less than 0.5 metric ton. jn estimated by industry, about 3,300,000 lbs. an estimated by industry, 2,400,000 lbs. in 1955 and try, 38,552,000 lbs. lu Prel imi nar 12 Negl igi ble. "Apparent consumpl se import data cover only galalith ar 15 Consumption estimated by industry, 50,926,000 lbs. 16 Consumpti 17 Consumption estimated by industry, 27,823,000 lbs. 18 Consumpti 3,330,000 lbs. in 1956. "Consumption estimated by industry, 2-3 million lbs. annually. ""Apparent consumption 6,192,000 lbs.; industry estimate believed better indication of consumption because import data do not contain all plastic materials imported. 21 Total of apparent consumption column for South America; discrepancy with apparent consumption figure obtained by adding production and imports, less exports, attributable to use of industry estimates for apparent con- sumption for 2 countries. "Consumption estimated by industry, 30,644,000 lbs. 23 Consumption estimated by industry, 21,859,000 lbs. 24 Apparent consumption 1954 - 187,044,000 lbs.; consumption estimated by industry 1954 - 188,868,000 lb; "Plasties Producers Association gives 1,113,323,000 lbs. asserting Federal Statistics Office figures include some double count. "Consumption estimated by industry, 175,927,000 lbs. in 1955 and 222,863,000 lbs. in 1956. "Consumption estimated by industry, 29,762,000 lbs. 28 I954. "Official statistics for 1955 - 1,561,000 lbs. 3 °Based on Organization for European Economic Cooperation survey of September 1955, " L' I ndustri e Chemique en Europe," production estimated at 61-68 million pounds, increasing apparent consumption to 70-77 million pounds; another source places con- sumption at 74 million pounds. 31 Production data for vulcanized fiber and cellulosic film not available and not in- cluded in this production figure. "Not including 2,500,000 lbs. imports of vulcanized fiber. "Not including 5,926,000 lbs. exports of cellulose film, sheets, or rolls. ' U I955 apparent consumption was 5,608,000 lbs. and indus- ry estimate was 4,630,000 lbs. "Production, fiscal year 1954-55; imports and exports FY 1955-56. "'Official tatistics place consumption of plastics and resin materials in plastic molding and product factories at 42,375,000 lbs. Y 1955-56. 37 About 1,000,000 pounds of plasticized polyvinyl chloride compounds were made from imported unplast icized yl chloride. 3 Although listed as exports, these must be interpreted as general trade including re-exports (the probably accounting for most of the trade) because production of plastics materials is small. "First 10 months nsumption estimated at 14,072,000 lbs. by Hong Kong Trade Statistics . "Fiscal year April-March following year orts; calendar y. r production. Requiremer bs. "^Industry estimate places annual consumption of f ,690,000 lbs. "Official imports of 795,860 pounds inc ear April-March following year for production; calendar ye o be relatively small. "Plastics materials not separ; ■ for if i, estimate of consumption. Consumption estimated by industry, 5,550,000 lb sumption at 2,230,000 lbs. "Re-exports. "Total of appare crepancy with apparent consumption figure obtained by adding aero; the use of industry estimates for apparent consumption for 2 coun- material estimated by Indus ry at 12,768,000 yethylene , phenol ics, a nd ur a resins at tics mate ials and plast cs p oducts. 44 Fisc and expo ts. "Not avai 1 ble, but believed in impo t statistics; f iqur shown is industry DO lbs. "Official s tatis tics place con- mption cc lumn for all c ountr es; si ight dis- tion plu imports less expor s attributable to Sou re Offic trade statistics of r spectiv )untr Exporting country Percent of world !X ports United States.. Table 2.— Plastics and Synthetic Resin Materials: [Quantity in >untry, quantity. United Kingdom.. Union of South 15,192 Netherlands.. United States 29,362 44.8 Source: Official trade statistics of respectiv Belgium-Luxemburg 3,156 Taiwan (Formosa) 1,841 12.0 Africa, India, and New Zealand. At least part of this trade is attributable to the United Kingdom's favorable position owing to preferential tariff treatment within the Commonwealth. However, the United States, and not the United Kingdom, is the main supplier to Canada. Though to a much lesser extent than the United Kingdom and its Commonwealth nations, France has considerable exports to the French Overseas Territories, 5.3 million pounds in 1955. The geographical proximity of markets seems to have a relationship to the export pattern in many instances. For the United Kingdom, the near European countries—the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, France, and Finland— were the best markets after the Commonwealth countries. West Germany's nine largest markets were in Europe. France's largest single market was Argentina; however, the principal market was Europe, fol- lowed by the French Overseas Territories. Italy's best customer was the United States, followed by the European nations. The Netherlands and Sweden sold most of their exports in Europe. Japan found its best customers nearby— Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, and China. The United States' largest customer was Canada. It is not possible to determine the amount of trade attributable to the proximity of the market because other factors wield considerable influence, particularly for the European countries where dollar shortages, membership in the European Payments Union, and some licensing arrangements favor the European exporter to the disadvantage of the U. S. exporter. Every other major plastics materials producing country except Japan depended more upon exports to support its domestic plastics materials industry than did the United States. The ratio of exports to Principal Markets of Leading Exporting Countries 1,000 lbs. 3 Import ing country, quant countr ty, and percent of to tal ex -*- Mexico West Germany Netherlands Colombi a Belgium Switzerland 19,083 4.5 13,804 3.3 Sweden Belgium ,242 3.1 Great Britain 1,360 2.7 If Denmark ,996 2.6 United States 0.950 2.6 18,166 7.5 17,793 7.3 ,039 j 1 7.0 j 1.079 5.8 l( .626 2.8 Sweden 10,526 5.5 Denmark 9,437 5.0 France ,260 4.9 1 8. 112 4.3 Finland ,773 United States 7,573 4.0 Sweden 1,687 2.6 Switzerland 1 ,610 2.5 Brazil Belgium-Luxumb ,403 1 2.1 urg .349 2.1 Netherl ands ,260 1.9 Egypt .142 1.7 France 3,783 9.1 Switzerland 2,303 5.5 Australia ,641 3.9 United Kingdom 1.578 3.8 Italy .398 3.4 United States 1,318 3.2 Denmark 1,616 4.9 1,565 4.7 Swi tzerl and ,367 Finland 1 ,093 3.3 Indonesia 919 2.8 Venezuela 80 j 2.4 Finland 1,679 5.5 Algeria 1,516 5.0 United States ,176 3.9 West Germany 1 .094 3.6 Spain ,087 3.6 Great Britain 884 2.9 Poland 974 5.8 Brazi 1 635 3.8 Great Britain 582 3.5 Czechoslovakia 538 3.2 Netherlands 439 2.6 China 430 2.6 Spain 860 5.6 United States 821 5.3 indonesia 806 5.2 Thailand 662 4.3 Burma 489 3,2 South Viet-Nam 471 3.1 production for Japan was 3.8 percent and for the United States 10.3 percent. Ratios for the other large producers were France 14.5, West Germany 20.9, Canada 25.8, United Kingdom 26.2, and Italy 29.9; for the smaller producing nations, Australia 9.5, Sweden 24.4, Norway 26.3, Belgium 35.4, Switzerland 40.0, and the Netherlands 58.0. Ap- parently strong foreign competition in international markets is developing. Even in Japan, which has a very low ratio of exports to production, the situation is expected to change when the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry Five Year Plans for greatly expanded output of plastic materials are more advanced. At that time, larger quantities of plas- tics materials, including not only those types now produced but also new ones such as polystyrene and polyethylene, will become available for ex- port. This should not only greatly reduce Japanese plastics imports from the United States, but should elevate Japan as a formidable competitor in the Far East. The limited data available on world exports of plastics and synthetic resin materials by types indicate that the vinyls, polyethylene, styrenes, urea and melamine resins, phenolics, and alkyds were exported in the largest amounts. The difference between estimated world produc- tion and apparent consumption (amounting to about 196 million pounds, or 2.7 percent, of production) is accounted for at least in part by consumption of imports in many nonproducing countries not in- cluded in table 1. The following 14 countries accounted for about 6,859.3 million pounds of apparent consumption, or 95 percent of total consumption: Million pounds United States 3,737.0 West Germany 980.7 United Kingdom 599.3 Japan 435.6 France 234.4 Canada 231.8 Italy 185.4 Subtotal 6,404.2 Sweden 92.4 Australia 89.2 Percent of total 51.9 13.6 Million pounds Netherlands 72.7 Belgium 61.8 Brazil 51.9 Mexico 45.2 Switzerland 41.9 Total 6,859.3 Other countries 348.4 Grand total.. 7,207.7 Percent of total ].._ WORLD SURVEY OF PLASTICS Chapter III North America and the Caribbean Area The North American and Caribbean area is the world's largest producing and consuming area of plastics and synthetic resin materials, accounting for approximately 58 percent of world production and 56 percent of apparent consumption. This area furnishes 42 percent of world exports and ranks after Europe, which accounts for 56 percent of world exports. In imports, the North American and Caribbean area, having 20 percent of world imports, ranks after Europe and ahead of Asia. The United States is by far the dominant country in the area in production, exports, and apparent consumption. Canada leads in imports. Because U. S capacity exceeds domestic consumption, in- creased exports are desirable. The United States, Canada, and Mexico were the only countries in the area that produced plastics materials. However, all countries except the Do- minican Republic manufactured to some extent plastics products from imported plastics materi- als. The Dominican Republic imported only fin- ished plastics goods. Canada, the largest importer, accounting for an estimated 112 million pounds, was the best single market for U. S. plastics and resin materials, tak- ing in 1956 107.8 million pounds, or 25.5 percent, of total U. S. exports. Mexico was a sizable mar- ket, importing about 25 million pounds and ac- counting for about 19 million pounds, or 4.5 per- cent, of U. S. total exports in 1956. Smaller mar- kets in the area were Guatemala, Cuba, Costa Rica, and Panama, all of which imported plastics and resin materials, principally from the United States. Canada, Germany, France, United King- dom and Italy were competing in the Mexican and Caribbean area but supplied little of the imports in 1956. Whereas the United States was by far the largest supplier of plastics materials to the other coun- tries in the North American and Caribbean area, Canada was the only country within the area to send these materials to the United States; thus within the area Canada was both the principal country for U. S. exports and the principal source of U. S. imports. U. S. imports of plastics and resin materials from Canada amounted to about 3.9 million pounds, or 11.0 percent, of U. S. total imports of these commodities in 1956. Europe supplied nearly 86 percent of the U. S. imports of these commodities in 1956, Italy alone accounting for almost 69 percent. Europe was the principal market for U. S. ex- ports of plastics materials taking nearly 35 per- cent in 1956, followed by Canada 25.5 percent, other Americas 20.3 percent, and Asia 14.4 per- cent. THE UNITED STATES Size and Importance of Industry The United States is by far the largest producer, exporter, and consumer of plastics materials in the world and ranks about tenth as an importer of these materials. In 1956 the United States pro- duced about 4,124 million pounds of plastics ma- terials, or approximately 55.7 percent of the es- timated 1955-56 world production; exported about 423 million pounds, or 38.2 percent of estimated world exports; and consumed (apparent consump- tion) about 3,737 million pounds, or 51.9 percent of estimated world consumption. Imports totaled about 35.5 million pounds, or 3.9 percent of esti- mated world imports (table 1). Today the plastics industry— materials manu- facturers, molders, extruders, processors, lami- nators, coaters, and finishers— is recognized as one of the country's fastest growing industries and is a sizable segment in the national economy. Domestic and foreign sales of synthetic plastics and resins materials in 1956 amounted to about (U) 3,610 million pounds, valued at more than $1.1 billion. 1 They accounted for about 17 percent of the sales of synthetic organic chemicals on a quantity basis and more than 20 percent on a dol- lar basis. Sales data are not available for all the industries processing and fabricating plastics and synthetic resins, but the "Fabricated Plastic Prod- ucts Not Elsewhere Classified" industry alone had total shipments valued at some $1.2 billion in 1954. 2 The Society of the Plastics Industry estimated in 1957 that about 5,000 companies were engaged in the plastics industry in the United States, in- cluding both materials manufacturers and plastic products manufacturers. 3 The plastic materials manufacturing industry comprised 180 firms. The plastic products industry comprised 1,815 molders, extruders, film and sheeting processors, high-pressure laminators, reinforced plastic man- ufacturers and coaters, and 3,000 fabricators and finishers. Approximately 48 percent of the firms were located in the East, 34 percent in the Mid- west, 10 percent on the West Coast, 5 percent in the Southwest, and 3 percent in the South. Bureau of the Census data for 1954 covered 206 establishments engaged primarily in the manufac- ture of plastics materials. 4 The companies em- ployed 28,388 production workers who earned $122.2 million in 1954, a 30-percent increase over the 21,810 production workers in 123 estab- lishments in 1947, whose wages totaled $63.3 mil- Uon. The "Fabricated Plastic Products Not Else- where Classified" industry in 1954 comprised 2,439 establishments which employed 75,689 pro- duction workers who earned $249 million and in 1947 comprised 1,362 establishments, which em- ployed 49,502 production workers who earned $119.5 million. 5 The products manufactured by this "residual" type industry are limited to those not separately classified elsewhere in Census sta- tistics and include, e.g., molded plastic products; laminated plastic sheets, rods, and tubes; plastic table and kitchen articles; other fabricated plastic products, and unsupported films and sheets. The "residual" category does not include plastic prod- ucts classified within other industries, such as electrical wiring devices and supplies which are primary products of the Wiring Devices and Sup- 1 U.S. Tariff Commission, Synthetic Organic Chemi- als, U.S. Production and Sales, 1956, Report 200, s, Bureau of the Cen- sus, U.S. Department of Commerce. 3 Plastics— The Story of an Industry , Society of the Plastics Industry, New York, 7th revised edi- tion, October 1957. 4 1954 Census of Manufactures (Plastics Materials Industry), Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce. 5 1954 Census of Manufactures (Fabricated Plas- tics Products Not Elsewhere Classified), Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce. plies industry and are incorporated within the sta- tistics for that industry and are not broken down to show output of the plastic products. Similary, plastic jewelry cases are included in the Jewelry and Instrument Case industry; plastic fishing rods in the Sporting and Athletic Goods industry; and plastic shower curtains in the Housefurnishing industry. An estimated 50 percent of all plastics materi- als produced is used in the production of plastics products. The remaining plastics materials are consumed in manufacturing protective coatings, plywood, adhesives, bonding agents; in treating textiles and paper; and in miscellaneous uses. Names and addresses of manufacturers of the various types of synthetic plastics and resin ma- terials are listed annually in the U. S. Tariff Com- mission's Synthetic Organ i c Chemicals, U. S. Production and Sales. Production, Foreign Trade, and Consumption Production, exports, imports, and consumption of plastics materials in the United States have been increasing rapidly. Production rose from 1,159 million pounds in 1946 to 4,489 million pounds in 1957, a 287 percent increase. Although imports are small in comparison with exports, their rate of growth is much greater. Imports amounted to about 1.6 million pounds, value $534,000, in 1946 and 20.9 million pounds, value $8,255,000, in 1957, an increase of 1,238 percent on a quantity basis. Exports advanced from 75.6 million pounds, value $31.7 million, in 1946 to 513.5 million pounds, value $197.9 million, in 1957, an increase of 580 percent on a quantity basis. Imports were 0.1 percent of production on a quantity basis in 1946 and .5 percent in 1957, and exports 6.5 per- cent in 1946 and 11.4 percent in 1957. Apparent consumption rose from 1,085 million pounds in 1946 to about 3,996 million pounds in 1957, up 268 percent (table 3). Notwithstanding the large increases in domestic consumption and exports of plastics materials, U. S. capacity substantially exceeds production; this fact indicates the desirability or need of in- creased exports. Production by Type Of the 4, 124 -million -pound United States output of plastics materials in 1956, vinyl and vinyl co- polymer resins were produced in the largest quan- tity—about 760 million pounds (resin content), or 18.4 percent. Styrene resins were next with 680 million pounds, 16.5 percent, followed by poly- ethylene resins, 566 million pounds, 13.7 percent; phenolic and other tar -acid resins, 563 million,. 13.7 percent; alkyd resins, 474 million, 11.5 per- cent; urea and melamine resins, 342 million, 8.3 percent; coumarone-indene and petroleum poly- mer resins, 260 million, 6.3 percent; cellulose Production (quantity): Plastic and resin material Cellulose plastic 2 Total Sal I (qui Plastic at Cellulose Total.. tity): Production (quantity): Sales (quantity): erials (value) Imports": Exports 5 : Value 2,727. 981 56,209 1,430,667 21,571,000 pound 1954, data not avai lable; i Kample, 40,000 pounds s in 1955 and 17,000 | 5 Contain a negl igil of regenerated ci imports minus e: Dunt and consumption data shov 35 and 38,000 pounds in I in 1956; and an indetern Dunt of protein plastics: ted States Productic lal data for 13,635,000 pc iausage casin u Contai $0.33 35,502 169,793 3,736,983 i of the Census, U.S. Dei 1946-57, U.S. Tariff Commission; Facts ius, U.S. Department of Commerce; United ll 1946-57, Report No. FT 110, Bureau of ;ign Merchandise, Commodity by Country rtment of Commerc Table 4.— U. S. Production and Sales of Plastics and Resin Materials, Grouoed According to Chemical Composition, 1956 I Quantities and values are given in terms of the total weight of the materials (dry basis).] PLASTICS AND RESIN MATERIALS, BENZENOID Total.. Materials for which separate statistic Materials for which separate statistic Coumarone-indene and petroleum polymer Epoxy r Unmodi' Modi fie Epic :>rohyc lenolic and other tar-acid resins, tc Unmodi f ied, total Bi sphenol -formaldehyde p-tert- Butyl phenol -formaldehyde. Cresol s-formaldehyde Cresylic acid-formaldehyde Phenol-formaldehyde Phenol-fu Resc All other. )dified, tol Bisphenol- -fural lol-font ormaldehyde-rosin, . . . 1 phenol-formaldehyde- aldehyde-aniline aldehyde-rosin Unmodified, total.. Phthali Phthali Phthali Phthal i Phthali! All othi Modified, tot anhydride-glycerol anhydride-glycerol -glycol anhydride-glycerol-pentaerythri tc anhydride-glycerol-sorbi tol anhydr ide-glycol-pentaerythri tol . anhydride-pentaerythri tol : anhydride-adipic acid-glycol : anhydride-benzoic ac i d-glycerol : anhydride-fumaric aci d-gl ycerol : anhydride-fumaric ac i d-gl ycerol-rosin. . : anhydr ide-gl ycerol -pentaerythri tol-pher 1-formaldehyde- Phthalic anhydride-glycerol-pentaerythri tol-rosin and tall oil. Phthal ic anhydr ide-gl ycerol -phenol -formaldehyde Phthal ic anhydride-glycerol-phenol-formaldehyde-rosin Phthal ic anhydr ide-gl ycerol -rosin Phthalic anhydride-maleic anhydride-glycerol Phthal ic anhydride-maleic anhydride-gl ycerol-pentaerythritol . . . Phthalic anhydride-maleic anhydride-glycerol-pentaerythritol- Phthalic anhydride-maleic anhydride-glycerol-rosin Phthalic anhydride-maleic anhydride-pentaerythri tol Phthalic anhydride-maleic anhydride-pentaerythri tol-rosin or tc See footnotes i pounds, 3,977,469 pounds, 3,464,710 3,514 2,615 2,058 679 7,770 1,758 7,488 2,793 2,970 1,054 5,628 1,835 i in terms of the total weight of 1 PLASTICS AND RESIN MATERIALS, BENZENOI D— Continued Polyester resins, total 4 Phthalic anhydride-maleic anhydride-glycol-sty rene All other Sty rene res ins, total Polystyrene Styrene-acrylon i tri le copolymer Styrene-alkyd polyester resins, total Phthalic anhydride-glycerol-pentaerythritol -sty rene Phthalic anhydride-glycerol-styrene All other Styrene-butadiene copolymer Styrene-d i vinyl benzene copolymer All other styrene resins PLASTICS AND RESIN MATERIALS, NONBENZENOID Tota 1 Materials for which separate statistics may not be shown Materials for which separate statistics are shown below Ace tone- formaldehyde resins Alkyd resins (except phthalic), total Unmodified, total Maleic anhydr i de-pen tae ry th r i tol All other Mod i f i ed, tota 1 Fumaric acid-glycerol -rosin Fumaric acid-pentaerythri tol -rosin Maleic anhydr ide-glycerol-pentaerythri tol -rosin Maleic anhydr ide-glycerol-rosi n Maleic anhydride-glycol-rosin Maleic anhydr ide-pentaerythri tol-rosi n Maleic anhydride-pentaerythr i tol -tal 1 oil All other Polyethylene resi ns Rosin and terpene adduct resins, total Fumaric acid-rosin A 1 1 other Rosin and tall oil esters, unmodified, total Rosin-glycerol Ros i n-gl ycerol-pentaery thr i tol Rosin-pen tae rythr i tol Tall oil-pentaerythritol All other Silicone resins Urea and melamine resins, total Urea-formaldehyde type, total Butyl urea-formaldehyde Urea-formaldehyde All other See footnotes at end of table. 15 Table 4. — U. S. Production and Sales of Plastics and Resin Material; Chemical Composition, 1956— Con. [Quantities and values are given in terms of the total weight of the matei Grouped According to PLASTICS AND RESIN MATERIALS, NONBENZENOID— Cont i nued slamine-formaldehyde type, total Melamine-formaldehyde Al 1 other and vinyl copolymer resins (n jlyvinyl acetate 6 ilyvinyl chloride and copolymer lore polyvinyl chloride) 1 other vinyl resins 7 i content), total sins (containing 50 t 96,305 70,999 25,306 ,154 86,455 63,619 22,836 36,822 Calculated on rounded figures. 2 Dry basis, for the purpose of this report, is del Hers, extenders, colors, and stabilizers, and excl ^Includes data for aniline-formaldehyde, toluenesul fonamide, and other benzenoid plastics and res ^Polyester resins, for the purpose of this report, include unsaturated alkyds, copolymerized with tyrene, and poly al 1 y 1 resins such as dial 1 y 1 phthalate or allyl diglycol carbonate. Data for styrene-alkyd polyesters >r protective coatings are not included in this group. Includes data for acrylic, polyamide, and other nonbenzenoid plastics and resin materials. includes some data for copolymers of polyvinyl chloride and polyvinyl acetate which are included in table 20 in the Latistics for polyvinyl chloride and copolymers. includes data for polyvinyl alcohol, butyral and formal, and for copolymers containing less than 50 percent polyvinyl iloride. U. S. Tariff Commis : Chemicals United States Produc 1956, Report No. 200 plastics, 147 million, 3.5 percent; polyester resins, 79 million, 1.9 percent; and epoxy resins, 36 million, 0.9 percent. The remainder amounted to 218 million pounds, or 5.3 percent. In addition to the above materials, protein plas- tics, vulcanized fiber, and regenerated cellulose are produced in the United States, but annual pro- duction data are not available. The 1954 Census of Manufactures shows casein plastics (the princi- pal protein plastics) production of 21,571,000 pounds in 1954; vulcanized fiber sheet, 53,635,000 pounds in 1947 and 35,852,000 pounds in 1954; and regenerated cellulose products, including cello- phane (excluding rayon and sausage casings), pro- duction of 360,822,000 pounds in 1954, Statistics on production and sales of plastics materials grouped according to class and use are shown in tables 4, 5, and 6. Exports United States exports of plastics materials to- taled approximately 318 million pounds, valued at Table 5.— United States: Cellulose Plastics Production and Sales, 1956 [ In 1,000 pounds] Material Production Sales 146,972 esters, Cellulose acetate and mixed 136,067 Sheets, under 0.003 gage Sheets, 0.003 gage and o ver 16,656 16,533 All other sheets, rods, and tubes. 7,282 7,049 Molding and extrusion ma terials... 92,745 91,721 Nitrocellulose sheets, rods 5,254 5,651 includes weight of fillers, plasticizet Includes data for sheets, rods, and tut and extrusion materials derived from ethyl other cellulosic materials. and extender; l Synthetic Organic Chemi- Sales, 1956, Report No. $133. 7 million, in 1955; 423 million pounds, valued at $169.8 in 1956; and 513.5 million pounds, valued at $197.9 million in 1957 (table 7). On a quantity basis, exports of synthetic resins not elsewhere classified (n.e.c.) amounted to approximately 25.2 percent of total exports in 1955, 38.7 percent in 1956, and 45.9 percent in 1957. Exports of vinyl and vinylidene polymer and copolymer resins accounted for 16.8 percent in 1955, 11.8 percent in 1956, and 9.5 percent in 1957. The uncompounded vinyls represented 11.1 percent of total exports in 1955, 8.0 percent in 1956, and 5.9 percent in 1957, and styrene poly- mers and copolymer resins in the neighborhood of 13 percent in each year. Other plastics mate- rials represented smaller percentages of total ex- ports, and their relative shares tended to de- crease slightly in the 3*-year period. Europe was the principal market for United States exports of plastics materials, accounting on a quantity basis for 32.1 percent of such ex- ports in 1955, 34.7 percent in 1956, and 38.5 per- cent in 1957; Canada 28.7 percent in 1955, 25.5 percent in 1956, and 22.8 percent in 1957; other Americas 20.3 percent, 18.1 percent, and 17.5 percent; Asia 14.4 percent, 17.1 percent, and 16.6 percent; Africa 2.7 percent, 2.8 percent, and 2.6 percent; and Australia and Oceania, 1.8 to 2.0 per- cent in each year (table 8). Though the United Kingdom has always been a leading competitor of the United States in the world plastics markets, in recent years compe- tition has arisen from West Germany, Italy, and Japan, and to a lesser extent from France. Euro- pean and Japanese firms, usually quoting lower prices and better credit terms than U. S. com- panies, are expected to offer increasing compe- tition. Exports to Canada were principally synthetic resins not elsewhere classified (n.e.c), vinyls, urea and melamine resins, film and sheeting, and tar -acid resins. Table 6.— U. S. Production and Sales of Plastics and Resin Materi Classes and Uses, 1956 [ In I ,000 pounds, dry basis 1 ] Material nenolic and other tar acid resins: Molding materials Bonding and adhesive resins for — taminating (except plywood) Coated and bonded abrasives Friction materials (brake linings, clutch facings, etc.) Thermal insulation (rock wool, fiber glass) All other bonding and adhesive uses Protective-coating resins, unmodified and modified, except by rosin Resins for all other uses rea and melamine resins: Textile-treating and textile-coating resins Paper-treating and paper-coating resins Bonding and adhesive resins for — Plywood All other bonding and adhesive uses, including laminating Protective-coating resins, straight and modified Resins for all other uses, including molding tyrene resins: Molding materials Protective-coating resins, straight and modified 3 Resins for all other uses inyl and vinyl copolymer resins (resin content), total Polyvinyl chloride and copolymer resins (50 percent or more polyvinyl chloride) for- Film (under 0.010 gage) Sheeting (0.010 gage and over) Molding and extrusion Textile- and paper-treating and coating Flooring Protective coatings All other uses All other vinyl resins for— Adhesives All other uses See footnotes at end of table. als, Grouped According to 17 Alkyd resins: For protective coatings: Phthal ic anhydride types: Unmod i f i ed Modified Polybasic acid types: Unmod i fled Mod i f i ed For ail other uses Rosin modifications: Rosin esters for protective coatings: Unmodified (ester gums) Modified (hard resins) All other modifications for protective coatings and other uses Coumarone- indene and petroleum polymer resins Polyester resins Polyethylene resins Miscellaneous synthetic plastics and resins: 4 Molding materials Protective-coating resins Resins for all other uses 1 Dry basis, for the purpose of this report, is defined as the total weight c fillers, extenders, colors, and stabilizers, and excluding the weight of water, Included with "All other bonding and adhesive uses." ''Includes data for styrene-al kyd polyester resins. includes data for acrylic, epichlorohydrin, polyamide (nylon), silicone, and other synthetic plastics and resin materials. Note. — The figures in the above table are based on the U.S. Tariff Commission's monthly reports on the production a sales of synthetic plastics and resin materials. They are partially estimated, and may not be correlated exactly with those given in table t. The data given in the above table are in substantial agreement with those given in the Commis release for January 1957, which gave a summation of the data reported by months for 1956. Changes in classification a minor increase in coverage on some products result in some differences in the detail figures given in this table from given in the January 1957 report. i other 1 iquid di Synthetic Organic Chemicals United States I Sal 1956, Report No. 200 Second Sei U. S. The United Kingdom accounted for 9.1 percent of total U.S. exports in 1955, 5.8 percent in 1956, and 5.6 percent in 1957, principally synthetic res- ins n.e.c, cellulosics, and vinyls. France took 4.7 percent in 1955, 7.8 percent in 1956, and 6.8 percent in 1957, principally synthetic resins n.e.c, styrenes, and cellulosics; followed by West Ger- many with 3.6 percent, 3.3 percent, and 5.9 per- cent, principally synthetic resins n.e.c, regener- ated cellulose, styrenes, film and sheeting, and tar-acid resins. Switzerland, Belgium, the Neth- erlands, and Italy each accounted for approxi- mately 2.0-3.7 percent in each year, mostly syn- thetic resins n.e.c, styrenes, and alkyds. Other important foreign markets for U. S. plas- tics materials accounted for from 11.0 to 2.1 per- cent of total U. S. exports. These were (not in or- der of percentage total) Mexico, which imported principally synthetic resins n.e.c, styrenes, vi- nyls, and alkyds; Colombia, regenerated cellulose, styrenes, alkyds, and film and sheeting; Vene- zuela, styrenes, urea and melamine resins, alkyds, and regenerated cellulose; Japan, synthetic resins n.e.c, and styrenes; the Philippines, regenerated cellulose, urea and melamine resins, and alkyds; and the Union of South Africa, synthetic resins n.e.c, vinyls, styrenes, and tar-acid resins. Imports United States imports of plastics and resin ma- terials for domestic consumption amounted to ap- proximately 34.5 million pounds, valued at $10.2 million, in 1955; 35.5 million pounds, valued at $11.5 million, in 1956; and 20.9 million pounds, valued at $8.3 million, in 1957 (table 9). Synthetic gums and resins accounted for 93. 1 percent of such imports in 1955, 83.3 percent in 1956, and 84.2 percent in 1957; vinyls alone amounted to 88.7 percent, 76.3 percent, and 67.5 percent. Im- ports of cellulose products, principally compounds other than acetates, were approximately 6.8 per- cent, 16.6 percent, and 15.6 percent. Casein and other protein plastics imports were small, about 0.1-0.2 percent of the total in each year. Table 7.— Plastics and Resin Materials, U. [Quantity in S. Exports of Domestic Merchandise by Commodity, 1955-57 1,000 pounds; value in $1,000] Commod i ty 1956 1956 1957 Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Synthetic resins in all unfinished and semifinished forms, except laminated and except film and Ester gums, in all unfinished forms, total 5,912 1,155 5,449 1,109 7,103 1,644 Styrene polymer (polystyrene) and copolymer resins containing 60 percent or more styrene (dry 44, 150 12,297 57,896 15,871 63,315 Alkyd resins, unmodified and modified, total 23,341 6,306 27,903 7,852 3 1 , 437 9,312 (including vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, polyvinyl acetate, acetal, alcohol and ethers; etc. ) total 53,308 17,938 49,966 17,180 48,994 17,779 Vinyl and vinyl copolymer resins, uncom- pounded Vinyl and vinyl copolymer resins, compounded... 35,229 15,643 326 2,110 19,051 11,031 5,749 95 1,063 5,267 33,697 13,728 257 2,284 20,309 10,567 4,901 63 1,649 5,764 30,219 15, 115 571 3,089 20,332 10,181 5,219 Vinyl and vinyl copolymer resins in Tar-acid resins (unmodified, modified and/or substituted) including phenolic, phenol- formaldehyde, phenol-furfural, cresol- lump, liquid, pellet, dice, sheet, or other unfinished form, except laminated, including cast resins in sheets, rods and tubes, total 6,142 Urea-formaldehyde, melamine- formaldehyde and other amine resins, in any unfinished forms, 16,278 4,999 17,766 5,601 19,588 Synthetic resins, not elsewhere classified, in all unfinished and semifinished forms, including 80,310 30,931 163,693 57,191 235,864 Synthetic resin film and sheeting including printed, embossed, planished or otherwise treated surface, 26,208 19,497 32,154 23,864 33,384 Laminated and molded laminated plastics made with 5,431 4,713 6,462 5,552 7,069 5,924 Phenol formaldehyde and cresol formaldehyde laminated sheets, plates, strips, rods, tubes and other shapes solely made therefrom, excluding decorative laminates used for table tops, counters, wall panels, ice cream fountains, 1,379 4,052 23,209 1,474 3,239 20,441 1,506 4,956 22,375 1,688 3,864 20,239 2,046 5,023 24,676 2,136 3,788 21,649 Other laminated and molded laminated plastics with or without fillers, including all shapes Cellulose plastic materials, excluding regenerated cellulose and vulcanized fiber, total Cellulose ethers and derivatives (methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, etc.) in all 2,536 427 181 246 20,246 1,770 337 59 278 18,334 2,663 632 87 545 19,080 1,864 5 84 23 561 17,791 3,093 607 141 466 20,976 2,174 Cellulose nitrate (nitrocellulose; pyroxylin) Sheets, rods, tubes, and similar forms, 466 18,958 Cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate-butyrate, cellulose acetate-prop ionate, and other cellulose esters, total [Quantity in ,000 pounds ; value in $1,0001 1955 1956 1957 Commodi ty Quantity Value Quantity Value Quanti ty Value Cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate-butyrate, cellulose acetate-proplonate, and other cellulose esters— Con. 8,629 11,231 386 14,340 4,644 13,637 53 7,562 8,018 10,628 434 12,198 4,523 13,194 74 6,696 8,103 11,566 1,307 15,392 4,626 14,123 209 8,234 For other uses (including film support and base) in sheets, rods, tubes, continuous sheeting, cut pieces, and other unfinished Regenerated cellulose, including printed (except rayon) in rolls and sheets, total Casein, soya bean, and other protein plastics in any unfinished form, total 7 3 7 7 8 8 Vulcanized fiber sheets, rolls, strips, rods, tubes, and other shapes solely made therefrom, total 6,1+51* 2,571 6,782 2,867 6,318 2,847 318,029 133,680 122,960 169,793 513,480 197,868 Report No. FT 410, Part I I, li ted States Exports of Don i Foreign Merchandise, Commodity by Cou ntry of Pest inat ion . Annual 1955-57, i U. S. Department of Commerc Table 8.— Plastics and Resin Materials: U.S by Principal Markets [Quantity in 1,000 pounds; v< Country of destination 1955 1956 1957 Quant ty Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Canada 91 234 35 704 107,843 39 968 1 16,964 42 947 64 720 26 840 76,738 31 205 89,524 34 31 1 Mexico 20 6 10 7 19 101 530 056 984 757 393 940 7 2 2 9 46 358 720 869 871 022 850 19,083 8,521 1 1,360 9,799 27,975 146,654 6 3 3 12 63 942 606 644 83 2 181 046 20,703 10,662 12,685 12,754 32,720 197,262 7 13 78 195 378 Cuba Venezuela pry iioq 729 Sweden 6 29 8 7 14 6 5 45 104 028 234 951 979 302 753 947 642 796 2 18 2 2 6 2 2 17 323 418 615 830 719 676 956 287 026 174 10,244 24,480 13,242 10,998 32,845 13,804 10,950 8,590 21,501 72,515 15 13 5 3 7 26 010 770 091 056 715 908 552 372 572 797 14,860 28,785 17,430 19,012 34,813 30,097 11,527 17,309 23,429 85,684 5 17 5 6 13 1 1 6 7 31 337 134 508 604 Un i ted Kingdom France ii r 898 199 853 295 Italy As i a, tota 1 9 24 12 5 275 186 335 609 3 9 3 180 115 879 131 10,285 46,207 16,023 7,562 3 17 6 3 4 68 162 167 572 13,187 52,781 19,716 10,742 19 7 5 530 349 016 Australia and Oceania, total 8 730 3 981 11,648 5 205 13,304 5 6 858 872 3 298 9,449 2,199 * 401 10,949 2,355 * 785 318 029 Ksn 422,960 70/5 513,480 Rfia United States Exports of Domestic and Fore U.S. Department of Commerce. , Commodity by Country c Table 9.— Plastics and Resin Materials, U. S [ Quantity in 1,000 . Import: , for Consumption, lue in $1,000] by Commodity, 1955-57 1955 1956 1957 Commod i ty Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Synthetic gums and resins, total 32,081 7,835 29,560 6,806 17,587 4,917 Vinyls, total 30,586 6,724 27,091 5,422 14,106 2,778 Vinyl acetate, polymerized and synthetic resins made in chief value from vinyl acetate, n.s.p.f 1,133 438 834 506 754 214 Vinyl alcohol, vinyl chloride acetate ja nd other vinyl derivatives, whether polymerized or unpolymerized, (except N-vinyl-2-pyrrol idone and polyvinyl pyrrol idone), n.s.p.f 29,453 6,286 26,257 4,916 13,352 2,564 Synthetic phenolic resin and all resin-like products, prepared from any article provided for in paragraphs 27 and 1651 928 862 987 777 1,210 1,272 total 567 249 1,482 607 2,271 867 Synthetic resins made in chief value from vinyl acetate, n.e.s 230 337 55 194 116 1,366 24 583 282 1,989 73 Cellulose products, n.e.s., excluding vulcanized 2,346 2,331 5,887 4,676 3,246 3,283 Cellulose acetate, and compounds, combinat ions_, or mixtures (in blocks, sheets, rods, tubes, powders, flakes, briquets, or other forms, and waste not made into finished or partly finished articles), total 400 588 551 690 570 835 Powder or flakes and waste 24 8 26 2 10 25 Sheets 122 169 221 238 235 320 Blocks, rods, tubes, briquets, or other forms, n.e.s 254 411 304 450 325 490 Cellulose acetate and compounds, combinations, or mixtures (in blocks, sheets, rods, tubes, powders, flakes, briquets, or other forms, and waste not made into finished or partly finished articles), wholly or in chief value of acrylic resins, total 160 1 17 163 1 17 167 103 Sheets 123 90 125 92 160 98 Blocks, rods, tubes, briquets, or other forms, n.e.s 37 27 38 25 7 5 All compounds of cellulose, except cellulose acetate (include pyroxylin and other cellulose esters and ethers, and all compounds, combina- excelloid, fiberloid, nixonoid, pyralin, blocks, sheets, rods, tubes, powder, flakes, briquets, or other forms, not made into finished or partly finished articles), total 1 ,786 1,626 5,173 3,869 2,509 2,345 mixtures of which pyroxylin is the component material of chief value, total Transparent sheets more than 3/1000 inch and not more than 32/1000 inch in thickness 325 36 314 23 "• 990 131 12 8 289 1,104 5 291 1,238 6 995 1,003 55 986 1,1 13 56 119 1,702 13 136 1,902 15 Transparent sheets more than 3/1000 inch and not more than 32/1000 inch in thickness Sheets, n.e.s Other forms (including rods and tubes) Sheets, bandSj and strips of transparent 192 907 258 974 345 603 378 679 411 1,278 450 1,437 cellulose film (whether known as cellophane or by any other name) exceeding 1 inch in width, but not exceeding 3/1000 inch in thickness, made from cellulose, except cellulose acetate 357 74 3,171 1,766 676 299 See footnotes at end of table Table 9.— Plastics and Resin Materials, U. S. Imports, for Consumption, by Commodity, 1955-57— Con. [Quantity in 1,000 pounds; value in $1,000] Commodity 1955 1956 1957 Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Casein compou ds, galal i th, etc. , and other forms, no t 1 ::: into sheets, finished 40 2 29 2 38 17 27 2 55 ellulose, known as vu.can zed c r hard 34,169 10,197 35,502 11,511 20,892 8 255 , Commodity by Country of Origin , Annual 1955-57, Report No. Table 10.— Plastics and Resin Materials: U. S. Imports for Consumption by Principal Sources, 1955-57 i pounds; value in $1 ,000] 1955 1956 1957 Countries of origin Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value 2,006 1,059 3,891 2,579 2,244 Europe, total 30,342 8,556 30,442 8,344 16,673 6,362 217 332 1,217 26,559 1 ,520 147 251 99 2,121 379 456 5,651 538 190 230 81 582 834 937 1,999 24,414 1,616 158 224 260 477 781 1,065 4,757 622 190 220 232 574 2 67 670 2,248 1 1,345 732 853 384 174 1,972 III 9 60 5 34,469 10,197 35,502 11,511 1 20,892 1 8,255 is 3,000 pounds United States n Hong Kong, value srts of Merchand is FT 110, Bure U. S. Department of Con in, Commodity by Coi 1 of Origin , Annui Europe was the principal source of U. S. im- ports of plastics materials, accounting for 88.0 percent in 1955, 85.7 percent in 1956, and 79.8 percent in 1957, Italy alone furnishing 77.1 per- cent, 68.8 percent, and 54.3 percent in the re- spective years (table 10). Vinyls comprised 99 percent of imports from Italy. Other important sources of U. S. imports were: Canada, principally cellulosics; West Germany, principally phenolics and miscellaneous synthetic resins; United Kingdom, vinyls and cellulosics; Japan, vinyls; France, cellulosics; and Belgium, vinyls and cellulosics. These countries furnished from 11.0 to 0.6 percent of U. S. imports during the years 1955-1957. Table 11 furnishes information on rates of duty on imports of plastics and synthetic resin materi- als, by U. S. classification. Technological Developments The cooperation and public education programs of the various segments of the industry have led to rapidly increasing demand for plastics and resin materials and products for both consumer and de- fense items. The need for plastics — polymers and copolymers — having specific properties for specific uses has spurred the development of ma- terials with outstanding performance and service- ability. Outstanding progress has been made in the fields of plastics materials development and improvement, and plastics engineering, and appli- cation. The production of high -density polyethylene hav- ing higher temperature resistance (up to 250° F) and greater rigidity than the previously available low -density polyethylene is an important accom- nthetic Resin Materials, by U. S. Commodity descripti< Synthetic phenolic resin and all resin- like products, prepared from any article provided for in paragraph 27 or 1651 Vinyl acetate, polymerized, and synthetic i.f. 1930 Tariff Act (except Vinyl alcohol, vinyl chloride acetate, and other vinyl derivatives, whether polymerized or unpol ymer i zed (except N- vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and polyvinylpyrroli- done), n.s.p.f. (formerly part of 81 70800 7 ) Cell Effective trade agreement ra (GATT 1 except as noted) Excluding changes on or after June 30, 1958 Changes on or after June 30, 1958 ( I. sheets, rods, tubes, powders briquets, or other forms, and wast not made into finished or partly finished articles): Powder or flakes and waste (forn 8250000 and 8250100) Sheets thers, an d all compound s, com loid, exc el loid, fiberl oiri. oid, pyra lin, viscoloid , and ite, but not hard fiber , in s, sheets , rods, tubes, puwr.'p i, briquets or other forms not nto finished or partly finished les): >xylin, and compounds, combina- valuf Tra span ; sheets r i the 3/1000 inch and not more than 32/1000 inch in thickness (formerly part of 8252000). Other forms (formerly part of 8252100 and 8252900) Other: Transparent sheets more than 3/1000 inch and not more than 32/1000 inch in thickness (formerly part of 8252000). Sheets, n.e.s. (formerly part of 8252100) Other forms (include rods and tubes, formerly 8252I30 9 and 8252U0 9 ) Sheets, bands, and strips of trans- n (whether llophar - by i ie) ndth, but not :xceeding 3/1000 inch in th i < u 20«; lb. °20 41.7 million pounds, value C$l6.3 million (tables 17 and 18). In 1956 approximately equal amounts of polystyrene, 21.1 million pounds, and other synthetic resins, 20.6 million pounds, were exported; Japan took approximately 16.9 per- cent of these exports, West Germany 13.0 percent, Hong Kong 12.6 percent, the Netherlands 11.4 per- cent, France 9.1 percent, and the United States 3.2 percent. Marketing and Distribution Manufacturing consumers are of two types. One type, comprising more than 1,000 firms, embraces molders, extruders, and vacuum formers; the other, 'a large unknown number of manufacturers of nonplastics products which contain a single plastic component. Manufacturers of plastics materials generally maintain their own sales representatives who sell direct to consuming companies. Independent sales agencies or subsidiary sales offices are seldom used. Table I i Plastics [ 1 n 1 ,000 pounds] Type Production Imports Exports Consumption Polystyre « (e*cludi g synthetic rubber and paint).... 35,500 34,800 4,000 8,000 5,250 16,000 2 24,000 42 5 34 6 8 23 51 500 C 11 lo i 20,700 6,500 7,050 1,000 15,000 41 ,000 2,000 aldehyde... tate family Vin 1 1,500 Nylon pla Polyethyl Phenol ic =ne 16,000 10,500 6,000 . 161,550 61,250 32,000 parent consumption. "Polymer and n Compiled from Canadian sources giver ate Gene 34 Table 15. — Canada: Estimated Consumption of Specified Plastics Materials, by Uses, 1956 Cellulosics: Mold ing powder , Sheets Butyrate and propionate Total Polyethylene: Film Injection molding Pipe Paper coating Wire coating , Miscellaneous Total Polyvinyl chloride 1 : Film and sheeting Extrusion (including wire coating). Coated texti les Flooring Protective coatings , Plastisols Total Polystyrene: Sheet manufacture Miscellaneous and extrusion Total Phenolic resins: Molding compounds Laminating Abrasives Brake linings and friction materia Thermal insulation Protective coatings Adhesives Miscellaneous Total Urea-formaldehyde: Adhesives for plywood Mold ing powders , Total ^ased on resin content. Source: Industry estimates. Table 16.— Canada: Value of Imports of Plastics and Resin Materials, by Commodity and Principal Countries of Origin, 1955-56 [ In C $1,000] 5.25 7.00 6 50 5 00 2 00 2 00 50 23 00 10.00 10 20 4 00 2 50 1 50 2 50 4 00 34 70 1 1.00 3.00 .50 14.50 13.00 3 60 I 00 2 00 3 00 I 80 1 60 24 00 1 50 51 50 fi.OC .50 Commod ty and pri icipal countries 1955 1956 Esters, ether cellulose, w thout admi ations thereof, of 1,512 1,512 Table 16. — Canada: Value of Imports of Plastics and Resin Materials, by Commodity and Principal Countries of Origin, 1955-56— Con. [ In C $1,000] Commodity and principal countries 1955 1956 Esters or ethers or combinations thereof, of cellulose, compounded with other materials for molding, casting, extruding, or pressing: 799 Total 799 1,006 F rm d and x d If blocks, boards, granular, or powder: 22 26 ^ Compositions of esters or ethers of cellulose with other materials, n.o.p. : 36 Total 36 51 Cellulose plastic plates, sheets, strip, film, blocks, bars, tubes, or other primary shapes: Italy 37 47 Un i ted States 1,245 1,516 Total 1,322 1,592 Reinforced or supported cellulose plastic plates, sheets, strip, tubing, blocks, bars, rods, in which is incorporated a layer of paper, fiberboard or textile fabric, or a core of fibers, melted or otherwise: 506 517 Plates for the production of printers United States 1 14 129 129 Synthetic resins without admixture: 298 1 10 32 87 14,315 14,850 Synthetic resins in solutions or solvents: 25 3,801 Total 4,313 materials for molding, casting, or extruding, including uncured preforms or blocks for compression molding: 161 4,308 Total 4,471 4,583 Table 16. — Canada: Value of Imports of Plastics and Resin Materials, by Commodity and Principal Countries of Origin, 1955-56— Con. [ In C $1,000] Commodity and principa countries 1955 1956 blocks, boards, flakes, granule sins in logs, s, or powders: 208 34 403 Netherlands Un i ted States 485 648 1,738 Synthetic resin compositions, n.o.p.: 1,694 1,741 431 210 6,863 Synthetic resins or protein pla rods, sheets, plates, strip, f or decorated or not: nether coated West Germany 7,506 1,597 Reinforced or supported synthet sheets, strips, film, tubing shapes, n.o.p., whether coated United States c resin plates, other primary or otherwise: 1,528 1,610 G t 1 39,028 Producers' terms of sale are usually net 30 days, although established accounts may run to 90 days and in some cases longer. Because the plastics industry is still in its infan- cy and the general public is not too aware of the many uses of such materials, producers feel the need to publicize their products and a fair amount of advertising is undertaken. The most satisfacto- ry sales methods for U. S. manufacturers is said to be through resident representatives who make direct sales to the consumer or through an exclu- sive agency. Foreign Investment Approximately 70 percent of the companies man- ufacturing plastics materials are wholly owned by U. S. concerns. Other foreign capital investment is minimal. However, in the processing field sev- eral British and other European firms maintain Canadian subsidiaries, and a number of Canadian companies are also affiliated with U.S. interests. About 70 percent of the processing industry is made up of Canadian companies. Canadian plastics companies engage in free ex- change of technical information with firms in other countries, and technical agreements are common. The plastics industry is expected to grow during the next several years. Ever -increasing quantities of plastics reportedly will be used in automobiles, building, packaging materials, toys, and house- wares. Large amounts of plastics will be em- ployed in fabricating articles which have not been available in the past. Table 17.— Canada: Exports of Polystyrene, by Principal Countries of Destination, 1955-56 [Quantity in 1,000 pounds; value in C $l,000J Principa, countries 1955 1956 Quantity Value Quantity Value 1,394 202 5,085 1,513 306 453 1,064 1,982 1,460 1,936 4,267 856 565 227 1,431 460 63 1,525 498 85 137 308 682 425 583 1,314 278 171 46 434 5 119 1,251 993 455 185 901 5,249 1,370 4, 166 4, 191 772 409 16 1,022 2 Union of South Africa... 35 364 310 130 56 264 Bel gium-Luxemburg 367 1 245 Netherlands 1298 Sweden Total 22,741 7,009 21, 104 1 Bureau of Statistic Table 18.— Canada: Exports of Synthetic Resin (except Polystyrene), by Principal Countries of Destination, 1955-56 [Quantity in 1,000 pounds; value in C $l,000] 1955 1956 Principal countries Quantity Value Quantity Value Uni ted Kingdom Union of South Africa... 4,434 316 492 492 311 539 254 48 201 371 1,373 704 866 431 589 586 300 745 449 2,346 87 145 164 122 153 71 15 42 130 1,302 251 296 129 205 198 126 192 151 1,573 96 3,988 648 348 198 289 327 1, 132 21 1 2,882 186 2,882 594 567 113 1,904 300 1,302 1,048 858 22 1, 123 130 Bel gium-Luxemburg 95 France Mexico Switzerl nd Turkey United States 58 459 Total 13,501 6, 125 20,588 10,095 Following are the primary plastics materials producers in Canada: Name and location of company Type of plastics Dow Chemical Company, Sarnia, Ontario Styrene and polystyrene. Monsanto Canada Ltd., Montreal, Quebec; Vancouver, B. C; and Polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, Edmonton, Alberta. phenolic resins, and casein adhesives. Kayson Rubber and Plastics Ltd., Gait, Ontario Polystyrene. Polymer Corporation, Sarnia, Ontario Styrene monomer. Naugatuck Chemicals Ltd., Elmira, Ontario.- Polyesters. Chemical Oil and Resin Co., Ltd., Toronto, Ontario Polyesters. Canadian Plastics Ltd., Montreal, Quebec Casein plastics. Canadian Industries Limited, Edmonton, Alberta Polyester (Terephthalate type), polyethylene. Canadian General Electric Co., Ltd., Toronto, Ontario Alkyds. Reichhold Chemical Co., Ltd., Toronto, Ontario Alkyds and phenolics. Reichhold Chemicals (Canada) Ltd., Saint Therese, Quebec; and Port Phenolic, urea, and alkyd Moody, B. C. resins, and adhesives. Canadian Chemical Co., Ltd., Edmonton, Alberta Cellulosics (cellulose acetate). Canadian Resins and Chemicals Limited, Shawinigan Falls, Quebec Vinyl chloride monomer and polyvinyl chloride. Panelyte Division, St. Regis Paper Co. (Canada) Ltd., St. Jean, Quebec Phenolic resins. Canadian Celanese, Drummondville, Quebec Cellulosics. Rohm and Haas Company of Canada, Ltd., West Hill, Ontario Alkyds. B. F. Goodrich Chemical Co., Welland, Ontario Polyvinyl chloride. Shawinigan Chemicals Ltd., Shawinigan Falls, Quebec Vinyl acetate monomer, poly- vinyl acetate, polyvinyl acetals. Bakelite Co., Div. of Union Carbide Canada, Ltd. Belleville, Ontario.... Phenolic and urea resins and adhesives. Polyresins Limited, Toronto, Ontario Polyvinyl resinous emulsion. Schenectady Varnish Canada, Ltd., Scarborough, Ontario Alkyds and phenolic resins. American-Marietta Co. of Canada, Ltd., New Westminister, B. C. and Phenolic resins and adhesives. Edmonton, Alberta. Varcum Chemical Co. Ltd., Lindsay, Ontario Phenolic resins. DuPont Company of Canada, Ltd., Kingston, Ontario Nylon (molding powder) and cellophane film. Trilon Chemical Ltd., Lachine, Quebec Urea resins. Carbide Chemicals Co. Div. of Union Carbide Canada Ltd. Montreal, Polyethylene. Quebec. Woburn Chemicals, Ltd., Leaside, Ontario Alkyds. COSTA RICA Plastics materials are not produced in Costa Rica and there are no plans for their manufacture. Plastics and synthetic resins are imported, prin- cipally from the United States. Several manufacturers produce vases, plates, spoons, and similar houseware items by injection and compression molding. One producer plans to make corrugated sheeting by extrusion and vacu- um-molding processes. Based on import figures, annual consumption of plastics and resin compounds is estimated at 125,000 pounds, consisting principally of polysty- rene, polyethylene, alkyds, and vinyl materials. A moderate expansion is anticipated, particularly for polyethylene. Two firms plan to use imported polyethylene film to produce bags for packing ground coffee, which is generally packed in cello- phane. Plastics materials or finished plastics products are not exported from Costa Rica. Imports of plastics materials amounted to approximately 125,000 pounds valued at $70,168 in 1955, accord- ing to the Costa Rican Bureau of Statistics and Census. The United States accounted for about 52 percent of the volume and 66 percent of the value of these imports. Competing countries were pri- marily Canada, Germany, France, and United Kingdom. Imports of processed and finished plastics amounted to 1,526,000 pounds valued at $939,516 in 1955, of which 94 percent of the quantity and 93 percent of the value came from the United States. Importers evidence a preference for United States plastics materials because of their superior qual- ity and faster delivery. Prices for other foreign plastics materials are virtually on the same level as those from the United States except that in a few cases European quotations are slightly lower,, There are no Government decrees or regula- tions affecting the importation and sale of plastics materials in Costa Rica. Plastics materials are not produced in Cuba. The plastics-processing industry, consisting of 9 injection -molding firms, 4 compression molders, and 4 extruders (2 subsidiaries of American rub- ber firms and 2 firms which extrude and fabricate pipe and tubing), uses imported plastics and resin materials. A quantitative breakdown of types of materials consumed by the industry is not available. Con- sumption of polystyrene, polyethylene, cellulose acetate, vinyl resins, styrene copolymers, acry- lonitrile, and phenolic and urea resins is esti- mated by trade sources to be increasing about 5 percent annually. Cuba imports no significant quantity of plastics materials from any country except the United States. Total imports of "syn- thetic resins" and "plastic materials" as identi- fied on shipping manifests and compiled by trade sources show that nearly all of the 4.5 million pounds imported in 1955 and the greater share of the 4.2 million pounds imported in the 9-month period January -September 1956 were from the United States. No plastics materials are exported. Injection molding, the largest segment of the processing industry, consumes the greater portion of materials used, principally polystyrene, with polyethylene second in importance. Some cellulose acetate and vinyls are used, and recently, styrene copolymers and acrylonitrile. Among the items produced are bottle caps, toys, toilet articles, housewares, and trinkets. Compression molders use urea and phenol-for- maldehyde materials, with less significant quanti- ties of melamine formaldehyde, for the manufac- ture of buttons, plastic caps, dinnerware, and electrical fixtures and fittings. Extrusion operations (recently introduced) rank third in manufacturing importance, while vacuum - forming of plastics has not yet been fully devel- oped. Small amounts of fiberglass-reinforced polyester sheets are produced. Output of latex paints, using styrene and butadiene copolymers, is reportedly increasing. The Cuban processing industry maintains a close relationship with the industry in the United States through exclusive representatives in Cuba. There is no significant foreign investment in the Cuban industry, although several subsidiaries of Ameri- can rubber-products companies are among the plastics-processing firms. There are no marketing agreements or arrange- ments for exchange of technical information. Ar- rangements are made, however, with large United States and Mexican manufacturers for rental of molds for making products whose sales potential would not justify outright purchase of such equip- ment. Plastics processors reportedly have ade- quate machinery, and expansion appears to be limited only by costs of molds and the size of the market for finished items. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC INDUSTRY REPORT, The Dominican Republic neither manufactures its own plastics materials nor fabricates semi- finished forms of plastics into finished products. Consumption is limited to finished products, most of which are used in construction and im- ported from the United States. They include such items as Plexiglas and similar products, plastic corrugated roofing, electrical parts and water con- duits. With the exception of a few small shops making tables and other types of furniture from Formica and like materials, there is no enterprise which could be classified in a plastics fabricating industry. The principal deterrent to the consumption of plastics and the formation of a plastics fabricating industry is the high duties on plastics. These amount to 15 cents per kilogram (2.2046 lbs.) for unworked plastics materials and $ 1 per kilogram for most types of finished plastics products. The only items presently imported in any significant quantity falling in the unworked plastics category are flat sheets of Plexiglas and similar products. All others, including corrugated sheets, (except Formica and related products which are not classi- fied as plastics for customs purposes), are classi- fied under the higher rate. In addition to these duties, the merchandise is subject to a 23 percent so-called unified tax, a 3 percent tax for consular charges, and various other charges amounting to about 4 percent. Since there are no restrictions on availability of foreign exchange in the Dominican Republic, consumption of plastics is limited primarily by the high tariff rates. Most plastics products consumed are imported from the United States as they can be bought and shipped in more rapidly than from Europe. There is no preference for quality or utility between American and non -American products. 38 Table 19.— Domin ican Republic: Value of Imports of Horn, Bone, Hoof, Whalebone, Vegetable Ivory, Celluloid, and Imitations of Such Products, and Their Manufactures, by Country of Origin, 1951-55 Country 1954 1955 G $ 47,483 4,183 43,961 364,197 12,860 4,952 7,126 13,579 5,177 8 1 i C n d- 29,317 United States 466,009 2,651 Sweden Others 7,318 20,922 T t 1 $503,518 EL SALVADOR There is no production of plastics materials in El Salvador. Plastics and synthetic resins are im- ported, primarily from the United States, and are principally of vinyl sheeting for belting and poly- ethylene film for packaging. Consumers of vinyl products are mostly small cottage operators en- gaged in cutting sheets, rolls, and belting to pro- duce belts, furniture upholstery, purses, wallets, and wearing apparel. Potential consumption of other plastics materials depends upon the success- ful development of a plastics -processing, fabrica- ting, and finishing industry. The growth of the in- dustry is hampered by the small size of the do mestic market in a country where the majority of the population (2 million) has very limited pur- chasing power (per capita income has been esti- mated at around $160.00 per year). A $200,000 plastics-processing and fabricating pilot plant established by a South American firm commenced operations in December 1956, although completion of the plant is not expected for another year. Production of polyethylene bags, plastic sheet for construction purposes, garden hose, flex- ible and rigid tubing, belting, and small plastic containers reportedly has commenced. There is no information available regarding the plant's capacity. Local labor is employed, supervised by a member of the firm; no technicians have been enlisted from abroad other than for short periods to install machinery. Plastics -processing industries are eligible for exemption from import duties on machinery, con- struction materials, and /or raw materials used, as well as from taxes, under the Processing Indus- tries Development Law of 1952. Table 20.— El Salvador: Trade [ Quantity in pounds; Plastics Materials, 1951-55 /alue in dollars] Tariff Material 1954 1955 Number Quantity Value Quantity Value Imports 177,711 3,527 57,536 91,171 2,209 38,247 189,272 1,193 107,108 599-01-02 Celluloid, in sheets, plates, blocks, and other 599-01-03 Plastics fabrics not woven, excluding those of synthetic textile fibers and fabrics made 238,774 131,627 297,573 Synthetic plastics materials in blocks, sheets, Exports 599-01 49 90 Anuario Estad i st i c GUATEMALA (Reprinted from CHEMICAL AND RUBBER INDUSTRY REPORT, July 1957) Guatemala does not produce plastics materials. Plastics and synthetic resins are imported, pri- marily from the United States. Until the latter part of 1954 only 1 company pro- duced plastic articles. In late 1954 and during 1955, 3 more companies were established, and in 1956, the most significant year in the development of the plastics -processing industry, 6 more entered the field. These 10 companies, all of which are in Guatemala City, produce a variety of plastics products by extrusion, compression, and injection molding, laminating and fabrication. Consumption of plastics materials in 1955 was over 470,000 pounds, and in 1956 is estimated at about 846,000 pounds, mostly in granular and powdered form for use in molding and extruding. Based on operating capacity at the end of 1956, consumption was at an annual rate of nearly 940,000 pounds. When production of all machines and equipment currently on order or being in- stalled is added to equipment now in operation, consumption of materials should increase to about 1,560,000 pounds a year. The industry has undergone considerable ex- pansion based upon public acceptance of plastics and potential demand for a greater variety of products. Several companies are adding plastic pipe, coated wire, dishes, squeezable bottles, and foamed plastics products to their regular lines. The processing industry also includes manufac- ture of food containers, soap boxes, combs, toys, buttons, tableware, bags, novelties, garden hose, and belting. Rigid plastic sheeting is used in making table and desk tops and flexible sheets for the manufacture of wallets, pocketbooks, coin purses, and similar items. The United States is the major source of ma- terials for the Guatemalan industry. Canada, Germany, and Italy have entered the market; im- ports from these countries have been small but may increase. Total imports in 1955, nearly 472,000 pounds, and about 827,000 pounds of 1956 imports came from the United States. Italy sup- plied 9,000 pounds and Canada 10,000 pounds of polystyrene molding material in 1956; Germany furnished 30,000 pounds during 1954. Proximity of the United- States to Guatemala and the favorable attitude of many members of indus- try toward United States products give American producers an advantage over other foreign manu- facturers. There are no exchange restrictions which limit the availability of dollars for the pur- chase of plastics materials. Machinery ordered from United States firms usually arrives sooner than when ordered elsewhere. All invested capital in machinery and molds is of domestic origin. No foreign manufacturers have branch factories in the country and there are no marketing agreements between domestic firms and foreign plastics concerns. Technical information is supplied by United States manufac- turers and other foreign producers. Guatemala has an Industrial Development Law (Decree No. 459 of December 3, 1947) under which certain types of industries are granted privileges such as exemption from payment of taxes, duties, fees, and surcharges on imports of certain con- struction materials, machinery, equipment, ac- cessories, and raw materials, as well as ex- emptions or reductions in profits and property taxes. Exemptions may be general, continuing for as long as 10 years, or limited to materials or specific pieces of machinery. The plastics - products industry is entitled to exemptions for materials, machinery, etc., only once, but this ex- emption may be extended by supplementary re- quests. These exemptions and accompanying tax reductions play a significant role in increasing production and facilitating the industry's growth. Under a Treaty of Free Trade and Economic Integration ratified by Guatemala and El Salvador in 1952, "Articles of personal or domestic use made of synthetic plastic materials" entering the trade between the two countries are exempted from payment of all import and export duties and charges. In 1956 a similar treaty which went into effect between Guatemala and Honduras, includes construction materials made principally of plastics materials and signs and decorations made of plas- tics. A similar treaty signed with Costa Rica awaits ratification. The free trade list at the time of drafting the treaty included plastic bags for shipping bananas, and plastic sheets and purses. The outlook for United States exports of plastics materials to Guatemala is good. Consumption of these materials is increasing and when expansions are completed in 1957 consumption of imported plastics materials is expected to reach approxi- mately 1.6 million pounds a year. Table 21 .— Guatemala: Estimated Annual Consumption Rate of Plastics Materials, 1355-57 [Pounds] Type End of |956 x Mid-1957 2 Cellulose acetate: 200 33, 600 300 33,600 78,000 9,000 408, 000 2,000 50,000 33,600 Urea and melamine resins: Sheets for fabricating Polystyrene: 6 276 50 28 499 939 000 000 500 000 600 000 900 Polyvinyl chloride: Polyethylene: 1,562,500 Partly estimated. 2 Projected on basis of plans f or expans on. Trade estimates. Table 22.— Guatemala: Custom Duties on Plastics Materials and Products in Effect January I957 1 ,tem Duty (per kilogram) 2 Cel lophane paper 15 GW Cellophane ribbons tic tub >s Handbags, billfolds , money urses, etc., of Fabrics with a plas weighing less than tic coa 500 gr ing an ms per plas squar tic sheets e meter... .40 GW Table 22. -Guatemala: Custom Duties on Plastics Mate- rials and Products in Effect January I957 1 — Con. [in U. S. dollars] Table 23. — Guatemala: Imports of Plastics Matei from United States (except where otherwise cated), 1954-56 el lulose acetate: Film, under 0.003 gage.. Molding material Sheets for fabricating Molding material Polystyrene: Molding material Rigid sheets for fabricating.... Polyvinyl chloride: Molding material Sheeting Polyethylene: Molding material Total 150,000 ^71,900 424,000 846,300 1 Partially estimated. 2 2, 500 pounds from Canada. ^Negligible. 4 30,000 pounds from Germany Source: Trade est i mates. -Guatemala: Total Investments Machinery and Molds [Value in U.S. dollars] Injection-molding and v uum-f ormi ng Extrusion-molding Compress i on-mold i ng. . . . Cellular foamed plastic Fabricating Total 167,000 135,000 40,000 20,000 362,000 Machines ordered instal led 56,500 68, 000 20, 000 2,000 2,000 20,000 508, 500 Source: Trade estimates. Plastics materials are not made in Haiti. They are imported from the United States and are prin- cipally polystyrene and urea molding powders and nylon for toothbrush bristles. The industry is not well established and there is only one consumer of materials who deals directly with United States manufacturers. Consumption of polystyrene powder reportedly amounts to 100,000 pounds annually, urea powders 40,000 pounds, and nylon for bristles 1,000 pounds. Plastics materials are not exported nor are there any foreign investments or branch factories in the industry. The Haitian market is limited because o£-the cost of molding equipment and the low income level of the population; few plastics goods can be sold in sufficient volume to justify the cost of molds. A rise in the country's standard of living is needed for the industry's development. MEXICO Of the 13 affiliates of U. S. companies which produce plastics materials or process plastics products in Mexico, some are nearly 100 percent foreign controlled and others have a small inter- est of 20 to 25 percent foreign ownership and work under agreements for use of patents, trademarks, technical know-how, etc. Estimated 1956 output of plastics materials, mostly cellophane, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, and phenolic resins, amounted to 9,036 metric tons, valued at 108 million pesos (1 peso equals US$0.08). Several producers plan the manufacture of polyethylene, polyester, and alkyd resins which are now imported. Manufacture of consumer products is limited by the purchasing power of the over 30 million popu- lation, only one-third of which are considered as potential users of plastic consumer items in any volume. Mexican trade sources estimate con- sumption of plastics materials in 1956 amounted to 17,487 tons of domestically produced and im- ported materials. Industry sources estimate po- tential annual consumption of plastics should in- crease 8 to 10 percent a year, approximately three times the estimated growth in population. The market for plastics products in Mexico, based on 1956 estimates, amounts to around $60 million. This value represents retail prices of manufactured plastics products made from ma- terials produced or imported, but does not include materials used in textiles, paints, and industrial applications. Imports of plastics products in 1956, excluding nylon yarn, plastic cloth, and cellophane, are es- timated at 350 metric tons, valued at 10.7 million pesos. The import market is small and will de- cline as domestic production increases. Imports will be predominantly of materials not produced in Mexico. Imports of finished consumer plastics products are subject to a high tax, which partly accounts for the comparatively small imports. Exports of finished and unfinished plastics ma- terials are small, amounting in 1956 to about 76.2 tons of finished products, valued at 2.5 million pesos, and approximately 47 metric tons of ma- terials, value 188,000 pesos, of which polystyrene accounted for 46 tons destined for the United States. In 1956, according to official statistics (Anuario Estadistici Del Comercio Exterior De Los Esta- dos Unidos Mexicanas) approximately 11,521 met- ric tons of plastics and resin materials (value 111 million pesos) were imported, the United States supplying about 76 percent and Germany 8 percent. In 1956 about 380 tons of compounded polyvinyl chloride were delivered at a price, after payment of duty, cheaper than the domestic product. How- ever, Mexican producers of PVC have an advan- tage, on the basis of service, in meeting foreign competition. Casein is imported principally from Agrentina and France; cellulose nitrate sheets, including scrap, from several sources, and other materials in lesser amounts from Europe. The manufacturers of plastics materials usu- ally sell direct to large users, although some wholesalers or distributors supply a large num- ber of very small operators. Because imports of plastics materials are handled also by firms which are manufacturers or processors, the above pattern of distribution applies to imports. Credit is tight in all phases of business in Mex- ico and even sales of plastics materials to large commercial consumers (wire-coaters, textile mills, etc.), sometimes require credit terms of 60 to 90 days. Collections from retailers are sometimes extended from 30 to 90 days and run as long as 120 to 180 days. Extension of credit terms in international trade eases the importer's problems and has a favor- able effect on volume of sales. Even the best credit risks cannot obtain bank credit because of Government controls on extension of credit by banks. Ordinary capital available to business enterprises for buying raw materials is tied up in credit extended to customers to promote sales; such enterprises are squeezed if they must pay for imports on a cash basis. The general attitude of the Mexican Government has been to encourage development of the domes- tic industry, with tariff protection and taxes on imported luxury goods. This broad policy affect- ing all branches of industrial development almost equally applies fully to the plastics industry. New plants manufacturing products which are necessary for Mexico's industrial development can apply for the benefits of the law for New Necessary Industries if 60 percent of the raw ma- terials are of Mexican origin. With or without such benefits, a manufacturer of a product in suf- ficient quantities to meet domestic needs usually receives high tariff protection against competition from similar imported products. This applies not only to producers of finished products but also to intermediate processors. Tariff protection is in- tended to provide encouragement for as much do- mestic processing as possible. Natural resins available from domestic sources are used in comparatively small amounts in the production of sizing for the textile industry. There is no other use of domestic natural materials in the plastics industry. Benzol, formaldehyde, chlo- rine, phenol, and cellulose nitrate (for explosives only) are produced and the manufacture of urea is anticipated. The 100 -metric ton production of polyamide fil- ament by Celanese Mexicana during 1956 will be greatly increased because the figure represents not only production for a small part of the year, but also at far below full capacity. PEMEX is expected to commence production of polyethylene resin during 1959 under the Phillips process with a plant of about 6800-metric-ton an- nual capacity. The plant may be located at the Atzacapotzalco (near Mexico City), Salamanca, or Poza Rica refinery. Production of vinyl chloride monomers is thought to be under consideration. Celanese Mexicana is making plans to manufac- ture vinyl acetate monomers. It has a plant with an annual capacity of about 2,500 metric tons to manufacture polyvinyl acetate. It also has begun the production of polyester resins, with an esti- mated annual capacity of 2,000 metric tons. Reichhold Chemicals de Mexico, S. A. is ex- pected to begin the production of alkyds in the near future. Large consumers of plastics materials have modern equipment for manufacture of various plastics products. They have access to the best markets for machinery and capital to purchase the equipment, and duties are extremely low for such imports. For the small user, new, fast molding machinery is high in cost, capacity is greater than needs, and equipment requires sub- stantial technical upkeep. A good, cheap, limited- production machine can often better serve the needs of the small shop than a high-speed, high- efficiency machine. As long as slow methods are more economical, finishers will probably continue to use them, as the size of capital investment for more modern and efficient machines is a substan- tial deterrent to many small operators. Investment in the plastics industry has been es- timated at around l.OOOmillion pesos (US$80mil- lion), 10-15 percent representing primary pro- ducers and 85-90percentmolders and finishers. Employment is estimated at some 6,000 people, with about 10-13 percent engaged in production and the balance in fabrication and finishing oper- ations. This figure does not include those en- gaged in retail selling. Table 25.— Mexico: Estimated Production and Consumption of Plastics Materials, 1956 Polyvinyl chloride. Polyvinyl acetate.. Polystyrene Cellulose acetate.. Cellophane Phenol ic resins... . Total.. Polyvinyl chloride.. Polyvinyl acetate... Polystyrene Polyethylene iide.. Cell ulose nitrate, (including scrap).. Phenolic resir Urea and melan Casein Polyester resi Alkyds Silicones 1,350.0 2,700.0 400 .0 2,305 1,956. 2,700. 2,300. Trade estimates. [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1 ,000 peso ■ ] Commod i ty Quantity Value Urea resins in colorless solutions not less than 70 percent solid 260 2,753 Urea and melamine formaldehyde type, colorless solution not less than 45 percent solid 609 4,279 Phenolic resins, nonpigmented 702 5,269 Phenolic resins, pigmented 39 299 Polystyrene 128 1,932 Polystyrene, modified with synthetic Synthetic resins, solid, base of cellulose, urea, maleic, carbamic and sebacic acids, polyamides and other synthetic products n.s.m., nonpigmented 5,719 49,595 Synthetic resins, solid, base of cellulose, urea, maleic, carbamic and sebacic acids, polyamides and other synthetic products, n.s.m., pigmented... 883 10,823 Polyvinyl acetate solid and compounds 30 268 473 280 504 72 3,107 Celluloid sheets Celluloid tubes (*) Celluloid rods (M 16 See footnote at end of table. Table 26.— Mexico: Imports of Plastic and Res i i Materials, 1956— Con. [Quantity in metric tons; value !n 1,000 pesos] Celluloid unfinished molding; Cel 1 ulose acetate sheets more than 25 grams per square Vinyl sheets weig ing more th n 0.07 grams but not mo e than 40 g rams per V iny 1 tubes weigh ng up to 1 dlogram dec imeter Sheets of synthetic Ebonite or synthetic unfinished loldir Ebonite or synthetic resin, tubes, n.s.m. Ebonite or synthetic resin rods, n.s.m. Sheets of synthetic resin for decorating walls whether or not adhering to paper.. Ebonite or synthetic resin sheets, n.s.m. Cel lophane paper Total I ,521 Less than one metric ton. n.s.m. —Not separately mentioned. Source: Anuario Estadistico Del Comercio Exterior Oe Los Estados Unidos Mexicanas, 1956. Table 27.— Mexico: Estimated Consumption of Plastics Materials, by Principal Type, Processing Method, and Use, 1956 Consumption Material and application Approx imate percent of total Quantity Thermoplast ics 100 50 30 20 Drv processing Extrusion - wire insulation.... Profiles - hose, belting, welt, Plastisols: Slush molding - dolls, boots, coated racks, Record compounds Paint industry 25.0 See footnote at end of table. Table 27.— Mexico: Estimated Consumption of Plastics Materials, by Principal Type, Processing Method, and Use, 1956-Con. [Quantity in metric tons] Consumption Table 27.— Mexico: Estimated Consumption of Plastics Materials, by Principal Type, Processing Method, and Use, 1956-Con. Thermoplastics— Con. Polyvinyl acetate emulsions Textile finishes.. Adhesives (not plywood) Paint industry Other Polystyrene radio-TV cabinets, refrigeration cabinets, combs, toothbrushes, Extrusion - sheets used for vacuui forming: displays, refrigeration cabinets, packaging, disposable Kralastic materials, special applications Polyethylene Film and laminated paper , Bottles and containers Wire coating - high tension insulation Polyamide- bristles, brushes, fishini lines, combs, gears Cellulose acetate (flakes) Injection molding - toilet seats, toys, housewares Extrusion profile - tubes, handle: for tools Cellophane Food and candy packaging C igarette packaging Other packaging; plastic tape Approx imate of total Thermopl astics— Con. lisplays..! '. Sheets-frames for eyeglasses.... Solutions Paints and varnishes Coatings for cellophane Rubber and plastic items Inks Thermosetting materials Phenol ics-texti le sizing, paints, radio-TV cabinets, hoses, electric fixtures Polyesters-sheeting for roofs and panels, boats, chairs Urea and melamine formaldehyde- plywood adhesives, textile sizing, paints, tableware Casein-buttons, combs, plywood Alkyds-paint industry Celluloid-adhesives, molders icones-water repellent coating, ass and rubber molds, lubricants eaners and polishers Grand total 1,250.0 300.0 100.0 17,487.0 Following is a list of principal foreign manufacturers and importers of synthetic resins and plastics materials in Mexico as of June 1957: Principal manufacturers or importers Material Monsanto Mexicana, S. A Polyvinyl chloride Geon de Mexico, S. A. Celanese Mexicana, S. A Polyvinyl acetate Industrial Schwartz, S. A. Polimeros, S. A. Southern Chemical Products Du Pont, S. A. de C. V. (importer) Polyvinyl butyral Monsanto Mexicana, S. A. (importer) Omni de Mexico (importer) Polyvinylidene chloride Polaquimia, S. A. (importer) Monsanto Mexicana, S. A Polystyrene Bakelite de Mexico, S. A. Bakelite de Mexico, S. A Polyethylene Du Pont, S. A. de C. V. (film and laminated paper) Canadian Industries, Ltd. Monsanto Mexicana, S. A. U. S. Industrial Chemical Celanese Mexicana, S. A. (yarn only) Polyamide Du Pont, S. A. de C. V. (importer) Celanese Mexicana, S. A Cellulose acetate Monsanto Mexicana, S. A. Plasticos Internacionales, S. A. (PISA) Celanese Mexicana, S. A Cellophane Celorey, S. A. DuPont, S. A. de C. V. (importer) Acrylics DuPont, S. A. de C. V. (importer) „ Cellulose nitrate Watson Phillips (importer) Bakelite de Mexico, S. A Phenolics Celanese Mexicana, S. A. (importer) Polyesters Rodmayer de Mexico, S. A. (importer) Bakelite de Mexico, S. A. (importer) Reichold Chemicals de Mexico, S. A. Industrial Schwartz, S. A. (importer) . Urea formaldehyde Cia Quimica Cosco (importer) Melamine formaldehyde Cia Quimica Cosco (importer) „ Casein NICARAGUA 1 CHEMICAL AND RUBBER INDUSTRY REPORT, Plastics materials are not produced in Nicara- gua. Output of plastics products is limited to the manufacture of buttons, tableware, and combs by two small processing plants. Consumption of primary materials (urea- formaldehyde and polystyrene molding powders) has been fairly constant during the past several years and imports have been entirely from the United States. Imports of urea -formaldehyde molding powder averaged 103,147 pounds annually during 1953-56, while imports of polystyrene molding powder increased from 10,000 pounds in 1953 to 15,000 pounds during 1956. (Import data were supplied by the processors since official import statistics are not available because of the grouping of plastics with other materials in the classification used by Nicaraguan Customs.) Processors import their materials directly from United States manufacturers in 50 -kilogram drums. Usual terms of payment are sight draft against delivery of shipping documents. Because of the prior-deposit requirement system used in Nicaragua, before an import permit is issued the importer must deposit with any domestic bank, in local currency, the dollar equivalent of the order. The United States has had little competition for plastics in the Nicaraguan market. German man- ufacturers reportedly have been active in this small market but have been unsuccessful, accord- ing to local producers. The future of the plastics - processing industry in Nicaragua is said to be ex- cellent, but sales promotion by plastics manufac- turers is needed to make consumers realize the advantages of products made from plastics. PANAMA i CHEMICAL AND RUBBER INDUSTRY REPORT, Plastics materials are not produced in the Re- public of Panama. Output of plastics is limited to the fabrication and finishing of articles manufac- tured from plastic film and sheeting, using im- ported materials. One company has been in operation for 2 years converting plastics, principally film, into finished bags and covers for groceries, candy, hardware, garments, phonograph records, and food contain- ers. Monthly output is reported at 200,000 units of all sizes, requiring about 6,000 pounds of plas- tics materials (film) in rolls. Film in thicknesses of 1.25 mils to 4 mils and widths of 3 inches to 10 feet is mainly used. The most popular plastic bags and those in largest production are in sizes 3 by 3 1/2 inches to 4 by 7 inches. Maximum daily (8 hours) output of these bags is reported at 20,- 000. There is also a small production of table- cloths and shower curtains. There are also establishments that print designs or decorate materials, engage in interior decorat- ing and upholstering, and make seat coverings for automobiles and miscellaneous items for which imported plastics materials meet requirements. Despite recent improvement in the quality of the finished materials, generally they are not comparable to those made in the United States. The higher unit price of the finished imported product has been an inducement for domestic fab- rication. For several years the United States has had lit- tle competition in the Panamanian market for plas- tics. From 1953 to 1955 it supplied from 94 to 97 percent of Panama's imports of plastics materials and products. See table 28. Plastics materials are classified under Article 8 of the customs tariff and are dutiable at a rate of 15 percent ad valorem. To this duty must be added a consular invoice fee of 5 percent of the f.o.b. port of embarkation value of the merchan- dise, plus a tax of 2 cents on each bundle, pack- age, case, or box, regardless of size or weight. Merchandising methods employed in the United States are closely followed in Panama. Leading importers anticipate an increasing demand for plastics materials for processing into finished products and the outlook for sales of U. S. manu- factured plastics is considered favorable. Table 28.- Imports of Plastic aterials 3 in US$] 'roducts 1953-55 Country of origin 1953 1954 I955 1 Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value 266,065 1,440 670 216,630 1,352 579 323,038 2,240 1,497 2 383 236,730 4,484 1,375 12 280 1,238,238 8,757 1,525 19,054 8,135 300 2,293 5,849 5,840 6,799 734,580 921 1,828 928 873 668 273 271 101 29 1,560 20 3 799 854 619 264 600 226 1,674 375 2,256 4,461 8,099 3,679 366 941 430 393 1,732 311 Mexico 2,388 159 353 1,768 261 333 2, 156 2,348 Honduras Japan Peru 1,737 1,042 10, 168 5,637 23 1 864 7,607 3,610 525 666 274,883 224,728 331,797 247,679 1,315,846 792,760 i of Comptroller General. WORLD SURVEY OF PLASTICS Chapter IV South America South America accounts for less than one per- cent of world output of plastics and resin materi- als. Production of these materials is limited to Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. Other countries in this area are solely dependent upon imports for their requirements for the manufacture of plas- tics products. Imports in 1955-56 were approxi- mately 75 million pounds, or 9 percent of world imports. Apparent consumption was 131 million pounds, or 2 percent of world consumption. Ex- ports were negligible. Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela accounted for nearly 42 million pounds of plastics and resin materials (or 9.9 percent) exported from the United States in 1956. The United States imports virtually no plastics materials from South Amer - ica. The United States supplies a large amount of plastics materials to South America, but Euro- pean competition for this market continues to in- crease. ARGENTINA Size and Scope of Industry Phenol, urea, and melamine formaldehyde mold- ing powders have been produced in Argentina for a number of years. Production meets market re- quirements for phenol-formaldehyde and, more recently, for urea -formaldehyde. Plant capacity exceeds requirements and no imports of these materials are permitted. Domestic output of mel- amine formaldehyde meets only a small part of requirements. Techniques followed in Argentina for the manu- facture of plastics materials and products are gen- erally those used in other countries. Except for a small amount of casein in galalith, practically no natural indigenous substances are consumed. A significant amount of raw materials for the manufacture of thermosetting molding powders must be imported, although Atanor S. A. produces formaldehyde and Fensud S. A. (Cia Quimica and F. Bayer) expected to install facilities late in 1957 for the annual production of 3,000 metric tons of phenol. Facilities for the production of phthalic anhydride have been enlarged; current capacity is about one million metric tons annually. Thermoplastic materials are not produced on a commercial basis, although molding and process- ing capacity exists. In December 1956, Monsanto Argentina S. A., with plant capacity of 2,400 tons annually, began production of polystyrene from imported monomers. A polystyrene plant of simi- lar capacity was authorized for Industrias Plas ticas Argentinas Koppers S. A., but as of January 9, 1957, construction had not begun. Only a small pilot plant (Viplastic) is producing polyvinyl chlo- ride. Two large-scale projects for polyvinyl chlo- ride manufacture were authorized for Industrias Quimicas Argentinas "Duperial" S.A.I.C. and Indupa (Pechiney, Paris). Several firms consider- ing investments in polyethylene and other thermo- plastics were deterred by lack of adequate sup- plies of raw materials. In July 1955, Duperial announced plans to build a 4,000-ton polyethylene plant. Thermoplastics are reportedly the fastest grow- ing materials in the Argentine market, but con- sumption of all principal plastics is expanding. A significant increase in the laminating business is indicated. Processing capacity for plastics was estimated at about 15,050 tons in 1956, and a po- tential of about 29,010 tons was foreseen by 1960 (table 31). Consumption of plastics materials by processors was approximately 13,850 tons in 1954-55. The fabricating branch of the industry is well established and has about 620 plants, mostly small and including over 400 molders. Total employment is about 10,000. Larger firms employ 150 to 500 workers. Production and Trade Table 29 shows production of phenolic and other tar-acid resins, and urea and melamine resins in 1955. Consumption of other plastics materials depends primarily upon imports and no informa- tion by specific types is available. Total imports of galalith and similar materials by country of origin for 1954-55, are shown in table 30. These comprise only a part of total Table 29.— Argent ina: Estimated Production of Plastics Materials, I955 1 [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 pesos 2 ] Type of m terial Quantity Value Phenolic a id other ta -acid resins: 2,100 400 200 1,000 300 100 100 e resins resins Urea resin 20,000 and adhesiv e resins Protect resins Melamine r different 1,500 77,500 nch include f i 1 imports of all synthetic resins and plastic mate- rials, based upon a comparison with U. S. exports of synthetic resins and plastics materials to Ar- gentina. These amounted to about 723 metric tons in 1954 and 1,469 metric tons in 1955. A liberalization of imports followed the change in government in October 1955 and the devalua- tion of the peso. Beginning in January 1956, ther- moplastics and other plastics materials were either freed from import licensing and permitted unrestricted importation on the free market or granted automatic licensing at the official rate of exchange. Automatic licensing was extended to synthetic rubber and to phenol and urea and its compounds, but import restrictions remain on plastics manufactured within the country, mainly phenol and urea formaldehyde molding powders, and phthalic anhydride. In view of import and other restrictions that re- duced the supply of plastics in Argentina in re- cent years, it is very likely that a number of items will be made from new materials when they become available. Glass fiber reinforced polyes- ter material is an example of a product not for- merly available in Argentina and likely to share in the market. In general, no preference for U. S. products is apparent except for specific grades of some ma- terials. U. S. products complete well in terms of price, quality, and utility with materials from other countries. At the end of 1956, the market for im- ported plastics was about saturated, but this situa- tion is expected to clear up following readjustment of inventories and easing of the tight credit situa- tion. The Government policy of protecting domestic manufacture may be expected to continue and the foreign market is likely to remain closed for Table 30.— Argent ina: Imports of Galalith and Similar Materials, I951-55 1 [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 pesos] 1951 1955 Quantity Value Quantity Value tin i ted States 73.5 781.1 31.2 8.3 6.5 549.1 8.5 153.3 100.8 1,311.5 .8 614 433 1 1,128 197 313 37 3,886 66 990 678 10,133 127 42.2 2.3 23.9 1,798.4 65.4 78.1 1 , 975 . 6 249.6 742.5 2,693.6 44.0 357 Total 3,066.3 28,602 7,715.6 67,796 those products manufactured by domestic indus- try. With manufacture of phenol and polystyrene scheduled, these products will shortly be added to the list of prohibited imports. Table 31. — Argentina: Estimated Processi Capacity and Consumption of Plastics Mater [ In metric tons] Consumption 1954-55 Capacity 1956 I960 Acryl ics 1,500 1,860 1,590 2,680 2,860 1 ,090 2,270 insig. : 360 1,360 50 2,270 3,990 3,180 1 ,230 340 2,270 500 8 170 Vinyl (includes plasticizers). . 5,440 Melamine resins Phenol ic resins no 13,850 15,050 29 010 sing facilities being installed, other ally polystyrene, may replace acrylics, rce: Argentina Plastics Chamber (a trs Exports of plastics materials are not sepa- rately classified in Argentine trade statistics but are believed to be negligible. Marketing and Distribution Plastics are generally distributed direct by man- ufacturers except for three firms who are manu- facturers of raw materials as well as molders. All the other producers of molding powders sell to plastics products manufacturers. At the end of 1956, money was in short supply, aggravated by the high cost of raw materials re- sulting from devaluation of the peso in October 1955, and financing was widespread. Credit terms from 90 to 180 days were generally required. Ex- cept for a few leading molders, it appeared unfea- sible for foreign manufacturers to deal direct with consumers. Industry sources recommend the serv- ices of an exclusive representative as the most satisfactory means of doing business. Foreign Investment Monsanto Argentina S. A. was reportedly the only U. S. firm manufacturing plastics materials in Argentina in early 1957. It has invested about $780,000 in its polystyrene plant, which opened in December 1956. Monsanto -Atanor was formed in 1946 at Munro for the manufacture of phenolic Argentina: Principal Manufacturers of Plastics Materials, 1955 Manufacturer Monsanto-Atanor S. A Monsanto-Atanor S. A Industrias Quimicas Argentinas Duperial S.A.I.C. . Plastiversal S.A.I.C Plastica Bernabo S. A ., Establecimientos Plasticos Argentinos S. A. Celusina S. A. . , Cia de Productos Conen S. A..... Establecimientos Plasticos Argentinos S. A. Monsanto-Atanor S. A Patricios S.A.C.I.A.F Patricios S.A.C.I.A.F Fabrica Argentina de Productos Indus- trials (FAPI) S. A. Quimpla S.R.L Location Material Phenolic Annual capacity (metric tons) 1,000 Munro Resins 1,000 1,200 San Nicolas.... Sheets, laminates, etc.. 2,000 1,200 Quilmes 720 480 240 Casein Quilmes......... Galalith 360 Urea 600 1,800 Lanus Adhesives and resins... 1,200 90 350 Adhesives 360 Source: Argentina Plastics Chamber (a trade association). 49 and urea resins and molding powder; Monsanto Chemical Co. supplied chiefly technical know-how. Following separation of the firms in mid- 1956, the plant and equipment at Munro remained with Atanor, an Argentine company which has some U. S. stockholder participation and financial ties with a U. S. company. Under plans of Koppers International, C. A. to manufacture polystyrene in participation with other Argentine investors, Koppers will supply part of the capital ($850,000) and technical know-how. No other marketing or technical agreements with U. S. firms are known to exist. Other foreign investments are principally by Imperial Chemical Industries Limited (London) in the manufacture by Industrias Quimicas Ar- gentinas "Duperial" S.A.I.C. of phenolic resins and molding powders. Plastiversal S.A.I.C. , manu- facturers of phenolic sheets and laminates, has signed an agreement with B.I.P. Chemicals Ltd., to develop all products of this English manufac- turer in Argentina, especially urea powder resins and melamine. Prior to the change in government in September 1955, government policy toward foreign invest- ment was highly restrictive. Some liberalization has occurred, including the unfreezing of current remittances in October 1955. Plastics Processing Machinery The four major types of plastics -molding (in- jection, compression, transfer, and extrusion) machinery are made in Argentina, but manufac- turing capacity is limited. Nearly every factory has its own toolroom to produce molds, jigs, and fixtures. Until recently there were no special- ized independent toolmakers, but some speciality die -making companies have been established. Special equipment has to be imported and molders prefer U. S. machinery, especially for large- scale work. The outright restriction on importation of ma- chinery in effect since 1950 is hampering the ex- pansion of manufacturing facilities and the use of plastics materials. Of highest priority is the need for injection-molding and vacuum -forming machines. A license agreement with a U. S. firm for the manufacture of injection, extrusion, and calendering machines is reportedly under negotia- tion. In 1955, plastics-processing equipment in- cluded 615 injection machines, 147 extrusion machines, 2,459 compression presses, and 5 calenders. BOLIVIA Plastics materials are not produced in Bolivia nor are there any exports of plastics materials or manufactures. Consumption equals imports. The following list shows Bolivia's average annual con- sumption of plastics materials in 1954-55: Item Pounds Polystyrene 99,000 Polyethylene 28,000 Urea -formaldehyde 30,000 Phenol -formaldehyde 5,000 Total 162,000 The Bolivian industry manufactures combs, cups, dishes, toys, electrical fixtures, dress hangers, and miscellaneous items. Production of plastics products in 1953-55 was: Year Quantity Value (1,000 units) (1,000 bolivianos) 1 1953 3,366 1954 4,467 1955 5,031 22,847 134,011 183,874 1 One bo] i viano equals US^O. 00011. Source: Industry estimates. All plastics materials used in Bolivia were sup- plied by the United States. Only limited quantities are imported, increasing slightly in recent years, because of an acute shortage of foreign exchange. The services of U. S. producers can be improved by giving prompt attention to orders and providing samples of improved plastics products and tech- nical reports on colors and types of materials that can be adapted to the Bolivian market. The only Bolivian laws which pertain to the manu- facture of plastics products are those regulating labor conditions, wages, and production generally. Decrees which have the most important effect are those restricting the use of foreign exchange to specified imports, including plastics materials. Injection- and compression -molding machines are used in the manufacture of plastics articles. Equipment currently in use is considered adequate to meet any increased demand for plastics prod- ucts. BRAZIL Production of plastics and resins in Brazil in- creased 22 percent in 1956 over 1955; imports in- creased 6.3 percent. No exports were made in 1955 and less than 0.5 metric tons valued at about $1,000 in 1956. Domestic production accounted for 79 percent of Brazil's total 1956 consumption of 23,100 metric tons of plastics materials and imports, 21 percent. In 1955, domestic production amounted to 74 per- cent of total consumption of 20,390 tons, and im- ports, 26 percent. Production of synthetic resins and plastics ma- terials is heavily concentrated, the Sao Paulo District accounting for 86.5 percent, the Federal District 6.5 percent, and Curitiba 5.0 percent. About 70 Table 32.— Brazil: Production of Plastics Materials, 1955-56 [ In metric tons] Material 1955 1956 Percent change 1956 over 1955 2,600 5,760 1,800 1,000 1,000 500 100 180 90 2,000 5,200 11,800 2,100 1,600 1 ,100 600 200 300 170 2,200 + 100 Phenol -formaldehyde + 17 + 60 + 20 + 100 + 66 + 89 + 10 Melamine-formaldehyde 18,270 + 22 Table 33. — Brazil: Estimated Consumption < Plastics Materials by End Use, 1956 [ In metric tons] End use Quantity Percent Moldina 9,700 960 6,000 1,800 1,600 3,040 42 „ Special prepar ations not specified 23,100 100 Table 3^.— Brazil: Estimated Apparent Consumption of Plastics Materials and Synthetic Resins, 1955-56 [ In metr c tons] Type 1955 1956 Quantity Percent of total Quantity Percent of total 5,100 5,760 2,050 1,500 1,000 900 400 250 240 90 500 2,600 25 28 10 7 5 5 2 1 1 3 13 6,200 4,800 2,300 2,000 1,100 1,000 1,000 400 330 170 800 3,000 27 21 10 9 Phenol-formaldehyde. . Urea-formaldehyde Cellulose acetate * Melamine-formaldehyde Polyester resins Preparations for 2 1 1 13 20,390 100 23,100 100 Less than 0.5 [ percent of the plastics processing industry is lo- cated in Sao Paulo and 30 percent in the Federal District; about 36 percent of plastics products are consumed in Sao Paulo, 28 percent in Federal Dis- trict, and 15 percent in Porto Alegre. Considerable Foreign capital is invested in the Brazilian plastics industry, according to a trade source, amounting to as much as 40 percent of the total, of which about half is supplied by U. S. in- terests. Table 35. — New Investments for the Production of Synthetic Resins and Plastics Materials Company Material capacity (metric tons) Estimated in- (US$1000) Operations to start or expand in Poles ter Polyethylene Acrylic resins Acetate of vinyl. . .. Nylon types" Nylon types 4 Polyvinyl chloride.. Polyvinyl chloride.. 1,200 4,000 75 4,000 1,200 2,160 12,000 10,000 800 5,000 600 2,000 2,000 10,000 5,000 4,000 Union Carbide do Brasil, Rua Formosa, Dentaria Brasileira Industria e Comercio, Companhia Quimica Rhodia Brasileira, Rilsam do Brasil, S.A., SP Companhia Quimica Rhodia Brasileira, I957 5 S.A. Geon do Brasil Industria e Comercio, Industrias Quimicas Eletro Cloro S.A., Total .= 34,635 29,400 Equipment ordered. Expansion plans. ion to start. 3 Under study. u Probably includes nylon for textiles. ) of the Plastics Materials Industry of the State of Sao Paulo and associates. Table 36.— Brazil: Imports of Pla [ Quantity in metric to i and Resin Mater alue in US $1,000] Urea formaldehyde Phenol formaldehyde He I amine formaldehyde Pol yethy lene Vinyl resins Acrylic resins Cellulose acetate in powder and granules.... Celluloid in sheets Celluloid in tubes Celluloid n.e.s , Varnish bases (plasticated cellulose, pigmented or not).. Ethers derived from cellulose, n.e.s Natural resin derivatives , Other Total 521.9 245.5 136.8 430.6 —Not elsewhere specified. ^ess than 0.5 metric ton and le; s: Estatistica Do Comercio Exterior. 590.6 126.2 160.0 1,126.3 1,291.3 36.6 575.0 130.8 Brazilian Producers of Synthetic Resins and Plastic Materials Located in Sao Paulo, 1955 Company Commodity AdhesivoeLacticinios Brasil- America Alba S. A. Bakol S. A. Industria e Comer- cio. Ci'a. Brasileira de Plasticos Koppers. Ci'a. Quimica Rhodia Brasil- eira. Fabrica de Productos Quimi- cos Auxiliares Brositex S. A. Industria de Massas Plasticos Plastiresiana Ltda. Industria e Comercio Geon do Brasil. Industrias Aliberti S. A. Industrias Quimicas Electro- Cloro. Industrias Reunidas Francisco Matarazzo Co. Industrias Reunidas Sinteticas e Conexos Ltda. Material Electrico, Metais e Ferragens Arbame S. A. Resana S. A. Industrias Quimicas. Phenolic resins and molding compounds, urea resins. Polystyrene, polyesters. Polystyrene, polyesters. Cellulose acetate. Vinyl acetate, acrylic resins. Phenolic resins. Polyvinyl chloride. Casein plastics, phenolic and urea resins. Polyvinyl chloride. Polyvinyl chloride. Synthetic resins. Phenolic resins and molding compounds. Phenolic and urea resins and mold- ing compounds, polyesters, alkyd resins, maleic resins, ester gums. Company Resinbra S. A. Industria Brasileira de Resinas Sinteticas. S. A. Comercio Repre- sentacoes Administracao Sacra. Shilling Hillier S. A Wandal Resinas Sinteticas.. Commodity Phenolic resins. Phenolic and urea resins. Vinyl acetate, acrylic resins. Phenolic resins, urea resins, alkyds, maleic resins, ester gums. With the exception of a small output of alkyd resins there is no production of plastics materials in Chile. The plastics fabricating industry is well estab- lished and production of plastics goods has been gradually increasing during the past several years. In 1956, Chile abolished the system of import li- censes and fixed multiple exchange rates which had governed its foreign trade in recent years. There was instituted instead a system of free im- ports of goods on a list of authorized imports, combined with a list of prohibited imports and a limited fluctuating exchange. With the change in import policy, plastics fabricators are able to import as much raw materials and machinery as they wish to expand their operations. As a result, there is considerable optimism among business- men in the plastics field and if conditions continue as anticipated there should be greater sales op- portunities for exporters in this market. Total annual consumption of all types of plastics materials is estimated at about 1,500 metric tons. One paint factory produces 240 tons a year of alkyd resins and is planning to produce modified phenolic resins. There are about 45 firms engaged in the plastics processing business in Chile with 8 major con- cerns consuming about 80 percent of all plastics materials used in the industry. In 1955, these 8 major firms consumed approximately 734 tons of polyvinyl chloride, 462 tons of polystyrene, 91 tons of phenolic resins, 70 tons of polyethylene, 39 tons of melamine resins, and 36 tons of urea resins. In addition, small amounts of plastics bars and sheets were used. Injection molding, extrusion, laminating, and calendering are the principal methods used in the manufacture of plastics products. Six of the major fabricating firms have a total plant investment of $4.5 million with an overall total employment of 811 workers and office employees. These firms produce vinyl film, supported leather goods, rigid sheets, vinyl -covered paper, household appliances, housewares, toys, radio cabinets, combs, buttons, costume jewelry, automobile accessories, bags, coated wire, garden hose and containers. The general attitude among plastics fabricators is optimistic and the volume of production and sales is expected to increase steadily during the next few years. Trade sources estimate that con- sumption of materials by the entire plastics fab- ricating industry in 1957 will increase 10 to 15 percent above the average of 1955-56. Imports of plastics materials in powder form during 1954 totaled 1,196,966 kilograms, valued at $914,569; laminated bars and sheets totaled 16,723 kilograms, valued at $41,413. Imports for 1955 are shown in table 37. Exports of plastic products from Chile have been negligible. There is no foreign investment in Chile's plas- tics fabricating industry, nor are there any United States or foreign branch factories. In recent years the United States share of sales in this market was low because of exchange short - i Mater i a 1 s , Country Plastics materials in powder form Laminated plastic bars and sheets Kilograms Value Kilograms Value Germany (West)... Belgium 391,182 27,116 98,315 597 482,109 62,095 2,750 $283,651 31,133 80,353 593 297,731+ 47,737 2,507 8,031 3,788 $20,671 8,528 1,600 United Kingdom... 156 51 582 2,641 tory agency) . n (import-export reguli ages and restrictions on imports from dollar areas. With the institution of Chile's new import and exchange policy in April 1956, as part of the Government's economic rectification program, a greater share of the market is expected. The United States is generally regarded as the best source of supply of plastics materials because of quality, good delivery schedules, little significant price differences between various materials, and technical assistance provided by manufacturers. Following are brief descriptions of the eight major plastics processing firms and their 1955 consumption of raw materials: INDUSTRIA MANUFACTURER A DE TEL AS PLAS- TICAS Y LATEX, S.A. IMPLATEX, SANTIAGO. Laminating and calendering. Produces vinyl films, supported leather, rigid sheets, and vinyl -supported paper. Consumed approximately 700,000 pounds of polyvinyl chloride and 350,000 pounds of plasticizers. PLASTIX CHILENA SHYF S.A., SANTIAGO. Injec- tion, compression, and extrusion molding, of household appliance parts, toys, housewares, radio cabinets, and automobile accessories. Consumed approximately 170,000 pounds of phenolics, 80,000 pounds of urea, 88,000 pounds of melamine, 250,000 pounds of polystyrene, 20,000 pounds of vinyl, 40,000 pounds of ace- tate, and 40,000 pounds of polyethylene. REIFSCHNELDER Y LANIO LTDA. REICOLITE, SANTIAGO. Compression and injection molding of buttons, housewares, combs, costume jewelry, and industrial custom molding. Consumed approximately 84 metric tons of polystyrene, 24 tons of polyethylene, and 12 tons of phenolics. COBRE CERRILLOS S.A. COCESA, SANTIAGO. Manufacturer of copper wire, and extrusion of wire-coating and film bags. Consumed approxi- mately 200 metric tons polyvinyl chloride and 15 tons of polyethylene. MANUFACTURAS DE COBRE S.A. MADECO, SANTIAGO. Manufacturer of copper wire, tub- ing, and pipe, and extrusion coating of copper wire. Consumed approximately 100 metric tons of polyvinyl chloride and 10 tons of polyethylene. HADDAD, HIJOS Y CIA., SANTIAGO. Extrusion and injection, for production of coated wire, film bags, combs, and garden hose. Consumed approximately 100 metric tons of polyvinyl chlo- ride and 100 tons of polystyrene. ENRIQUE J. REIFSCHNELDER REIFOX, SANTI- AGO. Injection and vacuum molding, and extru- sion of housewares, toys, buttons, combs, con- tainers, and industrial custom molding such as radio cabinets. Consumed approximately 132,- 000 pounds of polystyrene, 6,600 pounds of polyethylene, 8,800 pounds of polyvinyl chloride, and 4,400 pounds of phenol -form aldehyde. MEHECH, MUSALEM Y CIA., LTDA., SANTIAGO. Injection molding of combs and automobile ac- cessories. Consumed approximately 100 metric tons of polystyrene and a very small amount of polyethylene. COLOMBIA Colombia does not produce plastics and syn- thetic resins. A fertilizer plant is being estab- lished in Barrancabermeja, where the largest oil- wells and a petroleum refinery are located, and some petroleum byproducts are expected to be ob- tained in 1958. Initially, the plant will produce nitric acid, ammonium nitrate, urea, and synthetic ammonia, and later some plastics materials which are imported at present. The injection- and compression -molding, ex- trusion, and coating branches of the processing in- dustry are well established, using imported raw materials. There are 27 manufacturers of plas- tics products; 7 firms are in Bogota, 7 in Medellin, 7 in Call, 4 in Barranquilla, and 2 in Palmira. They are engaged principally in the manufacture of household articles, tableware, toys, buttons, dolls, combs, toothbrushes, garden hose, belts, eyeglass frames, coated paper and fabrics, rigid and flexible containers, squeeze bottles, cosmetic containers, and caps for collapsible tubes. Manu- facturers reportedly are in the market for new molding machinery. There are no foreign investments nor branch factories in the Colombian plastics industry. During 1954 the United States supplied 62 per- cent of Colombia's total imports of plastics ma- terials. In 1955 the percentage dropped to 46.4. The most notable decrease occurred in cellulose derivatives, which declined from 400 metric tons in 1954 to 140 tons in 1955, due to larger imports from Canada at lower c.i.f. costs. Until the materials are produced in Colombia, it is unlikely that plastics products will compete suc- cessfully with glass, wood, leather, and paper items. United States producers of materials may con- tribute to the development and efficiency of the Colombian industry by furnishing more scientific and technical services. Because of their higher quality and greater utility, there is a marked pref- erence for United States materials compared with those from European countries. However, Canada and Europe are gradually securing a larger share of the market because of lower prices, more credit facilities, and prompt deliveries. By Decree No. 3125, December 20, 1956, the Colombian Government established new import groups in which all commodities are now classi- fied. One group comprises critical items, essen- tial raw materials, and agricultural machinery and spare parts which may be imported with official dollars. Another group includes semifinished raw materials, intermediate goods, machinery in gen- eral, and some products not strictly essential. According to the Decree, plastics materials under Customs Tariff Positions 277 and 279 are in the first group mentioned above and will be charged a stamp tax of 40 percent of the value of the li- cense. Plastics materials under Customs Tariff Positions 965 and 967 have been classified in the second group and will be charged a stamp tax of 60 percent of the value of the license. In addition, import licenses for importation of plastics ma- terials must be approved by the Ministry of De- velopment and the Colombian Office of Exchange Registry. Table 38. — Colombia's Imports of Plastics Materials, 1953-55 [Metric tons] Statis- tical Type 1953 1954 1955 number 277-1 Cellulose derivatives in powder, 3, 103 2,515 277-3 Cellulose acetate sheets, less 502 578 277-4 Cellulose acetate, in blocks, sheets, tubes, or rods, unproc- 6 573 2,117 394 1,145 3,411 443 277-5 Viscose, sheets less than 3/4 279-1 Synthetic resins, in pieces, 5,014 279-2 Synthetic resins, sheets less 279-3 Synthetic resins, in blocks, sheets, tubes, or rods, 260 554 965-1 Celluloid and other cellulose plastics materials in sheets, less than 3/4 mill imeter thick 20 28 29 965-3 Celluloid and other cellulose plastics materials, roughly 26 25 23 967-1 Synthetic plastics materials with a basis of phenol ics, urea, and tar-acid resins in sheets of less 242 349 412 967-2 Plastics materials with a basis of phenol ics, urea, and tar-acid resins in blocks, plates, tubes, 144 200 Total 7,387 9,259 12,647 Source: Colombia —Colombia's Estimated Consumption of Plastics Materials, 1955 [Thousand pounds, dry basis] Materi Cellulose acetate and mixed estei Polyethylene and polyester resins Polyvinyl chloride and copolymer Urea, phenolic, and other tar-aci Total (Reprinted from CHEMICAL AND RUBBER INDUSTRY REPORT, May 1958) There is no production of plastics materials in Ecuador. Manufacture of polyethylene, primarily for making bags for packaging bananas for export, has been proposed. Since promulgation of the new industrial de- velopment law in June 1957, 6 firms have applied to the Planning Board for permits to manufacture plastics materials or products. None of the firms is producing or will be for several years. Consumption of plastics materials depends upon imports. Three firms (1 in Guayaquil, 2 in Quito) produce plastics toilet articles, combs, purses, billfolds, and kitchen utensils, according to the Office of the Ecuadoran Industrial Census. One large firm, Dalmau, makes about 70 percent of the plastics items manufactured in Ecuador. Consumption of plastics materials included 136,396 pounds of urea, phenolic, polystyrene, polyethylene, and unknown quantities of other items in 1955. No estimates on potential consumption of plastics materials are available. The Dalmau factory plans to increase its line of products, which will up demand for plastics materials. All factories now in the planning stage expect to use imported materials. Fabricators are concerned about increased importation of finished items from Japan and Europe and fear they will be unable to expand their range of products unless prices of materials and molding machinery are reduced. Ecuador imports both plastics materials and products, the largest share from the United States. In 1956, imports of United States materials accounted for about 96.4 percent of total imports. However, because of increased competition from Japan and Europe, the United States share of the market for finished articles decreased from 95.9 percent by value in 1952 to 75.4 percent in 1956. Imports of plastics materials were valued at $360,713 in the first quarter of 1957, compared to $380,546 in the first quarter of 1956. Importers attribute the decrease to larger taxes on imports since December 1956. The value of imported plastics articles rose from $43,533 in the first quarter of 1956 to $51,268 in the same period of 1957. Ecuador does not export plastics materials or products. Most finished products made in Ecuador are sold in the provinces by commissioned agents. In Quito, the largest factory acts as its own dis- tributor and sells directly to wholesale and retail trades. The other two firms in Quito and one in Guayaquil are small shops with a very limited market. Purchases of plastics materials by the several manufacturers are made through agents in Ecuador. The trade is more satisfactorily managed in this manner, since importers are better equipped to handle the difficulties involved in exchange and import regulations. Consumers of plastics items produced in Ecuador are primarily the middle- and lower- income groups. Production of combs fulfills about 90 percent of demand. Competition from Japan and Europe has limited the market for other articles. There is no foreign investment in the plastics industry, nor are there any marketing agreements or arrangements for exchange of technical infor- mation. The United States supplies about 96 percent of the plastics materials consumed in Ecuador. Variations in this market depend upon prices and credit terms offered by foreign firms. Purchases from the United States of finished plastics items are declining because of a preference for low- priced rather than quality goods. Some users of natural products may be con- sidered as potential consumers of plastics. Among them are buttonmakers who use tagua nuts, manufacturers of paper for packaging industrial and agricultural products, and producers of piping. These possibilities have been taken into consider- ation by the industry, which has plans for making such products from plastics materials. Although United States products are preferred, European firms offer lower prices and better credit and payment terms. One of the smaller factories has placed orders for urea resins in the United Kingdom because of lower prices. The plastics industry is subject to the same laws and regulations as other industries. The Law of Industrial Development applies in the industrial field. The Labor Code governs labor conditions; imports enter under the Custom's Law and the regulations of the Monetary Board. Table 40.— Ecuadoran Imports of Plastics Mater and Products, 1952-56 ^Quantity in kilograms; value in dollarsj Materials Year Imports f rom U. S. Total Quantity Value Quantity Value 1 952 56,135 38,523 56,135 38,523 1953 153,4-25 133,805 156,629 135,917 1 95i+ 235,761 243,362 272,930 279,510 1955 727,382 804,016 760,408 844,024 1956 988,185 1,016,273 1,025,488 1,077,350 Finished articles 1952 57,808 94,525 59,816 98,588 1 953 127,250 175,840 157,552 225,1 S3 1954 536,555 729,571 558,468 775,990 1955 210,150 318,080 260,164 361,206 1956 170,012 217,136 222,694 287,804 Central Bank. Lack of machinery hampers both the industry's expansion and greater use of plastics materials. High prices of machines and credit and payment difficulties are deterring factors in obtaining equipment from United States manufacturers. Plastics companies have purchased European machines at lower prices and on more favorable terms. (Reprinted from CHEMICAL AND RUBBER INDUSTRY REPORT, January 1957) The plastics molding industry in Peru is small and firms operate with low -capacity injection and compression molding machines. Only a few small continuous extrusion machines have been installed in recent years by one of the leading molders and by two wire and cable manufacturers. Total capi- tal investment (largely of domestic origin) in the molding industry is estimated at about $500,000. Domestic production of plastics products includes tableware and kitchen items, knobs and handles, bottle caps, buttons, bags, combs, toys and display articles, electrical sockets, switches, plugs, etc. All plastics goods are manufactured from imported materials as there are no plastics materials pro- duced in the country. There are 10 molders in Peru but only 5 are of importance. The 5 firms are said to account for around 90 percent of the consumption of polysty- rene, urea -formaldehyde, phenol -formaldehyde, and polyethylene, and small quantities of polyvinyl chloride molding materials. The largest use of polyvinyl chloride is for the manufacture of coated wire and cable. In 1955, about 95,000 pounds were used for this purpose with estimates of nearly 190,000 pounds during 1956. Polyethylene is also used for coating wire. During 1955 some 15,000 pounds were used by one firm, with consumption estimated at 25,000 pounds for 1956 and about 50,000 pounds for 1957. Another wire manufac- turer began the use of plastic coating materials in 1956 and estimates consumption of about 20,000 pounds of polyvinyl chloride and 10,000 pounds of polyethylene during the year, with expectations of doubling these quantities in 1957. Paint manufacturers, in an effort to improve the quality of their products, are making greater use of synthetic resins in coating formulations. Alkyd resins used in paints during 1955 amounted to 220,000 pounds and were expected to reach 270,000 pounds in 1956. Consumption of phenolics in the same years is estimated at 180,000 and 215,000 pounds, respectively. Maleic resin consumption was estimated at 90,000 pounds in 1955 and 115,000 pounds for 1956. Leading paint manufacturers anticipate greater consumption of resins in the next 2 years. Acrylics in the form of sheets and plates are used in Peru chiefly by furniture and advertising material manufacturers. Combined consumption of sheets and plates by these manufacturers was estimated at 250,000 pounds in 1955 and 350,000 pounds for 1956. Relatively new users of acrylic emulsions are a few leading tanneries and shoe- makers for treating leather. Although consumption was reported as low as 20,000 pounds for 1955, it is said to have increased to 50,000 pounds in 1956, with indications of an increase to about 100,000 annually in the next few years. Phonograph record manufacturers reportedly used about 55,000 pounds of ethyl cellulose in 1955 for making compounds for 75 r.p.m. records, with estimates of 100,000 to 120,000 pounds annually in the next several years. Consumption of polyvinyl chloride by these manufacturers for manufacturing 45 r.p.m. records amounted to only 10,000 pounds in 1955, but reports indicate slight increases to Table 41 .—Estimated Peruvian Consumption of Plastics Materials by Type, 1955-58 Lin thousands of poundsj Commod i ty 1955 1956 1957-58 480 370 110 40 120 55 40 250 20 220 180 90 425 660 460 245 145 145 100 55 350 50 270 215 115 520 1,100 550 500 220 160 Urea-formaldehyde, molding granules.... Phenol-formaldehyde, molding granules.. 60 450 100 Acrylic emulsions (40$) Phen 1 ic resins Maleic resins Miscellaneous plastics materials in sheets, plates, etc 600 2,400 3,330 15,000 pounds in 1956 and 20,000 pounds in 1957. There is only one record producer preparing his own compounds, while the requirements of all others are made by a small chemical concern. The consumption of miscellaneous plastics ma- terials in sheets and plates by automobile uphol- sterers, small trades, households, and other users is roughly estimated at 425,000 pounds in 1955 and 520,000 pounds in 1956, a consumption which is expected to advance by 15 to 20 percent annually in the next few years. The United States is the primary supplier of plastics materials to Peru, having accounted for 52 percent of total imports in 1955 compared with 46 percent in 1954. Imports of cellulose acetate flakes for rayon production came entirely from Germany in 1954; however, the United States in 1955 furnished 52 percent of this material. During 1955, the United States maintained or improved its 56 position as the principal source for polystyrene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylics, phenol - formaldehyde, and ethyl cellulose. There is no unfavorable legislation in Peru on production, consumption, labor conditions, or do- mestic or foreign trade in plastics. High tariff protection has been granted to new producers of end products. There is a need in Peru for technical informa- tion relating to new types and applications of plastics materials as well as newly developed techniques in plastics molding. Reportedly, there exists a promising field for expansion and im- provement in production of plastics molded arti- cles and for the manufacture of plates, sheets, and fabrics which are being imported in larger quan- tities every year. Table 12.— Peru: Imports of Plastics Materials, 1951-55 [ In I ,000 pounds] Country 1954 1955 1,313 606 489 443 893 893 45 9 373 United Kingdom 2,851 3 Source: Estadistica del Comercio Exterioi With one or two exceptions, plastics materials are not produced in Uruguay. Galalith, made from casein, was manufactured by two firms until sev- eral years ago, but operations were suspended be- cause of technical difficulties. Phenolic molding powder is produced on an experimental scale by one company, but has not been marketed commer- cially. Alkyd resins are used in the manufacture of paint and some resins are produced for that purpose. Consumption of plastics materials is dependent upon imports. Imports of cast-phenolic resins, sheets, bars, etc., have been replaced by poly- styrene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and other thermoplastic materials. The United States supplied 23 percent by weight of total imports of plastics and resin materials in 1953, 8 percent in 1954, and 34 percent during 1955. These data do not necessarily reflect a preference for United States or other foreign plastics materials, as im- ports depend upon the amounts of foreign exchange available from potential suppliers. There are about 10 well- organized factories and some 120 smaller establishments producing plas- tics products. Consumption of phenol -formalde- hyde molding material is estimated at from 180 to 200 metric tons annually for the manufacture of bottle caps, electrical accessories, mechanical parts, buttons, and radio cabinets. From 50 to 70 tons of urea -formaldehyde are consumed annually, primarily in making buttons and electrical parts; from 2 to 3 tons a year of melamine- formaldehyde are used almostexclusively for manufacturing dish- ware. Consumption of polystyrene, the most widely used thermoplastic, amounts to 300-500 tons an- nually. Polyethylene consumption is estimated at 200-300 tons a year and this material is used principally for making infants' feeding bottles, textiles, and refrigerator containers. Between 400 and 500 tons of polyvinyl -chloride are used annually for covering electric wire and cable. Plastisols of polyvinyl chloride are consumed to the extent of 20 to 30 tons a year for the manu- facture of floor tiles. From 15 to 20 tons a year of rigid sheets of polyvinyl chloride are used for refrigerator inner doors. Producers of plastics products sell approxi- mately 80 percent of their finished articles to the retail trade. The remaining 20 percent is sold to retailers outside of the Montevideo district. Cer- tain non-Uruguayan manufacturers of plastics products under foreign trademarks have author- ized domestic firms to produce and market novel- ties under contract; the Uruguayan firms are fre- quently responsible for their own financing ar- rangements. Most manufacturers of plastics articles have ar- rangements with foreign firms for the use or rental of molds, owing to the high cost of such equipment and the small size of the domestic mar- ket. There is some preference for United States plastics materials, but the determining factor is the availability of foreign exchange, which is chronically short. Prices of other foreign phenol- ic, urea, and polystyrene materials are slightly lower than those of the United States. American prices of polyethylene are generally the same as those of other foreign producers; American -manu- factured melamine and polyvinyl chloride ma- terials are lower in price. Machinery for the manufacture of plastics prod- ucts is reportedly adequate and currently there is no market for new equipment. European machinery similar in quality to the American is being offered to the trade at lower prices. Table 43.— Uruguayan Imports of Plastics Materials, 1953-55 [Quantity in i lograms; va lii e in dollars] Commodity and 1953 1954 1955 country Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Gallalith: Germany 5,365 576 5,490 576 3,036 900 1,221 1,458 3,772 13,700 14,065 6,707 64 3,386 16,670 15,892 2,635 190 14,324 2,377 17,206 3,182 252,000 2,571 1,649 719 1,022 Switzerland 1,691 1 ,474 1 021 16,701 54,483 20,388 34,077 45,940 53,074 3,788 5,003 2,934 1,433 2,244 46,610 28,772 6,775 59,096 2,102 46,313 31,894 2,065 3,637 1,614 885 1,514 25,725 22,219 5,547 40,269 2,1 12 263,118 33,165 11,000 1 ,310 6,886 29,097 32,175 17,485 A stria United States 15,895 4,184 31 ,154 9,238 3,252 16,730 France 40,859 20,860 5,396 3,650 30,993 16,954 111,112 5,612 66,947 3,421 211 ,831 3,720 300 7,164 30,642 7,291 1 ,750 9,901 803 137,481 3,426 233 6,428 21,626 5,799 1,097 5,327 807 174,170 2,200 Germany 1,710 2,177 25,116 1,190 1 ,376 16,749 753 3,718 24,077 3,597 1,050 8,403 3 510 15224 588 10,035 7,138 Switzerland 44,130 56,817 29,437 54,940 61 ,571 44,955 6,468 44,743 43,619 7,426 43,045 49,761 10,824 7 257,910 Non-specified synthetic resins: Brazi 1 111,440 89,544 45,031 39,758 110,463 755,902 54,294 10,234 51,989 41 ,571 42,560 359,345 41,515 10,558 239,396 55,006 278,601 23,143 7,000 21,965 213,191 18,463 6,000 29,704 303,107 33,739 23 , 1 02 19,029 7,952 Netherlands 20,039 19,871 Norway 1,610 118,618 6 1,614 105,248 Sweden 37,141 34,647 33,015 25 194 6,016 5,378 4,105 3 393 575,164 16,145 444,128 19,078 1,187,339 17,424 14,195 5,750 3,609 95,386 4,140 115,208 43,720 323 29,688 2,627 705,449 28,716 12,437 3,162 6,477 1 15,847 3,726 74,788 31,624 1,020 6,129 3,599 764,303 15,048 1,829 1,000 650,457 30,635 Ge rmany 82,516 720 44,541 17,342 83,267 688 80,749 5,587 239,937 358 51,415 1,756 1 ,076 1 99 583 72,121 5,360 Netherlands Sweden 2,000 1 ,910 163,264 191,279 332,070 287,525 312,419 313,982 Uruguayan Office of Export and Import Control. VENEZUELA (Reprinted from CHEMICAL AND RUBBER INDUSTRY REPORT, January 1957) Plastics materials are not produced in Vene- zuela. The molding, extrusion, and film pro- cessing sectors of the plastics industry have increased rapidly during the past 5 years as the result of public acceptance of most plastics prod- ucts, which are manufactured from imported materials. Twenty-three firms process plastics in various parts of the country, mostly operating on a small scale. Fifteen companies are injection molders, producing tableware, combs, coathangers, soap dishes, jewelry boxes, toys, wall tile, etc. Six firms are extruders of tubing, pipe and connec- tions, and electrical conduit material. One firm is engaged exclusively in the manufacture of polyethylene film from which it makes food and garment bags and another firm produces parti- tion and ceiling panels from polyester -fiberglas. Several of the firms also manufacture decorative articles from imported plastic rods and sheets. No statistics are available on production of plas- tics products. The plastics industry employs an estimated 250 people in Venezuela, which has a population of nearly 6 million. The economy of tne country re- portedly has risen steadily to the highest level in its history. As a result of a continued increase in petroleum production with a high level of pros- perity, the consuming public is financially able to increase its consumption of plastics products. There are no foreign exchange control problems in the country. The molding and extrusion of plastics products has attained a high level, but the paint industry re- mains the largest consumer of plastics materials with the plywood and textile industries consuming plastics in lesser volume. The manufacture of paper is limited to the production of light wrap- ping paper and carton paperboard from imported wood pulp and no resins are used at present. Although no statistics are available on consump- tion of plastics materials, table 45 has been pre- pared from information obtained from end users, foreign sales representatives, official Venezuelan Government import statistics, and United States exports. It is believed to be a good indication of materials consumption. A projection of consump- tion for 1957 is also shown, since the largest plastics products factory now under construction at Valencia was expected to commence production of asbestos -polyvinyl chloride floor tile by calen- dering in September 1956, and expansion of poly- ethylene film output is also forecast for the future. Competition is keen within the processing indus- try and management is aware of the need for low raw-material costs and favorable credit terms, as well as of the necessity of keeping abreast of advancing techniques. Most firms are granted terms of 60 to 90 days by American suppliers but granting of terms up to 180 days by European ex- porters is said to have diverted a large amount of business to foreign sources. There are no United States branch factories in Venezuela and no data available on the amount of foreign investment in the plastics products in- dustry. However, it is estimated that total foreign investment, including that in the new plant at Valencia, approximates $2 million, of which $1.5 million represents United States investment and the remaining $500,000 the holdings of investors in Italy, Uruguay, Switzerland, France, Germany, Ecuador, Mexico, and The Netherlands. The manufacture of polyester -fiberglas roofing sheets is a small operation of a local subsidiary of an American concern. The subsidiary is said to be the largest rayon yarn manufacturer in Venezuela. American interests own one -half the capital stock of an injection molding firm and one- half interest in the capital stock of a company which produces polyethlene film. The United States is the largest supplier of plas- tics materials to Venezuela, although participation in this market has declined percentagewise in re- cent years. Imports from the United States in 1952 represented 90 percent of the Venezuelan market. They declined to 74 percent in 1953 and to 63 percent in 1954 (see table 44). This decline reflects the continued increase in European com- petition with the United States suppliers. European firms sell polystyrene c.i.f. La Guaira at from 1 to 2 cents per pound less than United States suppliers and other plastics mate- rials at prices below those offered by American firms. Despite the price differential and the fact that many European firms are offering credit terms of up to 180 days, many important end users of materials prefer United States products because of uniformity of quality and prompt delivery, as compared with the usual 2 months' waiting time from most European sources. The same holds true of machinery and molds. Prices of German machinery, and German and Italian molds are about one-half those of American suppliers, but some firms prefer American machinery because of greater availability of replacement parts and bet- ter operation. There are no Government decrees or regulations specifically affecting production, labor conditions, consumption, or domestic and foreign trade in plastics, except that the export and re-export of plastics materials and manufactures are subject to prior license by the Ministry of Development. In accordance with provisions of the Labor Law, Venezuelan personnel in any enterprise must rep- resent not less than 75 percent of total personnel. With the objective of further development of the national industry to reduce the nation's economic dependence on petroleum, the Venezuelan Govern- ment over the past years has maintained a protec- tive policy toward all local manufacturers by im- posing high tariffs on competitive importations. In addition, it has lifted part of the import duties on plastics materials processed within the country, or utilized in the manufacture of other products. These measures have been evident in the develop- ment of the plastics products industry and there is every indication that this policy of assistance and protection to domestic manufacturers will continue in the future. A continued rise in the production of plastics products is anticipated, but at a slower rate than has been experienced over the past 5 years. Currently, the productive capacity of the industry is greater than consumption. The Government petrochemicals industry project is now under construction at Moran and the fertili- zer unit is expected to be in operation by early 1957. Further stages of development envisage the output of chlorine, caustic soda, dynamite, insecti- cides, herbicides, fungicides, synthetic rubber, plastics materials, and lacquers. Should the Gov- ernment engage in the production of plastics mate- rials, such items will go almost entirely into the local market, reducing requirements from abroad. At the same time, any surplus of Government pro- duction over local consumption would be available to the world market, provided prices are competi- tive with those of other exporting countries, Table 44. — Venezuelan Imports of Unmanufactured Ar- tificial Plastic Materials, Coumarone and Ar- tificial Resins, and Unmanufactured Celluloid 1 [in pounds, gross weight] Origin 1952 1953 1954 United States 1,558,000 91,243 53,251 320 326 209 1,708,906 218,595 245,711 10,339 1,953 196 2,665,030 Ger B 1 ' F 15,537 1,434 11,190 935 81 6,180 130,846 „ o om i a P . g ' 837 Total 1,732,526 2,322,726 2 4,209,234 2 Total for the year 1954 < oid for which no breakdown b) Table 45.— Estimated Venezuelan Consumption of Plastics Materials by Type, 1956-57 [in pounds; dry basis unless otherwise specified] 1956 1957 1956 1957 Cellulose plastics, total 30,000 30, 000 Alkyd resins, total For protective coatings: Phthalic anhydride types: 2,000,000 2,195,000 Cellulose acetate and mixed esters: Sheets, under 0.003 gage and over.... Molding and extrusion materials Nitrocellulose sheets, rods, and tubes.. Other cellulose plastics (protective 5,000 10,000 5,000 10,000 300,000 5,000 10,000 5,000 10,000 320,000 400,000 1,100,000 200,000 300,000 450, 000 Modified with tar acids, rosin, and for other materials, except styrene Polybasic acid types (except phthalic): 1,200,000 220, 000 Phenolic and other tar-acid resins, total.. Modified with tar acids, rosin and/or other materials, except styrene Protective-coating resins, unmodified 300,000 2,100,000 320,000 2,110,000 325,000 300,000 25,000 75, 000 50,000 30,000 1 20, 000 100,000 25,000 75,000 50,000 Urea and melamine resins, total Rosin and rosin esters, unmodified (ester gums), for protective coatings: Textile-treating and textile-coating 1,500,000 200,000 350,000 50,000 2,800,000 1 , 500, 000 210,000 350,000 50,000 2,950,000 30,000 Protective coating resins, straight and Esterified with other alcohols— (penta- 80,000 Bonding and adhesive resins for— Rosin and rosin esters, modified (hard res- ins) for protective coatings: Modifications with phenolic and other All other bonding and adhesive uses, 55, 000 Styrene resins, total Modifications with maleic and fumaric 30,000 Molding materials 800,000 2,000,000 160,000 850,000 2,100,000 310,000 All other rosin modifications for protec- Protective coating resins, straight and Coumarone-indene and petroleum polymer resins, total Vinyl and vinyl copolymer resins, total.... 100,000 Polyvinyl chloride and copolymer resins 100,000 10,000 50,000 200,000 50,000 60, 000 Polyestf - • total 35,000 (50 percent or more polyvinyl chloride) for— Molding and extrusion (resin content) Miscellaneous synthetic plastics and resin ma- Protective coatings (resin content).. 50, 000 TTTT . WORLD SURVEY OF PLASTICS Chapter V Europe Europe is the world's largest importing and exporting area of plastics and resin materials, accounting for approximately 53 percent of world imports and 56 percent of world exports. It is the second largest producing and consuming area, accounting for 35 percent of world production and 34 percent of apparent consumption. West Germany is the largest producer, import- er, exporter, and consumer of plastics materials in Europe and, owing to the recovery and expan- sion of her plastics industry since World War II, she has displaced the United Kingdom as second largest plastics producing country in the world. Italy outranks France as a producer and exporter, but France consumes more and imports twice the quantity of these materials as Italy. Both of these countries have made rapid strides in recent years. Other important countries are Sweden, the Nether- lands, Belgium, and Switzerland. Though the United Kingdom has always been a leading competitor of the United States in the world plastics market, in recent years competi- tion has arisen from West Germany and Italy and to a lesser extent from France. European firms, usually quoting lower prices and better credit terms than U. S. companies, are expected to offer increasing competition. Despite her increased production of plastics and resin materials, Europe remains the largest mar- ket for U. S. exports and is growing in relative importance. Exports from the United States to Europe increased from 43.7 million pounds (23.8 percent of total U. S. exports of plastics and resin materials) in 1953 to 146.7 million pounds (34.7 percent) in 1956. In 1956, 32.8 million pounds were exported to France, 24.5 million pounds to United Kingdom, 13.8 million pounds to West Ger- many, and 13.2 million pounds to The Netherlands. Europe is the chief source of United States im- ports of plastics and resin materials, supplying approximately 5 million pounds or 82.0 percent of U. S. total imports of these commodities in 1953 and 30 million pounds or 85.7 percent in 1956. Italy has been the chief supplier in recent years, furnishing only about 18,000 pounds in 1953, but 7.6 million in 1954, 26.6 million in 1955, and 24.4 million in 1956— or 0.3 percent of United States imports of plastics and resin materials in 1953, 51.5 percent in 1954, 77.1 percent in 1955, and 68.8 percent in 1956. Actually this large tonnage from Italy, almost all vinyls, had a disquieting ef- fect upon U. S. production and price structure of vinyl resins. The United Kingdom was a principal supplier of United States imports of plastics and resin mate- rials during 1953-56. However, such imports de- creased from about 4 million pounds, or 67.1 per- cent of U. S. imports in 1953, to 1.6 million pounds, or 4.5 percent in 1956. West Germany's position advanced from about 0.3 million pounds, or 4.4 percent, in 1953 to 2.0 million pounds, or 5.6 percent, in 1956, surpassing the United King- dom. France and Belgium supplied about 1 million pounds of plastics imports in 1956. In addition to imports and exports of plastics materials from and to the United States, the Euro- pean countries carry on considerable foreign trade in these commodities with each other and with their member nations and overseas terri- tories. Besides the United Kingdom, which was a always a strong competitor in foreign trade, re- cently West Germany, Italy, and France have en- tered competition for world plastics markets. AUSTRIA i CHEMICAL AND RUBBER INDUSTRY REPORT, In 1955, Austria produced an estimated 9,900 tons of plastics materials valued at approximately $6.5 million, or less than 1 percent of the gross value of its industrial production. Seventeen firms employing some 800 people are engaged in the manufacture of plastics materials. Production of casein -formaldehyde, phenol -formal- dehyde (including liquid phenolic resins), cello- phane, plastic cement, and glues substantially meets domestic needs of the industry. Require- ments for polyethylene, polystyrene, and some polyvinyl chloride and other plastics materials are met by imports. In 1955 Austria consumed an estimated 13,900 tons of plastics materials, about 30 percent more than in 1954, and consumer stocks amounted to an additional 2,300 tons. For 1957 a 20- to 25-per- cent increase in consumption over 1955 is esti- mated, while a further annual expansion of about 10 percent is anticipated for the next 2 years. All Austrian imports of plastics materials from Organization of European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) countries are liberalized, except slabs of hard polyvinyl chloride. Liberalization was grant- ed as of October 15, 1956, to imports from dollar - area countries for the following: Cellulose ace- tate, polyisobutylene, polystyrene, polyamides, polyethylene, acrylic and methacrylic acid esters, acetophenone resins, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, epoxy resins, alkyd resins, polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl carbozole, and thermoplastic mixed polymerizates. In 1955 Austria imported 3,000 tons of polyvinyl chloride, 1,800 tons of polyethylene, 1,100 tons of polystyrene, and some 1,105 tons of other plastics materials. The plastics products industry comprises about 75 firms and an additional 165 handicraft shops. It is relatively young, with many of the firms hav- ing been founded during the past 10 years and still in the process of expansion. About 50 percent of available plastics materials in Austria are distrib- uted to the plastics products industry; 30 percent to the paint and lacquer manufacturers; 10 percent to manufacturers of wire and cables: 4 percent to woodworking, and the remainder to the paper -proc- essing industry. With the exception of a few small firms, domes- tic manufacturers of plastics products obtain ma- terials made in Austria direct from the producers. In general, foreign plastics materials are obtained from Austrian representatives of the large foreign manufacturers. American producers are well rep- resented in the country. Plastics products manu- facturers export directly and the retail trade busi- ness is restricted to the supply of plastics prod- ucts for the domestic market. A number of large manufacturers have their own or affiliated sales outlets. In addition to the domestic output of plastics products, Austria imported in 1955 plastics items worth $1.3 million, mainly from West Germany. Exports of all kinds of plastics products amounted to about $1.1 million and went primarily to Great Britain, West Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States. About 60 percent of all plastics product exports were supplied by 1 large firm which operates 4 plants, manufactures a wide range of products, and employs 900 work- ers. The extent of foreign investment in the Austrian plastics -materials industry is small. One large company is reported as partly owned by an Ameri- can citizen. No general agreement exists for ex- change of technical information; however, there is exchange of information between individual suppli- ers and customers. The Austrian Plastics Institute collects information on production and processing techniques and applications of plastics materials, and also makes tests and determines quality con- trols of plastics materials and products for the in- dustry and handicraft firms. Because of the regu- lar exchange and collection of technical informa- tion by individual manufacturers and the Austrian Plastics Institute, Austrian manufacturers are be- lieved to follow the same manufacturing techniques as other West European countries and the United States. No official statistics are available on types and quantity of plastics molding machinery in Austria. Leading members of the Austrian plastics industry estimate there are in usage about 104 compression molding machines, 87 injection molding machines, Table 46.— Austrian Production of Plastics Materials, -I955 1 Item Metric tons . . melaminel 1,600 " IM V s irf h d ' 3,600 eno orma eye 2,100 o yviny c 800 . .. . . . . , 250 Casein p as ic (ar 250 asein g ue. 850 Foamed and' other plastics 450 9,900 o a ... al Chamber of Con Table 47.— Austrian Consumpt iom of Plastics Materials, 1955 Poly -ide.. Phenol-formaldehyds Polyethylene Amino plastics (ur< Polystyrene Cel lophane Plastic cement Other Total , Sol Trade stimate: 20 extruders, and 6 calenders. The majority of the equipment is of West German, British, and United States origin. Other machinery suppliers are Italy and Switzerland. Some machines are made by Austrian plastics manufacturers in their own shops. There is no indication that difficulties in obtaining machinery are impeding expansion of production. Table 48. — Austria: Imports of Plastics and Resin Materials, 1951-56 [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 schillings 1 ] 1954 1955 1956 Commodity and country of origin Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Celluloid crude in blocks, sheets, rods, tubes, also polished, opaqued: 89 55 33 4,959 3,119 1,992 104 81 48 5,912 4,476 2,529 138 85 45 S it erl nd Y 4,565 Other countries 2,378 Total 177 10,070 233 12,917 268 14,896 Synthetic horn (casein plastics): Total 2 9 292 18 514 12 359 Synthetic resins: West Germany Italy 2,342 55 631 557 513 48,324 1,016 11,775 II ,714 10,628 4,090 301 750 1,030 446 90 175 133 84,567 4,082 15,414 19,813 10,231 2,508 2,812 3,138 5,046 373 1,224 1,063 1,332 139 391 82 131 72 26 99,120 7,849 Un i ted States 28,017 4,365 Canada Belgium- Luxemburg Denmark 108 2,845 1,981 2,069 1,291 Total 4,206 86,302 7,015 142,565 9,879 195,429 Grand tota 1 4,392 96,664 7,266 155,996 10,159 210,684 Note: Under the European Recovery Plan, 451 tons valued at 9,977,000 schillings fron States. J l schilling equals US $0.03846. 2 A number of countries, none of which ace Source: Austrian foreign trade statistic Table 49.— Austria: Exports of Plastics and Resin Materials, 1954-56 [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 schillings 1 ] ountry of destination 1954 1955 1956 Commod i ty and Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Synthetic horn (casein plastics): 9 370 17 621 41 Synthetic resins: 192 297 176 2,816 5,754 2,852 107 401 213 59 249 1,599 7,029 3,312 1,081 5,400 85 117 401 2 5 Switzerland Denmark Portugal Union of South Afric i and British South Africa 261 5,263 84 133 74 57 330 2 6 804 875 015 453 Total 926 16,685 1,029 18,421 1,281 22 469 Grand total 935 17,055 1,046 19,042 1,322 23 1 \ schilling equals US $0.03846. 2 A number of countries, none of which ace Source: Austrian foreign trade statistic Austria: Plastics Materials Manufacturers Firm Main products Vereinigte Chemische Fabriken Kreidl, Rutter and Urea and melamine plastics, phenol-formaldehyde Cie, Vienna XXI. plastics, polyvinylacetate, foamed plastics, plas- tic cement. Halvic Ges.m.b.H., Hallein* Polyvinylchloride. Vianova Kunstharz AG, Werndorf* Phthalic alkyd, maleic and phenol modified plastics, liquid resins. Zellwolle Lenzing A.G., Lenzing..... Cellophane (glassine paper). Semperit, Oesterreichisch-Amerikanische Gummi- Foamed plastics, werke A.G., Vienna, TraiskirchenandWimpassing. Kremschemie Ges.m.b.H., Krems Phenol -formaldehyde plastics, plastic cement. Cisar & Mayr, Vienna...... Phenol -formaldehyde plastics. Akalit Kunsthornwerke AG,* Brunn a.G Casein formaldehyde (artificial horn). Wiener Schuh-Chemikalien Ges.m.b.H., Vienna....... Plastic cement. Beckacite Kunstharzfabrik* Ges.m.b.H Phenol -formaldehyde plastics. Josef Windisch, Leoben Not known. Synthesa K.G., Linz Casein glue. Poroplast Ges.m.b.H., Seebach* Foamed plastics. Teerag A.G., Vienna Plastic cement. Landwirtschaftliche Kartoffelverwertungs A.G., Casein glue. Gmuend. Theo Guebitz, Vienna* Casein formaldehyde (artificial horn). Josef Zezi, Salzburg Casein glue. ♦Exclusively or predominantly manufacturers of plastics. BELGIUM The Belgian plastics industry is engaged in both the production of plastics materials and the mold- ing and fabricating of plastics products. Although the industry makes a variety of plastic consumer goods and industrial products, Belgium imports primary synthetic resins and semifabricated ma- terials. Some 16 firms manufacture plastics materials. No production statistics are available, but esti- mated 1955 output of amino plastics (urea and melamine), phenoplastics (phenolics), and vinyl and alkyd resins amounted to 17,000 metric tons. The processing branch of the industry (molders, extruders, calenders, etc.) is well established, but no consumption statistics on plastics materi- als are available. Consumers of plastics resins and materials of all types in Belgium total about 200. Among the 37 firms processing polyvinyl chloride, 4 do cal- endering, 3 manufacture artificial leather, 5 man- ufacture floor coverings and tiles, 6 make insu- lated wire, 15 produce extruded products, 2 man- ufacture injection items, and 2 make conveyor belts. Typical terms of sale call for payment from 30 to 60 days after the end of the month in which delivery is made. U. S. exporters should deal through an agent rather than attempt to make di - rect sales, inasmuch as most Belgian consuming companies are small or medium size. Most plas- tics molders and fabricators work under contracts with end users of plastics rather than sell on their own account. The Belgian industry is basically domestically owned; no foreign branch factories have been es- tablished. Solvic, S.A., has obtained vinyl chlo- ride production patents from Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd., United Kingdom. The United States is considered an important source of plastics materials, although imports show a slight downtrend, according to the trade. U. S. products are higher priced than those im- ported from Canada, France, Germany, and Italy, but they are considered of better quality. The principal suppliers on a quantity basis in 1955 were West Germany about 28 percent, United States 18 percent, United Kingdom 15 percent, and Italy 3 percent; the principal markets were the Netherlands 30 percent, France 13 percent, Swit- zerland nearly 7 percent, and the United Kingdom 4 percent. Plastics materials under item No. 279 of the custom tariff require import licenses. Molding powders with a plastic base, item No. 280, do not require an import license. The duty on plastic raw materials is 3 percent ad valorem plus a 5 -percent sales tax. The tariff increases to 8 percent plus 7 -percent sales tax if the plastic material is impregnated into paper or cloth, and to 12 percent plus 7 -percent sales tax for certain types of tubular sheets. If the materi- als are semifabricated plastics, sheets, tubes, or blocks, the duty increases to 20 percent plus a 7- percent sales tax. The tariff on molding powders amounts to 5 percent plus an 8 -percent sales tax. Plastics are replacing other materials in Bel- gium, but to a lesser extent than in the United States, and the growth potential is considerable. Lack of machinery does not hamper the industry. Table 50. — Belgium: Imports and Exports of Plastics and Resin Materials [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 Belgian francs] 1 Deri nth b 5 of cellulo; je of cellule ; and art i fie i.e.s. (cellule cellulose acetate, viscose, etc.): In powder, clots, flakes, lamels, or small irregulai plates, in noncoherent masses: Insoluble in water: Celluloid Cel 1 ulose acetate V i scose and others Soluble in water In blocks, slabs, tubes, rods, unworked; in rolls oi sheets, whether or not smooth or dulled, but not pol ished: Celluloid Cel lulose acetate: tess than 0.75 millimeters in thickness, in r< Other Viscose and others: tess than 0.75 millimeters in thickness, in re Other Sponge rubber Other: Viscose Other Waste Artificial plastic materials with a basis of casein, gelatine or starch: In blocks, slabs, sheets, tubes or rods, simply groi or not, unworked Artificial plastic materials with a base of phenols, ui phthalic acid, etc. (artificial resins), whether or n< with incorporated paper or fabric and others n.e.s.: In the mass (liquid, in lumps, or in powder): Phenol formaldehyde and cresol formaldehyde Urea formaldehyde and melamine formaldehyde Alkyds Pol y v i ny 1 Polyvinyl i dene Polyacrylics Polystyrene Polyamides Chemically changed rubber Other See footnotes at end of table. 171.9 36.8 148.2 ( 2 ) ( Z ) Table 50. — Belgium: Imports and Exports of Plastics and Resin Materials, 1955— Con. [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 Belgian francsl 1 Artificial plastic materials with a base of phenols, phthalic acid, etc. (artifical resins), whether or r with incorporated paper or fabric and others n.e.s.- In blocks, slabs, tubes, sticks, rolls or sheets, i ground or not unworked: Artificial thermoplastic materials, including ct cally modified rubber, less than 0.75 mill imete in thickness, in rolls or in sheets: Polyvinyl Polyv i ny 1 idene Pol yacry 1 i cs Pol ysty rene Polyamides Polyethylene Other Stratified plastic materials containing paper oi fabric Other: Phenol formaldehyde and cresol formaldehyde. Urea formaldehyde, melamine formaldehyde Polyvinyls: Other Polyvinylidenes Polyacrylics Pol ysty rene Polyamides: Cellular Other Chemically changed rubber Polyethy lene Polyhalogenatedethylenes Other Waste Molding powder with a base of plastic materials: Phenol formaldehyde and cresol formaldehyde Urea formaldehyde and melamine formaldehyde Pol y aery 1 ics Pol ysty rene Polyethylene Other Coumarone resins Total n.e.s.— Not elsewhere specified. l l Belgian franc equals US $0.02. 2 Less than I metric ton. 3 Not revealed to avoid disclosing operations of in Source: Bulletin Mensuel Du Commerce Exterieur De Foreign Commerce). 15,537 113 7,966 3 Luxembourgeoise (Monthly Bulletir rium: Plastics Manufacturers Company and address Commodity Astral-Celluco Glycerol -phthalic resins, all used by the firm's paint (Societe Beige des Peintures Astral) and varnish division; phenolic resins and urea (Celluco-Anct. Les Fils Levy -Finger S. A.) resins. 32-34, rue Edmond Tollensere, Bruxelles 66 Belgium: Plastics Manufacturers — Con. Company and address Commodity Azote Phenol, cresol, urea, and melamine formaldehyde (Societe Beige de l'Azote et des Produits resins; molding powders and synthetic varnish and Chimiques du Marly) glue. 16, Quai Churchill a Liege Carbonisation Centrale S. A Coumarone-indene resins. 29 Rue de Naples, Bruxelles Carburants and Gondrons de Forest S. A Coumarone-indene resins. Rue des Carburants, Forest -Bruxelles Caselith National S. A Synthetic horn, noninflammable celluloid, and thermo- 9-15, rue du Berceau, Peruwelz plastic powders for injections. Claessens (Vernis, S. A.) Glycerol-phthalic resins; also in a position to manu- 104, rue Tweemont, Deurne-Anvers facture urea plastics materials and phenolic resin molding powders. Cooppal Modified natural resins such as copal ester and-ester (Poudrerie Royale de Wetteren Cooppal and gum; also phenolic, urea, and glycerol phthalic Cie S. A.) resins; ethyl cellulose; nitro-cellulose; molding powders; synthetic varnish; cellulose glue; and artificial leather. Fabelta Cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, poly- (Union des Fabriques Beiges de Textiles vinyl acetate, and molding powders. Artificiels "Fabelta" S. A.) 18, Chaussee de Charleroi, Bruxelles Gevaert Cellulose triacetate. (Photo Produits Gevaert S. A.) 27, rue Septe— Mortsel Anvers Lactilithe Hard casein in sheets and rods, and polyvinyl chlo- (La lactilithe S. A.) ride, polyethylene and cellulose acetate in sheaths, 89, Chaussee d'Audenaerde, Tournai tubes and sheets. Masereel, Ed Copal ester; ester gum; phenolic, urea, melamine, (USINES) maleic, phthalic, glycerol-maleic, and glycerol- 155, Avenue Jupiter, Forest— Bruxelles phthalic resins. Sidac Viscose base film (cellophane), cellulose acetate Societe Industrielle de la Cellulose (Sidac S.A.) film; vinylite films; molded plastic sheets, rods, 61, Avenue Louise, Bruxelles and tubes. Societe Chemique de selzeate, S. A Coumarone-indene resins. 29, Rue Ducal, Bruxelles Solvic, S. A Polyvinyl chloride and compounds, and vinyl copoly- 33, Rue du Prince Albert, Ixelles -Bruxelles mers. Union Chimique Beige S. A Glycerol-phthalic resins; phenolic resins; silicone, 61, Avenue Louise, Bruxelles polyester, acrylic, coumarone, and modified malaic resins. Vynckiers Freres and Cie S. A Phenol and cresol formaldehyde resins, molding 11, Nieuwe Vaart, Gand powder, and synthetic varnish. DENMARK Except for some polystyrene, phenolic molding powders, and methyl-methacrylate sheeting, plastics materials are not produced in Denmark. One company makes annually an estimated 1,000 metric tons of polystyrene from imported styrene monomer. Several other companies manufacture molding materials based on imported phenol, but no production estimates are available. Four firms produce methyl-methacrylate sheeting, clear and colored, in thicknesses of 1 millimeter or more, from imported monomer. The Maersk Refining Plant under construction at Copenhagen will have facilities for producing polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene. Definite production plans have not been announced. The Danish plastics-fabricating industry has increased rapidly in the postwar years and is still expanding. Several companies process plastics materials. One manufacturer makes thin cellulose-acetate sheeting and four others make tubes and rods. Ten firms do injection molding and an equal number manufacture ex- truded products. Several firms do coating and laminating. According to trade estimates, Denmark's pro- duction of plastics meets about 20 percent of con- sumption; the remainder is imported. Any change in this ratio is not expected as basic raw mate- rials and energy resources for profitable, large- scale operations are lacking. In 1956, the United Kingdom, West Germany, and Sweden were the principal sources of Danish imports of plastics materials. The United King- dom, West Germany, Sweden, and Norway supplied the largest share of Danish imports of condensa- tion and polycondensation products. For poly- merization and copolymerization materials, the United Kingdom, West Germany, and the United States were the principal sources. Imports of liquid resins came primarily from West Germany, United Kingdom, Sweden, and Netherlands. Exports of plastics materials are about one- tenth as large as imports and go primarily to Sweden, Finland, Norway, Netherlands, Austria, and Brazil. Producers of plastics materials sell directly to industrial consumers and to avoid competition with them generally do not manufacture finished goods. About 30 Danish importers represent foreign manufacturers of plastics materials and handle nearly all imports of these commodities. Trade centers are in Copenhagen, where most fabricat- ing activities are located. A few larger producers have established their own agencies there. Com- petition is said to have compelled some agents to carry stocks of the more commonly used items to meet rush orders. One Danish manufacturer of polystyrene mold- ing powder operates under a license agreement with a United States company and is partly financed by American capital. A branch of a large Nether- lands concern in the radio and electrical equip- ment line makes plastics parts for its own con- sumption. With these exceptions, no foreign in- vestments or branch factories are known to exist within the Danish industry. There are no agreements for exchange of tech- nical information between Danish and foreign plastics firms, but the industry is keenly interested in technical developments abroad. Plastics are replacing older materials in many cases. A leading manufacturer of galvanized and enameled household goods now produces such items from plastics. Nordiske Kobel— OG Traad- fabriker, the only Danish manufacturer of electric cables, is switching from rubber- to plastic- insulated cables. Plastics packing materials are replacing paper and cardboard for many consumer goods. Consumption of plastics materials from the United States is increasing. Although total 1957 statistics have not been compiled, imports from that source were greater in the first 9 months than in the year 1956. It may be advantageous for United States sup- pliers to extend service to Danish consumers by establishing consignment stocks with local repre- sentatives, thereby offsetting the disadvantage of the transportation time lag which gives European suppliers a more competitive position. United States plastics materials also are some- times at a disadvantage compared to those from Europe because of noncompetitive prices and higher transportation costs. There seems to be a preference for them in many cases, notably poly- ethylene, but since Danish manufacturers are very price- conscious they often buy cheaper European products even though those from the United States may be of better quality. It is said that United States suppliers usually sell against 60 days' sight draft from the date goods are shipped from a United States port. The trade has suggested that 60 to 90 days credit from date of arrival of the goods in Denmark would better suit Danish customers, who are usually agents. Plastics materials in the form of powder, granules, flakes, etc., can be imported free of duty and import permits are not required regard- less of country of origin. Liquid plastics mate- rials are dutiable at 0.20 krone per kilogram (1 krone = US$0,145) and permits are required. Hard plastics sheets, rods, tubes, etc., are dutiable at 0.40 krone per kilogram. Import permits are granted for materials from countries belonging to the European Payments Union (EPU). Permits for importation from the United States are issued sparingly and only for commodities not available from the EPU area. Soft plastics sheets, rods, tubes, etc., are duty free, but permits are required. There is an ex- cise tax of 15 percent ad valorem on plastics dry goods (plastics foil, etc.). There are no government decrees or regulations affecting production, labor conditions, or con- sumption in the plastics industry. The Danish industry employs the usual manu- facturing techniques and there have been no recent new developments. It uses a large number of skilled technicians and products are of high quality. Lack of machinery does not hamper the indus- try's expansion or use of plastics materials. Machinery exporters from the United States, West Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, and Switzerland offer equipment in keen competition to Danish manufacturers. Import licenses are required for the importation of plastics machinery. In general, licenses to meet any reasonable requirements are granted regardless of country of origin. The term "reasonable requirements," however, may serve to bar imports of machinery, when, in the opinion of the Board of Supply, machinery on hand is sufficient to cover domestic demand for plas- tics products. Table 51. — Danish Imports and Exports of Plastics Materials, 1956 [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 kroner. I krone = US$0,145] Imports Exports Quantity Value Quantity Value Crude solid 648 7,025 37,226 12,123 11,255 4,656 427 224 74 1,454 8,312 9,895 Co de d d i'c r d ct 2,033 7,680 3,447 1,323 535 193 25 155 961 873 9 9 5 3 5 64.9 291.9 300.8 PI at" a d c d 1 r' at' d ct Liquid resins ^ C 11 h 1 1 h t 4.8 184.3 485.7 505.5 714 Othe/sheets ^ods etc * ^ 93,319 1,837.9 Danish Statistic Table 52. — Principal Import Sources and Export Markets of Dan sh Plastics Materials, 1956 Classification Imports — principal sources Exports— principal markets Crude solid plastics, unspecified Condensation and polycondensation prod- ucts. Polymerization and copolymerization products. West Germany, United Kingdom, Sweden, Netherlands. United Kingdom, West Germany, Sweden, United Kingdom, West Germany, United States, Sweden. West Germany, United Kingdom, Sweden, Netherlands. United Kingdom, West Germany, Sweden, Belgium-Luxembourg. United Kingdom, West Germany, Italy, Sweden. West Germany, United Kingdom, Sweden. Switzerland, West Germany, United Kingdom. Brazil, France, Sweden. Netherlands, Spain, Norway, Czechoslova- kia, United Kingdom. Cellophane, cellophane paper, etc Celluloid, celluloid acetate powder Insignificant. Insignificant. None. Casein in sheets, rods, tubes, etc Netherlands, United Kingdom, Sweden, West Germany. West Germany, Austria, United King- dom, Netherlands, Sweden. United Kingdom, Sweden, West Germany, United States. Soft plastic goods (plastic dry goods, etc.). Sweden, Norway, United Kingdom, West Ger- many, United States. Brazil, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Nether- Source: Danish Statistical Department. Table 53.— Denmark: Production of Plastics Materials, 1955-56 [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 kroner 1 ] Type 1955 1956 Quantity Value Quantity Value Sheets and foils not laminated 233 337 2,914 3,368 387 1,350 6,713 446 330 80 735 82 952 1,385 14,732 1,810 1 I krone = US $0,145. Source: Danish Statistical Department. Official consumption figures are not available. A reliable industry source has supplied the follow- ing estimated breakdown of Denmark's 1957 con- sumption of plastics materials, in metric tons: Type Quantity Polystyrene 1,700 Cellulose acetate (not including flakes)... 500 Polyethylene (for sheeting and injection molding) 2,500-3,000 Polyesters .„ 250 Polyvinyl chloride compounds (for sheet- ing and injection molding) 400 Polyvinyl chloride resin 1,500 Phenol 600 Urea (consumed by the plastics industry) 400 Melamine .... 600-700 Potential consumption of some plastics materials for 1958-60 was estimated by a reliable industry source as follows (metric tons): Type 1958 1959 1960 Polystyrene 1,800 1,900 2,000 Polyesters 300 350 400 Polyethylene 3,500 4,000 4,500 Phenol 650 700 750 Urea (consumed by plastics industry) 425 450 500 Denmark: Producers of Plastics Materials DANSK POLYSTYROL FABRIK A/S, 40 Gl. Vartowej, Copenhagen. (Polystyrol molding powder). ARBOLIT A/S, 18 Ottiliavej, Copenhagen. POLYPLEX A/S, 3 Ostmark, Copenhagen. SYNTESIA A/S, 14 Scandiagade, Copenhagen. (Phenolic pressing powder). DANSK AKRYLPLADEFABRIK, Roskilde. ISOKRYL, Roskilde. SKANDINAVISK AKRYLFABRIK, Viby S. TERP'S KEMISKE FABRIKER, Roskilde. (Acrylic sheets) HANIAS A/S, 18 Ottiliavej, Copenhagen. (Acetate sheets) EXTRUSION A/S, 40 Landlystvej, Copenhagen. EXOPLAST, 16 Egegaardsvej, Copenhagen. (Rods) CHR. EGELBORG, 22 Islevbrovej, Copenhagen. (Polyethylene tubes). NORDISK KAMFABRIK A/S, Vordingborg. (Rods and polyethylene tubes). EIRE Plastics materials, except for some casein out- put, are not produced in Ireland. The limited Irish market for both plastics materials and prod- ucts is not capable of supporting large-scale volume. There are about 20 small molding firms in the country, with only about 7 having more than 12 employees. These firms operate with a few presses and borrow molds for short periods of time from firms in the United Kingdom. Three firms specialize in extrusion, 2 companies do coating, and 1 establishment has commenced pro- duction of leathercloth in sufficient quantities to supply home market requirements. Some 15 or 20 small firms fabricate acrylics and rigid poly- vinyl chloride materials. Acrylates primarily for signs and other advertising and display products are the most widely used plastics in Ireland. Phenolic and urea resins are used for radio cabi- nets, electrical fixtures, plugs, switches, toilet articles, etc.; polystyrene for cold-water tubing; and vinyls for the manufacture of cable and leathercloth. Due to the small domestic demand for plastics products, Ireland's imports of plastics materials are rather low. About 85 percent of these im- ports come from Great Britain, 5 percent from Germany, 5 percent from the United States (most- ly polystyrene and cellulose acetate) and the re- mainder from other countries. Britain currently controls practically the entire Irish market for plastics materials, with competition from Ger- many said to be currently keener while that from U. S. producers appears to have stabilized. Exports of plastics products from Ireland in 1955 were insignificant and mostly consigned to Great Britain. Several United Kingdom companies do some molding in Ireland, largely radio cabinets, and these products are exported to the Philippines and Malaya. A branch of a large British chemical firm maintains a warehouse in Ireland and carries ex- tensive stocks of plastics materials because local companies are small and lack capital to permit them to carry inventories. Plastics materials are admitted to Ireland duty free with the exception of the following: "Sheets, ebonite, casein, etc.: -Material which is imported in sheets and is ebonite or is composed wholly or partly of casein, synthetic resin, a cellulose ester, or a substance similar, in the opinion of the Revenue Commissioners, in character to casein, synthetic resin, or a cellu- lose ester." The rate of duty is 50 percent ad valorem (full) and 33—1/3 percent ad valorem (preferential— United Kingdom and other Common- wealth countries). The duty does not apply to material which, in the opinion of the Revenue Commissioners, is transparent cellulose wrap- ping. There are no decrees or regulations affecting production, labor conditions, consumption, and domestic and foreign trade of plastics in Ireland. Table 54. — Quantity and Value of Ireland's Imports of Plastic Materials, 1952-55 Year Quantity (pounds) (d /alue liars) 1,094,352 2, 132,928 2,324,672 2,970,464 1954 Source: Irish Industrial Development Authority. FINLAND (Reprinted from CHEMICAL AND RUBBER INDUSTRY REPORT, February 1957) The Finnish plastics industry started in 1921 with the manufacture of buttons from galalith, derived from casein. Up until World War II the industry developed slowly but has rapidly ex- panded since. Today there are over 150 plastics manufacturers in the country, although many of these are small. In 1955, the value of production of members of the Finnish Plastics Association, which represents about 95 percent of the industry, amounted to $14.1 million exclusive of the manu- facture of plastics materials. The industry em- ploys an estimated 3,000 workers, and a wide range of finished products are manufactured, in- cluding household articles, plastic foil and film, floor covering, electrical parts, toys, etc. There is practically no foreign investment in the Finnish plastics industry and no U. S. or other foreign branch factories have been established. Finland depends primarily upon imports of plastics materials for its plastic industry al- though limited quantities of some materials are produced domestically. Because of foreign ex- change restrictions, imports of plastics materials and semifinished manufactures from the U. S. are relatively small, representing in 1955 about 5.8 percent of the total import licenses issued which were valued at $4.9 million. In 1955, the principal source of imports was Great Britain, followed by West Germany, Norway, and France. Imports of plastics products are confined to occasional small lots, while exports, which consist largely of buttons and radio cabinet knobs, are negligible. The Finnish woodworking industry is making in- creasing use of plastics as coating and binding materials in the manufacture of plywood and chip- board. U. S. plastics materials are highly re- garded by the Finnish trade and are preferred to those from other countries. However, prevailing foreign exchange restrictions preclude any large amount of such imports. About 50 percent of the volume of all imports of plastics materials are subject to import control. Shortage of all types of modern machinery is said to be a major obstacle to the continued ex- pansion of the Finnish plastics industry. The Plastics Association has made strenuous efforts on behalf of its members to obtain a greater allocation of foreign currency for the purchase of new equipment, but dollar exchange limits have impeded these efforts. Domestic manufacture of machinery for the plastics industry comprises only a limited number of smaller presses. Types especially needed are injection and extrusion machines. Table 55.— Finnish Production of Plastics Materials, Item Metr c tons > acetate moldin owder moldina Dowder Amino (u Plastics rea, mel amine) molding powde glues for plywood and other 'wood" 48 Urea alu lastics Tariff Categories 28-082, 28-084, and 82-008 Country 1954 1955 Metric tons Value Metric tons Value Great Britain... 3,196 365 221 379 31 17 6 1,677 880 $1,518,593 342, 435 135,860 136,517 3,278 604 $2,046,904 473,207 Czechoslovakia.. 102 1,060 55 10 2,109 1,137 t2,545 3,256 12,053 33,538 14, 130 610,604 592, 172 Switzerland West Germany.... 23,870 688, 392 730,230 Total 6,772 3,395,902 8,359 4,447,206 lish Tariff Statistic Table 57. — Finnish Consumption of Plastii 1955 Iten Molding powder, total , Cellulose acetate , Phenol -formaldehyde , Urea-formaldehyde Melamine-formaldehyde Polystyrene , Polyethylene Polyvinyl chloride (plast ic i zed) , Polyvinyl chloride (resin) , Alkyd resins , Urea glues Acrylic, cellulose nitrate and other sheet Other resins > , Total , Sour i Assc Production and Trade The French plastics industry, which was some- what static during and immediately following World War II, developed rapidly in the postwar period and continues to expand. In 1954, production of plastics materials amounted to 75,000 metric tons, two-thirds more than the 1953 output of 43,000 tons (table 58); al- most 4 times that of 1948; and over 9 times that of 1938, when output was 8,000 tons. In 1955 pro- duction increased to 95,000 tons, according to in- dustry estimates, but France still ranks sixth be- hind the United States, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, and Italy. French consumption of plastics materials increased about 47 percent, from 58,000 tons in 1953 to 85,000 tons in 1954 (table 59). Table 58. — France: Production of Plastics Materials, by Type, 1953-54 [ In metric tons] Type of material 1953 1954 Cellulose semifinished products (nitrate and acetate) Polyvinyl chloride (dried resins) Polyvinyl acetals, alcohols, and acetate Polymethacrylates 4,000 } 16,000 540 nil 3,620 nil | 6,200 f 4,660 7,700 nil 5,000 , 24,000 i ^.OOO 830 Phenoplasts: Miscellaneous solutions Miscellaneous solid compounds Aminoplasts: Dried resins for solutions and 1 1,950 Polvesters 42,720 : M nimu m estima e. 2 The total of 14,150 tons o finis roducts orresponds to 8,000 tons of dried 3 lt i est imated a additional 2,000 tons of resins a duced by 1 arge pai t manufacturers for their own use. So rce: Indust ie des Plastiques, May 1955 (offic licat on o f Centre d'Etudes des Matieres Plastiques). France, which formerly had to import the greater part of its plastics materials require- ments and still must import some special resins and materials, has become a net exporter of cellu- lose acetate, polyvinyl chloride, and polyamides (nylon). It imported 22,307 tons of plastics ma- terials in 1954, valued at about 7 billion francs ($19.9 million) and exported 12,464 tons, valued at 5.0 billion francs ($14.4 billion) (table 66). The French plastics industry calculated con- sumption of plastics materials by adding produc- tion and imports and subtracting exports of prin- cipal plastics materials (tables 58, 62, and 64). Such imports in 1954 totaled 18,800 tons valued at 5.8 billion francs ($17 million), and exports, 8,100 tons valued at 3.3 billion francs ($9 million). The United States was the principal supplier in 1954 accounting for 30 percent of French imports by value. Other important sources were Canada, West Germany, Great Britain, and Italy (tables 62 and 63). Overseas France, Switzerland, Belgium- Luxemburg, and Great Britain were the principal customers. Table 59. — France: Consumption of Plastics Materials, by Type, 1953-54 Type of material 1953 1954 4,850 } 17,400 1,250 1,200 8,950 1,300 7,700 6,800 8,100 250 30 Polyvinyl acetals, alcohols, and acetate Methacrylates Pol yam ides • 3,940 1,460 800 Aminoplasts Polyesters 57,830 Piques , May 1955 (off i< 'lastiques), lication of Centre d'Etudes des Mat Structure of the Industry While French plastics materials are produced primarily by large chemical companies, finished plastics products are produced by about 2,500 enterprises, mostly small establishments. Re- search is well developed among the large plastics materials producers, but among the numerous plastics products manufacturers, which have Gov- ernment coordination, it is modest. Producers of synthetic resins and semiproc- essed materials are organized in a professional association of manufacturers known as the Syn- dicat Professional des Fabricants de Matieres Plastiques et de Resines. Probably eight member companies of this association account for over half of French production of plastics materials. Processors of plastics materials are grouped together in the Union des Syndicate de la Trans- formation des Matieres Plastiques, which is a federation of national or regional primary asso- ciations of enterprises according to the nature of their end-products. The associations within the Union represent those for the manufacture of electrical insulators and molded objects; combs, buttons, makers of inlaid ware, brushes, toys, and related trades; fountain pens, rubber, plastics, and plastic sheets; and materials of vinylite, fi- bers, and other plastics products. The Union participates in commercial exposi- tions, such as fairs in Paris, Lille, and Lyon, and Table 60. — France: Consumption of Plastic Materials- -Percentage D istribution by End- Use Total Type of material Cellulosics Vinyl- ites lates Poly- amides Poly- sty- Poly- ethyl- Pheno- plasts plasts Solu- ble Sili- Poly- ters Types of end-use Molded ders Sheets Coated films Total 100.0 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Sheets, films, and coated materials Extrusion and rigid half- products Electricity Building and Paints and var- 17.5 13.5 15.5 4.5 2.5 8.0 1.2 0.7 1.0 2.5 1.5 2.5 1.0 4.5 3.0 1.0 1.3 2.5 12.8 20 20 20 20 20 25 15 30 60 40 62 20 13 2 9 10 7 16 10 3 21 5 15 3 70 6 8 8 4 35 25 16 30 25 30 15 40 30 5 5 20 10 33 33 24 35 25 20 20 12 20 8 60 Industrial parts Refrigeration Radio-television Automobi le Aviation, marine, and armament Measuring and optical instru- Wrapping — pack- Medicine, odon- tology, and surgery Toys Household appl 1- Office supplies Combs, spec- tacles, costume jewelry specified Miscellaneous. .. 100 Source: Industrie des Plastiques , May 1955 (official pul maintains exhibits of the latest products of its members as well as an information service for prospective buyers. Beginning in 1954, the Union organized an annual Congress of Processors of Plastic Materials, at which technical and commer- cial production questions and merchandising problems, such as quality and presentation, are discussed. The first two such Congresses were held in Lyon and Paris. The plastics products industry is centered mainly in Paris, Lyon, Oyonnax (Department of Ain near Lyon), and Miru (Department of the Oise). Manufacturers in a given area tend to con- centrate on production of certain articles, e.g., buttons in Miru and combs in Oyonnax. Of the approximately 2,500 processors, about 1,500 are more craft-shops than producers. Of the 1,000 enterprises which can be designated as :ation of Centre d'Etudes des Matieres Plastiques). manufacturing establishments, only a few are im- portant. The latest industry canvass classifies these enterprises according to manufacturing ac- tivity as follows: Enterprises 1 Number Injection molders 802 Compression molders 498 Producers of laminated products 11 High-frequency molders „».. 403 Sheet -working, vacuum forming and stamping . 220 Extruders 134 Laminates, compression and machining „ 67 Pressers (calendering).. 26 Miscellaneous 50 'Some enterprises appear in several categories. Table 61. — France: Imports and Exports of Principal Plastics Materials, by Types, 1954 [Quantity in metric tons; value in millions of francs] :etate butyrate iterials with cellu- ir base (cellulose is, sheets, shapes, Phenoi (molding powder), nerized phenoplast (semi- ished products) Aminoplasts (molding powder). i (en is).. chic ride).. I (m« acetatechl Polyvinyl acetals and alcohols Acrylate and methacrylate derivatives Polystyrene Polyethylene... (polyvinyls -ol, !.).. Products resulting from the condensation of polyalcohols with polyacids, modified.... > estimated that at least 100 t Injection Molding A census conducted on February 25, 1955, re- corded an estimated 3,300 presses in France for injection molding, representing a total capacity of 213,000 grams. Average gross capacity is 63 grams. The following shows distribution of presses by capacity: Capacity in grams Up to 15 Number of presses 324 20 to 25 1,175 30 to 40 178 50 815 60 to 80 51 90 127 Table 62. — France: Imports of Principal Plastics Mater ials, by Principal Countries of Origin, 1953-54 [Quantity in metric tons, value in millions of francs] Country 1953 quantity 1 2 850 ,' - 2 700 2,500 Sweden 710 525 1954 Country Quantity Value 5,457 2,979 2,571 1,703 985 770 754 567 1 823 Canada 694 919 702 617 176 332 2 74 All other Total 18,767 5,809 i Etudes des Matie :s). Table 63. — France: Imports of Principal Plastics Materials, by Type and Principal Countries of Origin, 1954 [Metric tons] Type of materi al Country 1954 Great Britain Bel gium-Luxemburg West Germany Switzerland West Germany 348 190 157 Aceta e chlorid Switzerland United States West Germany West Germany 236 168 United States United States 2,031 Phenoplasts West Germany Great Britain.... Great Britain.... Switzerland Great Britain Great Britain West Germany Aminoplasts (for n Aminoplasts (emul« olding) 72 ions and 179 467 138 i of Centre d' Etudes des Matte Number of Capacity in grams presses 100 301 120 to 160 229 200. 6 300 to 400 65 500 to 900 14 1,000 to 1,300.. 35 2,000 to 4,000.. 4 Total 3,324 The trend is toward an increase in the number of large -capacity presses. In 1952, there was no equipment of more than 1,700 -gram capacity. During 1955, there should have been about 10 presses exceeding that capacity (already in oper- ation and on order). The quantity of molding powder processed in 1954 was about 17,000 tons; the average amount processed per establishment (802 firms) was 21 tons and the per press average of finished prod- ucts was 5 tons. Compression Molding There are 3,700 presses for compression mold- ing or about 7 to 8 presses per firm. Consump- tion of thermosetting molding powder reached 12,300 tons in 1954, which was a processing aver- age of 3.3 tons per press. An average of 25 tons of finished molded articles per firm was produced. This segment of the industry is more highly concentrated than the large number of enterprises (498) would indicate. It is estimated that 2 molders account for 30 percent of total production and 5 account for 55 percent. About 4,000 per- sons are employed in the thermosetting field. A similar estimate is not available for thermoplas- tics. In 1952, compression-molding accounted for the employment of 26,500 production workers and 7,500 office staff employees. The number of workers should have increased to 35,000 in 1955. The industry is composed of highly individualistic enterprises which are inclined to resist organi- zation, discipline, and standards. It has been ob- served that manufacturers of thermosetting prod- ucts are better organized than makers of ther - moplastic products, probably because the former were the first to become well established. Capital Investment Capital investment (building and equipment) in the plastics manufacturing industry is said to represent from 50 to 60 billion francs ($140 to $170 million). An additional 6 to 7 billion francs may be invested in inventories, which average about 6 months' requirements in order to insure uniformity of supplies. There has been a tend- ency to reduce stocks to a level of 30 to 45 days' requirements as quality and specifications of ma- terials become more reliable. Foreign Capital and Patents Little foreign capital is invested in the produc- tion of plastics materials. The only enterprises known to have foreign participation are Solvic (Belgian -British) and Le Polystyrene Francais (Swedish). However, foreign interest exists in the ownership of patents, the use of which has been licensed to French producers. An American firm has furnished manufacturing processes and licenses for the use of patents to the French Boussois group, which has supplied capital and plant facilities for the manufacture of polystyrene. All of the polystyrene, polyethylene, and silicones reportedly are produced under foreign patents (Swedish, British, German^ and American). Poly- vinyl chlorides, phenolics, polyesters, and cellu- losics are produced mostly under French patents, although some American and British patents are used for polyesters and polyvinyl chlorides. Similarly, there is very little foreign capital investment in the manufacture of plastics prod- Table 64. — France: Exports of Principal Plastics Materials by Principal Countries of Destination, 1954 [Quantity in metric tons, value in millions of francs] try 1954 Quan tity Value 1,047 984 632 496 436 420 149 3,915 Spain Other, including Overseas 82 8,079 publication of Centre d'Etudes des Matieres Plastiques). Table 65. — France: Exports of Principal Plastics Materials by Type and Principal Countries of Destination, 1954 [ In metric tons] Type of m aterial Country 1954 Cellulose acet ate.. ride. Great Britain 201 Polyviny Polystyre Belgium-Luxemburg Indo-China West Germany 589 466 436 Polyamide Argentina Switzerland Bel gium- Luxemburg 297 977 Source 1 ication : Industr of Centre ie des P d'Etudes last des que Mat , May 1955 (officia eres Plastiques). "*■ ucts. Some such investment exists in Oyonnax by the Swiss and in Paris by the British, but it is in- significant compared to total investment in an al- most purely French industry. Domestic capital appears to have been sufficient for rapid expan- sion and many small enterprises have installed new productive equipment to meet increased de- mand. Several companies manufacture semi- finished products under licensing arrangements with holders of foreign patents. Such materials include nylon, cellophane, "Plexiglas," vulcanized fiber, polyvinyl chloride sheets, and polyethylene hose. Production Costs and Government Policy The French plastics industry is burdened with high costs for raw materials and labor, which re- sult in prices averaging about 30 percent higher than those of its principal foreign competitors. This problem is related to the manner in which the industry was developed and is now organized. Numerous small firms mushroomed into exist- ence to meet an unsatisfied demand for plastics products. The most efficient enterprises ex- panded, but many less efficient ones are still in operation and remain opposed to specialization, standardization, and mass production. This prob- lem of the plastics industry is only part of the larger problem of reducing costs generally in French industry. These include the high cost of electric power, higher wages paid to women who are employed in large numbers in finishing proc- esses (in Germany and Italy the differential be- tween wage scales for men and women is much greater than in France), social security payments amounting to 40 percent of salary, and high cus- toms duties and amortization charges on machin- ery, over 60 percent of which is imported. Government policy protected the domestic in- dustry from foreign competition during the post- war years and previously helped it acquire essen- tial new machinery and equipment by credits and exemptions from customs duties. It was antici- pated that the industry would employ this period to modernize and introduce mass production methods as a means of reducing costs and in- creasing competition. It also was assumed that as the industry developed more imports could be absorbed. Increases in import quotas are cur- rently under consideration and eventually will be established. During the German occupation, all customs duties were suspended; they were reim- posed gradually after the war, as French industry recovered. Ad valorem customs duties were in- troduced in December 1947, when France adopted a new tariff system. The licensing procedure was put into effect just prior to World War II and has never been abolished. Equipment and modernization funds were made available to the plastics industry under the First Modernization Plan (1948-1952), mainly for equip- ment to increase output. No requests have yet originated from the plastics industry for govern- ment funds appropriated for 1955 under the Sec- ond Modernization and Equipment Plan, as far as is known. Research and Development Large chemical companies which produce plas- tics materials have their own research facilities and programs. The Centre d'Etudes des Matieres Plastiques (Research Center for Plastics Materi- als) confines its work to technical problems in the utilization and adaptation of plastics materi- als. Its studies are in the fields of molecular mass and structure; electrical properties; ther- mal, mechanical, and physical chemical prop- erties; and the processes and equipment used in the manufacture of plastics articles. The Research Center, formed in 1943, is admin- istered by a board on which the Government, aca- demic institutions, producers of plastics materi- als, and product manufacturers are represented. Its modest budget for research is about 25 million francs ($70,000). About 20 million francs are raised by a small tax on the annual business of producers and the balance of 5 million francs comes from the Interassociational Grouping of Friends of the Research Center. The latter or- ganization was formed in 1952 to assist the Cen- ter financially in planning research programs; contributions are mainly on a voluntary basis from manufacturers who are interested in specif- ic research projects. Dues from those enter- prises which adhere to the grouping are fixed at a small percentage of annual business. The Re- search Center has a director and 10 employees. It has no laboratories of its own, but supervises experimental projects in the laboratories of Ecole Poly technique, the Conservatoire des Arts et Metiers, and the Faculte des Sciences of the University of Paris. The Research Center col- laborates with the Laboratoire Central des Indus- tries Electriques in the testing and standardiza- tion of plastic insulating equipment. What France lacks more than anything else, according to the Director of the Research Center, is academic re- search in the application of plastics materials such as exists in the United States. The Research Center also is responsible for classification of materials and the establishment of standards of quality. It operates as a bureau of standards for semiprocessed and finished prod- ucts and administers the "mark of quality" cre- ated by a ministerial decision for plastics prod- ucts. The national administrations for posts, telegraphs, and telephones (P. T. T.) and railways require the mark of quality for phenoplasts and aminoplasts ordered by their services. More than half the phenoplast molding powders and al- most all molded plastic articles for electrical or mechanical use carry the mark. A technical committee composed of represent- atives of government, consumer government agen- Table 66.— France: Imports and Exports of Cellulose Derivative, Plastic Materials, and Artificial Resins, 1954-55 [Quantity in metric tons; value in millions of francs 1 ] xanthate), unworked: In sheets, cut or unci square or rectangulai and untreated. . als ith i base of cellulose ester: in blocks, mass, granult plates, sheets, tubes, rolls, rods, or powder: With a base of cellulose acetates... With a base of nitro- cellulose (celluloid', With a base of other asters celluloi mixed esters Cellulose ethers (methyl cellulose, benzyl cellulose, PI ast ic materials > base of cellulose ethers, crude, rectified or otherwise worked, waste and scrap Derivatives of albuminoid materials: als ith £ base of albuminoid mate- rials (hardened casein, etc.) in blocks, mass, plates, sheets, tubes, roll; rods. Condensation products from polyacids with polyalcohols: Modified by addition of natural or synthetic resins, oils, or fatty acids Other Condensation products from phenols, amines or amides, Phenoplasts resulting from condensation of phenols or thei r homologues aldehydes: Not modified: Nonpolymerized: Soluble in dry oils See footnote at end of table. th 20.2 24.6 822.8 142.4 1,138.8 114.3 19.6 57.6 47.5 ,153.2 283.4 595.5 131.0 Table 66. — France: i metric tons; Nonpol ymer i zed — Con. 20 percent of fillers Emulsions and solutions.... Other Polymerized Modified by resins, oils, or otherwise ninoplasts resulting from ;ondensation of amines or ildehydes: Non polymerized: Powders for molding mtair r 20 I lei with or without Emulsions and solu- Other Products of polymerization, thermoplastic derivatives o' ethylene or its homologues (vinyl, acrylic, and methacrylic): Polyvinyl acetate Polyvinyl chloride Polyvinyl idene chloride... Other esters of polyvinyl copolymers , Copolymers of vinyl ester: and acrylic or methacryl acid Polyvinyl ethers and Chemical derivatives of polyvinyl acetate, alcoho and polyvinyl acetals.... Acrylic and methacrylic Polystyrene Polyethylene Other Linear products of polycon- Polyamides Polyurethanes and others., Other plastic materials and artificial resins tion and from poly- merization See footnote at end of table. 259.8 22.3 5,589.7 3,726.7 323.0 343.8 322.8 381.9 2,634.4 1,086.2 76.0 272.0 23.3 1,050.7 2,602.8 2,624.0 354.2 133.7 91.3 [Quantity in metri 1954 1955 Type Imports Exports Imports Exports Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Linear products of polycon- densation— Con. Natural resins modified by fusion (melted gums) or combined with polyalcohols 109.1 209.3 120.2 19 19 48 29.9 16.9 264.8 2 68 126.8 581.6 72.3 22 48 19 21.8 20.7 300.3 Plastic materials and elsewhere specified: Other 77 Total 22,306.6 6,963 12,463.8 5,044 25,105.8 7,644 13,782.9 5,858 franc equals US$0.002857. .urce: France Tableau General du Con cies, nationalized enterprises, and producing and consuming industries meets periodically to re- view control procedures and fix standards of qual- ity. Expenses of management and control are covered by a tax of two-tenths of one percent of the annual turnover of manufacturers whose res- ins carry the mark of quality as well as a tax ranging from 6,000 to 75,000 francs per year based on the tonnage of molders who use the marks. The system of control and analysis helps to simplify and make uniform the various proc- esses and models and prevents multiplicity of specifications. It also furnishes a basis for de- termining minimum variations in quality and for comparting domestic and imported plastics ma- terials. The Research Center is responsible for carry- ing out necessary international contacts, stand- ards, and participation in technical meetings in- volving the classification and standardization of plastics materials. France: Producers of Synthetic Resins and Plastics Materials Company Commodities Ste Alsthom Acrylics. Paris Ste La Bakelite Phenolic resins. Bezons, Seine and Oise Ste La Bellignite Cellulose acetate Belignat, Ain and nitrate. Ste'R. C. I. Backacite Phthalic resins, Bezons, Seine and Oise polyesters. Cie du Celluloid Petit Colin... Cellulose acetate Paris and nitrate. Ets. Convert Cellulose acetate Yonnax, Ain and nitrate, poly- esters. France: Producers of Synthetic Resins and Plastics Materials— Con. Company Commodities Ethylene Plastique, S. A Polyethylene. Mazingarbe, Pas -de -Calais Cie Francaise de Matieres Urea -formaldehyde Colorantes. and phthalic Paris resins. Ste Huiles Gondrons and Phenolic resins, Derive's. polystyrene. Paris Houilleres du Bassin du Nord Polyesters. et du Pas de Calais. Bruay, Pas de Calais Ets. Gonnetan Cellulose acetate Yonnax, Ain and nitrate. Ste Kodak Pathe' Cellulose acetate Vincennes, Seine and nitrate. Ets. Kuhlmann Polyvinyl chloride Paris Monsante-Boussois Cellulose acetate Paris and nitrate, polystyrene. Ste Nobel Francaise, Paris.... Cellulose acetate and nitrate, polyesters. Organico of Marseille Polyamides. (Bouche -du -RJ lone) Ste Pechiney Polyvinyl chloride, Paris polystyrene, polyethylene. Petitcollin Oyonnithe Polyesters, cellu- Paris losics. Ste La Plastose Phenolic resins. Paris Ste Resine and Vernis Arti- Urea, phenol, mela- ficiels. mine and phthalic Paris resins, polyesters, polystyrene. France: Producers of Synthetic Resins and Plastics Materials— Con. Company Commodities St£ Rhone-Poulenc Cellulose acetate, Paris polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, and silicones. Cie St-Gobain Polyvinyl chloride, Paris silicones, poly- esters. Rhodiaceta „ Polyamides. Lyon, Rhone Sheby ..... Polyesters. Paris Ste Solvic Polyvinyl chloride. Paris Ste Syntova Phthalic resins. Vitry, Seine Le Polystyrene Polystyrene. Sant-Nazaire (Lorie Atlantique) GERMANY, WEST Production and Trade West German plastics production, after a 90- percent drop from the wartime (1944) figure of 250,000 tons to 23,000 by 1947, began a steady climb to reach a new high in 1956. In 1952, Ger- many had advanced to the second place among plastics producing nations, with 190,000 tons, and has since increased the lead over her nearest rival, Great Britain. From 1953 on, average yearly production gains have approximated 90,000 tons. Prewar production of plastics was concentrated almost entirely on condensation products and cel- lulose derivatives. By 1950 output of polymeriza- tion products had begun a steady increase so that by 1956 they accounted for nearly half of all pro- duction. Since 1951, while cellulose deviations have increased 100 percent and condensation prod- ucts 145 percent, polymerization products have in- creased nearly 340 percent. stimated World Production of Plastics, [ In 1,000 metric tons] Country I9it7 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 Un i ted States 610 110 24 9 23 900 1,030 160 33 23 18 98 1,500 1,160 180 40 26 42 168 1,800 1,100 160 35 29 50 190 1,800 1,320 220 53 52 53 240 2,100 1,270 280 85 74 75 325 2,400 1,620 330 96 98 95 4^5 3,000 1,800 n a Italy n.a. West Germany i i table. itics Producers' Associatic Table 68.— West Germany: Plastics Production, by Types, 1938, 1950-56 [ In I ,000 metric tons] Type 1938 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 erivatives 31 44 2 28 40 30 31 81 56 29 80 81 39 97 104 47 130 148 50 175 200 Condensatio Polymerizat n products ion products 198 245 Total... 77 98 168 190 240 325 425 505 Source: Plastics Producers' Association, Frankfurt/M. The plastics industry in West Germany enjoyed another successful year in 1956. Output of mate- rials totaled 525,985 metric tons, 23 percent over 1955. Production of polymerization materials (polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polystyrene, polyethylene, polymethacrylate, etc.) set the pace with 261,339 tons, a gain of 30 percent above the 1955 level (see table 69). Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the most significant polymerization product, has been in demand for cable insulation, protective film, artificial leather, floor covering, pipe, profiles, hose, and long-play- ing records. Output has been increased substanti- ally in recent years to a level of about 75,000 tons and capacity is expected eventually to reach 100,000 tons. It has been estimated that of the total 1955 consumption of polyvinyl chloride, amounting to 60,000 tons, 50 percent was used for film, artificial leather, and floor covering; 25 per- cent for cable insulation; 15 percent for tubes, extrusions, and profiles; and 10 percent for pipe, etc. Table 69.— West German Production of P terials by Major Type, 1 955-! [Metric tons] Plastics from celk Celluloid Other (by difference) Synthetic resins and molding compounds: Condensat ion products Hardenable plastics, phenol bas Hardenable plastics, urea base. Glue resins, phenol and urea ba Modified synthetic resins for Phenolic molding compounds Other (by difference) Polymerization products.. Other (by difference).... 200,509 3,910 32,392 32,363 41,004 Statistisches Bundesamt, Wiesbaden. [ Quantity in metric ton s; value i n 1,000 DM] Type and principal country of origin Quantity Percent of total Value Percent of total Condensation products 4,402 100 35 22 18 17 100 30 27 10 8 6 100 21 20 19 16 100 33 31 100 89 100 78 16,744 46,377 23,289 151 2,429 379 100 Polymerization 17,996 ^ Plastics from 4,456 Plastics from hardened protein. . . . 36 100 Plastics from natural resins and derivates from natural rubber 1,766 100 Other plastics 244 100 Total 28,900 89,36-9 Statistisches Bundesamt, Wiesbaden. Polystyrene output, primarily for injection mold- ing, increased from 20,000 tons in 1955 to 25,000 tons during 1956. Development of special grades with high-impact strength has increased applica- tions for this material. Production of polyethlene, polyisobutylene, and the polyfluorocarbons expanded from 6,500 tons in 1955 to some 20,000 tons during 1956. The increase was primarily in high-pressure polyethy- lene. Expansion programs under way for polyethy- lene contemplate an increase from 10,000 tons to around 35,000 tons by the end of 1958. Capital outlay is expected to reach DM 140 million (1 DM equals U S $0,238). Production of polyacrylates and methacrylates increased to 14,000 tons during 1956, nearly 3,000 tons above output in 1955. Further expansion is sparked by new applications in the illumination field. Condensation products were the second largest category and accounted for 37 percent of all plastics materials produced in 1956. Output was 195,833 tons, approximately 13 percent greater than in 1955. Especially noteworthy were polya- mides, polyu re thanes, polyester resins, and silicones, amounting to 26,000 tons in 1956, an increase of 25 percent over 1955. Most important were the polyurethane foam materials used for load-bearing supports and cores in laminated construction and also for heat and acoustical in- sulation. An estimated 4,000 tons of polyester resins were produced in 1956, primarily for roof- ing and glazed panels, bathtubs, sinks, tanks, and containers. The uses of silicone oils and resins have been expanded and silicone rubber, a cold- cured compound, is being supplied in kneadable, pourable, and brushable forms. Output of cellulosic materials, primarily for transparent packaging, increased from 50,670 tons in 1955 to 64,462 tons in 1956, a 27-percent increase. Price levels of materials decreased slightly following achievement of full-scale production of some items for the first time and greater com- petition in domestic and export markets. Wages increased an average of 8 percent at the start of 1956 and an additional 3 percent in the last quarter of the year. No serious supply difficulties were experienced by materials producers during 1956, although shortages of cresol restricted production of cresylic molding compounds. An increase of 7 percent in coke production and a 12-percent in- crease in oil- refining upped supplies of coal tar and petroleum- based raw materials. Imports of plastics materials rose from 20,293 tons worth DM 67,401,000 in 1955 to 28,900 tons valued at DM 89,369,000 in 1956. Polymerization products advanced from 12,967 tons to 17,996 tons and accounted for 62 percent of imports by volume and 52 percent by value. The largest supplier by value of these materials was the United States, with DM 18,916,000, followed by Italy with DM 10,004,000. Switzerland led in condensation products, followed by the Netherlands and the United States. Imports of cellulose plas- tics materials came mostly from Belgium and were valued at DM 9,716,000; Great Britain and the United States were other leading suppliers. Exports of plastics materials registered sub- stantial increases in 1956—26 percent in volume and 22 percent in value over 1955. A total of 110,034 tons valued at DM 363,459,000 was export- ed in 1956, compared with 87,531 tons valued at DM 297,609,000 in 1955. Approximately 68 percent of 1956 exports was polymerization materials, 20 percent condensation products, and 12 percent cellulose materials. Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, and Great Britain were the major markets. Argentina and Brazil were the leading Latin American customers. Exports to the Soviet Bloc, mostly to Poland and Czechoslo- vakia, accounted for some 5 percent of total ex- ports. Although exports to the United States, mostly of polymerization products, increased from DM 10,743,000 in 1955 to DM 11,738,000 in 1956, these shipments were about 3 percent of the value of total German exports of plastics materials in 1956. Production and sales of plastics products (processing industry) followed the general indus- trial uptrend in 1956, but less spectacularly than in previous years. Sales of plastics products increased from DM 958.6 million in 1955 to DM 1,172.1 million in 1956, an advance of 22.3 per- cent. Table 71.— West Germany: Exports of Plastics, 1956 [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 DM] Type and p incipal country of destination Quantity Percent of total Value Percent of total Condensation product 21,533 100 13 10 10 9 7 7 5 100 8 8 7 7 7 7 7 7 100 10 8 100 34 15 10 100 19 12 9 100 29 77,819 Swit rland S d n It lv Netherlands Denmark Polymerization produ ts 74,060 230,759 n se 12,918 49,098 28" 1,373 Plastics from natura resins and derivatives from natura, 1,232 4,361 16 5 7 49 100 110,034 363,459 Statistisches Bundesamt, I Tat»le 72 . — Production of West Germany's Plastics- Processing Industry, by Type of Consumer, 1955-56 [Value in 1,000 DM- 1 DM= US$0,238] Plastics goods and parts for— Machinery Vehicle and shipbuilding... Electrotechnical Precision instruments and Iron, sheet, and metalware. Textiles and clothing Footwear Packaging Foam plastics Household use, etc Coatings, artifical leather, hoses, and profiles Other plastics goods and Total 38,757 22,966 156,331 312,106 190,740 38,525 12,622 84,596 9,048 65,327 57,503 109,142 372,784 155,387 Sou re Statistisches Bundesamt, Wiesbaden. The producing and processing industries expect lower profit margins when the 45 -hour week for chemical workers becomes general in 1957. Re- search and rationalization will continue to receive full attention as a means of avoiding increased production costs. Investment yields may shrink as profit margins narrow and capital limitations may hinder desired expansion. Imports of articles made of plastics materials amounted to 1,100 metric tons valued at DM 9,972,000 in 1956. Exports of articles made of plastics materials increased 16 percent to DM 178,278,000 in 1956, or about 15 percent of total processed plastics sales in 1956. These data, however, are incom- plete since many plastic articles are included in other categories of merchandise. Important to both the plastics-materials and plastics-processing industries was the opening in May 1957 of the DeutschesKunststoff Institut (Ger- Table 73.— West Germany: Production of Processed Plastics, by Type, in the First Half of 1955 and of 1956 [Value in million DM] Type June 1955 June 1956 Percent Polyvinyl chloride products.. Laminates 131.5 25.7 86.4 56.1 43.8 32.2 36.1 9.9 157.9 20.1 98.6 88.0 47.5 36.1 59.8 20.6 + 17.3 -21.8 .... mo i dinas and acrylates products + 8.4 Products from other plastics + 65.6 Sourc istics Pre inkfurt/M. man Plastics Institute) at Darmstadt, a joint un- dertaking of plastics -materials and processing companies and the Federal and Land Hesse Governments. The Institut will be dedicated to research in production and processing methods and the training of personnel. Its operations will be coordinated with those of the Technical Uni- versity of Darmstadt. The outlook for West German plastics is favor- able. Increasing attention given to plastics at fairs and exhibitions reflects a growing interest in these materials. Plastics materials and chemicals for their manufacture should be in good supply in 1957 as capacity has been expanded and certain bottle- necks eliminated. Continued emphasis will be placed on petrochemicals as a source of plastics materials. Table 7t. ^-Employment, Man Hours, Wages, and Salaries Plastics-Processing Industry, Employment (annual average).. Man hours (1,000 hours) Wages (1,000 DM) 1 Salaries (1,000 DM) 1 45,148 78,884 118,301 52,618 85,274 140,641 50,758 DM e als U.S.$ .238. > Processors' Association, Frankfurt/M. West Germany: Producers of Synthetic Resins and Plastics Materials Company and address Commodities Anorgana GmbH Alkyds, polyvinylchloride. Muenchen Allegemeine Elektrictaets-Gesellschaft Phenolic resins. Frankfurt a.M. Badische Anilin-and Soda-Fabrik AG Polyethylene, aminos, polyesters, polystyrene, Ludwigshafen a.Rh. polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylates, polymethacry- lates, polyamides. Bakelite GmbH Phenolic resins and molding powders, aminos. Letmathe 83 West Germany: Producers of Synthetic Resins and Plastics Materials— Con. Company and address Commodities Dr. Beck and Co. GmbH Phenolic, alkyd, melamine, urea, polyester and Hamburg terephthalic acid restns. J. P. Bemberg AG Cellophane. Wuppertal -Barmen Bisterfeld and Stolting Phenolic resins and molding compounds, aminos. Neuenherweg lib. Wipperf iirth Bisterfeld and Stolting Phenolic resins. Hamburg Robert Bosch GmbH Phenolic resins. Stuttgart Cassella Farbwerke Mainkur AG Aminos. Frankfurt a.M. Celluloidfabrik Speyer Franz Kirrmeyer GmbH Cellulose acetate and nitrate. Speyer am Rhein Chemische Werke Albert Phenolic resins and molding compounds, aminos, Wiesbaden -Biebrich alkyds. Chemische Werke Hiils AG Polyesters, polyamides, polyvinyl chloride, poly- Marl/Krs. Recklinghausen styrene. Chemische Werke Worms-Weinsheim GmbH Phenolic and other synthetic resins. Worms -Weinsheim Correcta -Werke GmbH Polyurethane. Bad Wildungen i. Hessen Dielektra AG Phenolic resins. Porz/Rhein Dynamit-A.G. vormals Alfred Nobel and Co Phenolic resins and molding compounds, aminos, Troisdorf cellulose acetate, vulcanized fibers, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene. Aug. Elhardt Soehne KG Cellulose nitrate. Durach/Allg. Elektro-Isolier -Industrie Wahn Phenolic resins. Wahn/Rhld. Europlastic Pahl and Pahl KG Polyurethane foam. Duesseldorf Farbenfabriken Bayer AG Polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes, silicones, Leverkusen alkyds, cellulose acetate. Farbwerke Hoechst AG Polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, Frankfurt a.M. polyvinyl acetals, polyvinyl alcohol. Ferrozell-Gesellschaft, Sachs and Co. Phenolic resins. Augsburg Gesellschaft fuer Teerverwertung mbH Phenolic resins and molding compounds, cresolic Duisburg resins. Gewerkschaft Philippine Polyurethane foams. Dortmund Th. Goldschmidt AG Silicones. Essen A. Hagedorn and Co. AG Cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate. Osnabruck Hannoversche Kunsthorn KG Busche and Co Cellulose nitrate. Hannover Hendricks and Sommer oHG Alkyd, epoxy, maleic and phenolic resins. Holzheim b. Neuss Henkel and Cie. GmbH Aminos, cellulose ether. Dusseldorf Dr. Kurt Herberts and Co Polyesters. Wuppertal Isola-Werke AG Phenolic resins. Du'ren Idealith-Werk, Josef M. Bolkart Cellulose nitrate. Niirnberg 84 West Germany: Producers of Synthetic Resins and Plastics Materials— Con. Company and address Commodities Internationale Galalithgesellschaft AG Phenolic resins and molding compounds, aminos, Hamburg cellulose nitrate. Kalle and Co. AG Cellophane, cellulose ether. Wiesbaden Kohle-Oel-Chemie GmbH. Polyethylene. near Graf Bismark Mines, Galsenkirchen Lonza-Werke GmbH Cellulose acetate. Weil/Rhein Robert Kraemer Phenolic, maleic, alkyd and zinc resins for paints, Bremen varnishes, and printing inks. Maschinen- und Apparatebau GmbH Phenolic molding compounds. Homburg a.d. Saar Molan-Werk Kunststoff-Fabrik GmbH Polyurethane in blocks. Bremen New York Hamburger Gummi-Waaren Compagnie... Phenolic resins and molding compounds, aminos, Hamburg melamine molding compounds. Plastilex-Kunststoffchemie, Eduard Daniel Regenerated granulated polyethylene. Wuppertal Phrix-Werke AG Cellophane. Hamburg Dr. F. Raschig GmbH Phenolic resin and molding compounds. Ludwigshafen a.Rh. Reichhold Chemie AG Aminos, polyesters, alkyds, phenolics. Hamburg Resart-Gesellschaft, Kalkhof and Rose Phenolic resins and molding compounds, acrylic resins. Rheinische Gummi- und Celluloid- Fabrik Cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate, polystyrene. Mannheim Rheinische Olefinwerke GmbH Polyethylene. Wesseling Roehm and Haas GmbH Acrylic resins, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates. Darmstadt H. Roemmier GmbH Phenolic resins, aminos. Gross -Umstadt Sichel-Werke AG Alkyds, cellulose ether. Hannover Siemens -Schuckert-Werke AG Phenolic resins. Erlangen Su'ddeutsche Kalkstickstoff-Werke AG Aminos. Trostberg Sued-West-Chemie GmbH Phenolic resins and molding compounds, aminos. Neu-Ulm/Donau Siiedwestdeutsches Kunstharz-Werk Phenolic resins and molding compounds. Frankfurt a.M. Vereinigte Isolatorenwerke AG... Phenol cold molding compounds, polyester resins, Berlin bitumen molding compounds. Vulkanfiberfabrik Grashorn and Co Vulcanized fiber. Wildeshausen Vulkanfiber -Fabrik Ernst Kru'ger and Co. KG Vulcanized fiber. Geldern Wrede and Strehlau Phenolic resins. Hanover Wasag-Chemie AG Cellulose nitrate. Essen "Wehalith" Heinrich Wenigmann Cellulose nitrate. Haan Albert Wendt AG .„ Cellulose nitrate. Ergolding 85 West Germany: Producers of Synthetic Resins and Plastics Materials— Con. Company and address Commodities Westdeutsche Celluloidwerke GmbH Cellulose nitrate. Lank am Niederrhein Wacker-Chemie GmbH Silicones, cellulose acetate, polyvinyl chloride, Mlinchen polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl acetals, polyvinyl alcohol. Wolff and Co. KGaA , Cellulose nitrate, cellophane, cellulose ether. Walsrode Capacity Expansions and Developments West Germany has been active in cross licens- ing in the field of plastics, particularly poly de- fines and polyurethanes, with European and Amer- ican companies. POLYETHYLENE BADISCHE ANILIN AND SODAFABRIK AG, Lud- wigshaven, and DEUTSCHE SHELL AG, Hamburg: Expansion of high-pressure polyethylene (Lupolen H) capacity at jointly held Rheinische Olefinwerke GmbH plant at Wesseling, with capital outlay of DM 140 million, contemplated increase from 10,000-ton 1956 annual level to 30,000-35,000 tons by end of 1958. BADISCHE ANILIN, in addition to its Ludwigshaven (5,000 tons a year for some years) and Wesseling facilities for Lupolen H, in 1956 acquired exclusive rights for Germany for production of low-pressure polyethylene and other polyolefines by the Phillips low-pressure process, a development of Phillips Petroleum Co., Bartlesville, Oklahoma. RHEINISCHE OLEFINWERKE: Ethylene re- quirements are met from refinery gases gener- ated at Union Rheinische Braunkohlen Kraftstoff AG., at Wesseling, a refinery for Deutsche Shell AG. crude petroleum. Enlarged requirements to be met by a new plant at Wesseling which will be designed to use a light gasoline base. Most of this ethylene, which will be processed to Lupolen H, may be the base for production of additional ethylene polymers. Marketing of Rheinische Ole- finwerke products, including ethyl benzene, is carried out entirely through Badische Anilin and Sodafabrik AG. A board of directors will admin- ister the company's affairs, formerly under the direct administration of the parent companies, Shell and Badische Anilin. FARBWERKE HOECHST AG., FRANKFURT/M: In 1956 this company began production of low- pressure polyethylene by the Ziegler process, marketed under the trade name "Hostalen." Ca- pacity is expected to reach 24,000 tons annually. A new grade of Hostalen, called "GM 5010" re- portedly has mechanical properties which will make it suitable for water pipes in building con- struction. KOHLE-OEL-CHEMIE GmbH: Hoechst and Mannesmann AG, Duesseldorf pipe and steel pro- ducer, formed, with Duetsche Erdoel AG, a joint enterprise named Kohle-Oel-Chemie GmbH for the production of low-pressure polyethylene. The plant, due to have begun operations at the end of 1957 with a planned 1,000-ton monthly capacity, is located near the Graf Bismarck mines, Gelsen- kirchen. BERGWERKSGESELLSCHAFT HIBERNIA AG, HERNE (near Dortmund): A pilot plant at Zweckel in the fall of 1956 began the production of low- pressure polyethylene at the rate of 1,500 tons per year; full-scale production carried on at an installation at Gelsenkirchen-Buer. CHEMISCHE WERKE HUELSAS AG, MARL (near Recklinghausen): This company, which works closely with Bergwerksgesellschaft Hiber- nia, has a pilot plant production of low-pressure polyethylene at its Marl works at the rate of 50 tons per month, with unspecified capacity in- creases scheduled. RUHR-CHEMIE AG., Oberhausen: Undertook experimental work for polyethylene production, using ethylene produced in its own refinery. OTHER MATERIALS HIBERNIA: After extensive experimentation, began pilot plant production of polypropylene at the rate of about 100 kilos daily to provide ma- terial for further study of physical properties, possible new applications, and processing limita- tions. Raw material availability seems adequate. FARBENFABRIKEN BAYER AG., Leverkusen: Built a petroleum cracking plant at Dormagen which operates on the "fluid bed process" (Wirbel- bettverfahren), by which olefins are produced in high yield. This company developed at its Uer- dingen plant a new group of polycarbonate -base thermoplastic materials with melting tempera- tures of 150-300° C, which can withstand elevated temperatures for long periods without breaking down. ROEHM AND HAAS GMBH., Darmstadt: Dou- bled capacity for production of monomers at its Worms plant and expanded polymerization facil- ities at the home works at Darmstadt; also built a new plant for the production of injection and ex- trusion molding compounds sold under their trade name, Plexigum. DEUTSCHE TAFELGLAS AG., one of the two largest sheet glass producers in Germany, is to have acquired a production license for thermo- plastic film and plate from the Campco Division of the Chicago Molded Products Corp. BADISCHE ANION AND SODA- FABRIK AG, Ludwigshaven: Licensed the U. S. firm United Cork to produce its polystyrol foam plastic, Sty- ropor, a light-weight and highly porous material, useful for heat and sound insulation and as a sub- stitute for cork. BADISCHE ANILIN AND DEUTSCHE SHELL AG., Hamburg: To have constructed a plant for the production of petroleum-base "epicote" resins at an initial rate of 2,000 tons a year. RHEIN-PLASTIK-ROEHR GMBH., Mannheim: This company, a joint undertaking of Rheinische Roehrenwerke AG. (Phoenix-Rheinrohr), Muel- heim/R., and Wasag Chemie AG., Essen, seems to have overcome early technical difficulties in the production of polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and other plastic pipes. The emergence of plas- tics as a pipe material is illustrated by the inclu- sion of pipe in plastics production figures for the first time during 1956, when 1,194 tons valued at DM 9,758,000 was produced, according to Statis- tisches Bundesamt, Weisbaden. DAREX GMBH: In 1956 put into production in Germany polyvinyl chloride-base plastic film for food packaging. This company, a subsidiary of the Dewey and Almy Chemical Co., Cambridge, Mass., will supply the Scandinavian as well as the German market with its product, sold under the name of Cyrovac. The Darex plant at Fried- richsgabe (Schleswig-Holstein) represents an in- vestment estimated at 2.4 million DM. Plastics Processing Machinery Machines constructed before 1946, plus imports and machines constructed in the processors' own plants, comprise an estimated total of 3,860 in- jection molding machines in service at the end of 1955. The following machines were delivered by the German machinery industry in 1946-55: Up to 100 grams 133 139 243 412 546 523 571 Over 100 grams Total 1 70 10 143 40 179 60 303 83 495 145 691 132 655 160 731 GREECE (Reprinted from CHEMICAL AND RUBBER INDUSTRY REPORT, November 1957) There are 4 producers of plastics materials in Athens. Casein, used for manufacturing sheets, is produced occasionally by 1 milk- processing plant; 2 other firms specialize in making casein sheets from imported powdered casein. Phenol- formaldehyde and urea-formaldehyde molding powders are produced by 1 concern, which also makes polyvinyl- chloride molding and extrusion materials, pastes, and colors, all from imported raw materials. In addition to molding materials, the firm manufactures paints, lacquers, varnishes, solvents, alcohols, and metallic soaps. Certain raw materials— lignite, limestone, oil cake, cotton linters, etc., — are available. A new oil refinery, with an annual capacity of 1.3 mil- lion tons and scheduled for completion by the end of 1957, will be a source of petroleum byproducts. A nitrogenous- fertilizer plant with an annual pro- duction capacity of 70,000 tons is to be established in the Ptolemais lignitiferous area and certain of its byproducts could be used by the plastics- materials industry. Development of a plastics -materials manufac- turing industry to process either domestic raw materials or imported semi-processed materials would involve a sizable capital investment which the Greek market does not warrant at present. The trend of materials consumption indicates the mold- ing industry is steadily expanding and domestic production of plastics materials would probably encourage its growth. Greece does not export plastics materials. The possibility of exporting them depends on the ability of prospective manufacturers to compete in world markets. Greek law 2861 of June 1954 provides certain ways to lower production costs by a refund of import duties and taxes paid on imported raw materials and fuels used in the manufacture of ex- ported products, a refund of the 6-percent tax on payrolls, and other concessions to render Greek industrial products competitive in world markets. A later law, 3213 of 1955, provides exemption from import duties, taxes on machinery and parts, and the 6-percent tax on payrolls, as well as a reduc- tion in sales tax and special insurance contribu- tions, all of which are designed to encourage in- dustries outside the capital area. Greece has more than 80 plastics firms; 7 are large, 12 medium-size, and the remainder small workshops in the Athens area. Only a few small firms have been established in Salonika and Patras. Prior to World War II, plastics molders were small industries and workshops produced a limited number of items. Under the Marshall Plan, 5 firms obtained loans to expand their plants and during 1949-52 the largest molders became significant industrial enterprises. In 1953, devaluation of the drachma caused temporary difficulties for firms which had borrowed dollar funds. However, si- multaneous liberalization of imports permitted them to import plastics materials without restric- tions. Consumption statistics are not available, but it is estimated that in 1955 43 percent of the mate- rials used was polystyrene, 23 percent vinyl resins, 2 percent polyethylene, 12 percent phenolics, 7 percent ureas, 9 percent casein, and 4 percent cellulose acetate. The United States maintained a strong position as a supplier of plastics materials to Greece during 1954, 1955, and 11 months of 1956. However, it is closely followed by West Germany. Italy has made considerable progress in increasing sales to Greece and in 1956 was in third place, displacing the United Kingdom. Polystyrene is furnished chiefly by the United States, followed by Italy, Germany, and Great Britain. Polyvinyl chloride is supplied by Germany and polyethylene by the United States and Great Britain. Phenol- formalde- hyde is imported in small quantities from several countries, including Italy and Israel. Urea- formaldehyde is furnished chiefly by Great Britain, casein by France, and cellulose acetate by Italy and Great Britain. Plastics firms have shown interest in cooperat- ing with American companies in manufacturing plastics materials in Greece. One firm has inter- ested a large American chemical concern which sent a representative to Greece to discuss plans for such cooperation. Another firm plans to co- operate with an American company in manufac- turing plastics materials when a satisfactory minimum volume of consumption can be assured to the investing firm. Only one American firm in Greece operates a plastics factory. To encourage the inflow of foreign capital, the Greek Government enacted legislative decree 2687 of 1953, granting certain privileges to imports of foreign capital in cash, machinery and materials, patents, technical processes, and trademarks. No marketing agreements or exchange of techni- cal information reportedly exist between Greek and foreign firms. There are no special government decrees and regulations affecting production, labor conditions, consumption, and domestic trade. Im- port regulations include plastics materials among the commodities which may be imported against payment of their value either by letter of credit, cash against shipping documents presented in Greece, or by 6 months' drafts calculated from the date of issuance by a bank in Greece of the customs' clearance permit. The plastics-products industry is not hampered by lack of machinery. According to manufacturers, there are still margins in production capacity for further expansion. Table 75.— Greek Imports of Plastics Materials, 1954-56 [Quantity in kilograms; value in drachma (30 drachmas = US$l )] 1951 1955 1956 (Jan. -Nov.) Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value United States 319,673 27,001 76,372 312 7,112 321,297 8,391,111 296,117 1,511,198 18,907 102,961 5,117,002 168,708 31,522 10,985 193 1,686 568,236 15,000 1,271 267,715 23,923 10,938,693 396,838 223,977 28,256 98,633 9,121,375 221,396 11,509 5,966,982 158,631 630,873 38,357 31,691 6 6,198 561,958 13,766,212 Canada 690,969 East Germany Israel 30,101 103,288 16,661 159,383 27,725 1 1 , 576 5,618 1,363 222,109 98,383 5,595 3,513,817 155,535 185,523 131,119 120,012 5,151,666 1,163,587 161,051 Netherlands 729,631 Sweden 22,011 1,336 372,071 69,551 333,965 311,637 7,315,921 1,071,963 28,701 627 271,011 152 569 United Kingdom 5,728,228 59 Total 1,313,819 26,962,572 1,863,517 36,901,779 2,056,113 10,196,981 Imported materials in 1955-56 for the manufac- ture of casein, molding powders, etc., according to official Greek statistics, were (kilograms): Phenol 2,600 2,000 Formaldehyde 8,000 14,000 1955 1956 Urea 4,500 6,000 Hexamethylenetetramine 1,000 Wood -flour.......... 2,000 3,000 Polyvinyl chloride resins 4,000 3,000 Dioctyl and dibutyl phthalate 2,500 2,000 Phthalic anhydride 1,000 3,000 1955 1956 Maleic anhydride 500 Acrylic resins 1,000 1,500 Pentaerythritol 500 Total 27,600 34,500 Greece: Producers of Plastics Materials in Athens "E.V.G.A." Hellenic Milk Industries Iora Odos, Votanikos Harissiadis and Ar. Coundouris 124 Kifissias Street Navroidis, Giakoumakos, Pantazopoulos Tris Gefires, Peristori "Vechro," S.A. 2 Gladstonos Street ITALY Italy has a population of 48 million people with an average per capita income of $ 324 and a gross national product of about $21 billion. It ranked third among plastics materials producers in Europe during 1955, and accounted for 3 percent of world production. During the period 1950-56, an- nual consumption of plastics materials increased from 13,000 metric tons to 101,090 tons. The Italian plastics industry is well established. There are some 20 important producers of plastics and resin materials and about 1,250 molders, ex- truders, calenders^ coaters, vacuum formers, and other processors of plastics goods in the country. A large variety of resins and materials is pro- duced as well as plastic consumer goods of many types and patterns. Consequently varied process- ing methods are in use and tooling and equipment costs are higher than they normally would be on long runs of fewer items. An important contribution to consumer education in the use of plastics is afforded every year in seven commercial and industrial exhibits: the im- portant international fairs in Milan, Bari, Palermo, Verona, Cagliari, and Padova, and the National Show of Technical Progress in Torino. Progress and processes of production and applications of plastics materials are covered in monthly trade magazines. A private institute, Institute Italiano dei Plastici, recently created to educate the public and promote progress in quality and methods of plastics production, will publish a bulletin, organ- ize meetings, lectures, and conferences, and con- fer its "quality mark" on approved consumer items. Plastics materials in Italy have about the same uses as in other countries and a large variety of assorted plastics products of high quality and de- sign is being developed. The more common appli- cations of these materials are briefly as follows: Cellulosics are used for the manufacture of combs, spectacle frames, toothbrushes, motorcar fittings, etc. Consumption of cellulose nitrate and cellulose acetate has been steady in spite of use of other thermoplastics for some applications and competition from imports of scrap materials. Phenolic molding powders are employed for standard articles manufactured in most other countries, but some molders in Italy have special- ized types of production of electronic parts, elec- tric equipment, bathroom seats, and cupboards, primarily for export. Consumption of these mold- ing powders increased from 7,000 tons in 1954 to some 8,000 tons in 1955. Phenolic industrial resins are used in bonding and adhesives for ply- wood, structural boards, impregnated papers, and laminates and as bonding agents for abrasive wheels. In the production of plywood, pherrolics have been largely replaced by urea and melamine resins. Urea resins are widely used as adhesives for wood, especially for plywood and wood-waste panels. There are special types for paper treat- ment and for protective coatings. There is a large consumption of urea molding powder in bright- colored items, which have great appeal to the public; the button industry is flourishing and has big export trade. Melamine molding powder is used principally for the manufacture of dinner- ware and for decorative laminates. Closures, electrical appliances, and radio cabinets are also manufactured from amino resins. Styrene monomer and styrene polymers are produced in Italy and are widely employed in the manufacture of kitchen items, refrigerator parts, instrument panels, battery cases, radio and tele- vision housings, containers, etc. High-impact styrenes, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers, and specialties are produced. Besides the usual methods of producing and finishing polystyrene articles, the technique of high-vacuum metalliza- tion has been developed by an important firm. Two companies manufacture extruded oriented sheets of high- impact styrene in a large assortment of colors and gages suitable for vacuum-forming. Polyesters are used for reinforced corrugated roofing sheets, motorcar ports, boats, fishing rods, chairs, trays, boxes, etc. Practically everything that has been made elsewhere with these materials is being made in Italy. Glass- reinforced polyesters and paper-polyesters have found uses, even in small Italian handicraft workshops. Production of polyesters of the urethane type has also been started. Between 1953 and 1955 polyethylene consumption rose considerably each year. During 1955, films consumed 42 percent of production; injection molded articles 48 percent; cables, wire, and ex- truded articles 3 percent; and miscellaneous items 7 percent. Polyethylene -made articles have in many gases replaced those formerly made with polystyrene. Vinyl resins are employed in the manufacture of Table 76.— Product ii of Plastics Materials [ In 1,000 metric tons] i the World, 1950-55 Country 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1,030 135 108 30 27 13 165 1,160 160 170 35 to 17 218 1,100 150 191 45 35 25 255 1,270 216 241 60 52 51 252 1,281 278 326 70 84 76 286 East Germany 80 Total 1,508 1,800 1,801 2,142 2,401 2,907 Table 77.— Italy: Production of Plastics Materials 1 Cellulose acetate.. Mold ing powder. . Cellulose nitrate.. Unmodi f ied. . . . Modified...... Mold ing powdei Glyceryl-phthalate r Unmod i f ied Modified Unmodi f ied. . Modified Polyamide resins (nylon) Casein plastics Other polycondensation resins.. Polyethylene and polyisobutylei Vinyl and vinyl-copolymer resir Acrylic and methacrylic resins. Polystyrene resins Other molding powders Other 134.0 900.7 1,032.6 542.9 7,653.6 I ,419.6 8,374.2 860.0 3,500.3 9.0 310.2 2,151.0 553.9 139.0 1,686.9 8,849.1 138.4 5,279.4 1,911.6 165.6 228.4 1,190.0 1,072.0 790.4 5,943.0 51,107.0 280.6 9,571.0 1,388.0 235.0 652.6 expressed in dry weight. ilian Central Institute of Statistic such things as garment bags, raincoats, shower curtains, upholstery, draperies, garden hose, wire coverings, phonograph records, and floor and wall covering. Consumption in 1955 was principally for the production of approximately 3,500 tons of elec- trical appliances, 3,500 tons of rigid articles, 1,500 tons of coated items, 4,500 tons of calendered materials, 1,500 tons of extruded and injection-or compression-molded articles, and 1,000 tons of miscellaneous articles. Polyamide (nylon) molding powders are em- ployed for the manufacture of an assortment of articles such as gears, slide fasteners, tumblers, brush bristles, fishing lines, faucet washers, and synthetic fibers. Methyl-methacrylate semifinished products, such as sheets, blocks, rods, and tubes, are manufac- tured in Italy, as well as finished articles such as light lenses, dentures, brush backs, combs, salad bowls, costume jewelry, airplane windows, and other transparent objects. Methyl-methacrylate molding powders are imported, but a large manu- facturer expects soon to produce them on a scale sufficient to meet domestic requirements. Resins produced in Italy recently include poly- tetrafluoroethylene, ion exchange, and epoxy resins. Plastic products are not subject to special legis- lation, only to general regulations governing the chemical and other industries. Thus private ini- tiative in the plastics field is unhampered by gov- ernment regulation. Imports and exports of plastics are subject to customs duties ranging from 10 to 30 percent (schedules internationally agreed to in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)). Li- censes for import from the United States, required as a means of protecting the Italian dollar re- serves, are freely allowed for plastics materials because they result in a greater value for exports of finished products. In 1955 West Germany supplied about 33 percent of imports, United Kingdom 29 percent, United States 19 percent, Switzerland 5 percent, and Can- ada 4 percent. The United States was the largest market for Italian exports, taking about 45 per- cent, followed by West Germany 11 percent, United Kingdom 5 percent, and France 5 percent. Imports of plastics materials supplied by the United States in 1955 amounted to 2,705 tons valued at $2,200,000. In 1954 imports amounted to 2,000 tons valued at $1,690,000. During 1955 Italian ex- ports of materials to the United States amounted to 13,380 tons valued at $6,700,000, almost three times greater than the 4,650 tons valued at $2,580 f - 000 exported in 1954. A few plastics materials are produced in Italy under foreign license and some five companies are reported as partially or fully owned by United States capital. Their activity in the plastics field is said to be small in comparison with the Italian plastics industry as a whole.. Italy has been energetic in the development of new plastics materials, particularly polyolefines, and has entered into licensing agreements on these materials with European and American com- panies. Generally, plastics materials and products go into the trade through agents, jobbers, distribu- tors, and stores. Only rarely, when very large quantities are involved, do manufacturers sell direct to consumers. Consumption of plastics materials within pro- ducing establishments, compared with the amount sold to manufacturers, is almost negligible. Pro- duction is absorbed almost entirely by domestic processors and by exports. In transactions among manufacturers, proces- sors, and dealers, long payment terms are gener- ally granted. Exchange of instruments of credit and documentary bills are common. A few large producers do some advertising of their own ma- terials and include products of their customers. Trade between U. S. exporters and Italian con- suming industries can be handled either by direct sales or through exclusive representatives. The latter method would probably be preferable to overcome the differences in term of payment (long credit terms); but representatives who are both competent and strong enough financially to accommodate these differences are few. Agreements for the exchange of technical infor- mation are private and similar to agreements generally existing between chemical industries of different countries. New applications of plastics and developments in the United States and other countries are closely followed by Italian manufacturers; co- operation in some specialized processes for newly developed plastics materials would be wel- comed. More readily available means of com- mercial financing would probably increase trade both ways, and private dollar investment, bringing with it management and marketing as well as technical know-how, would stimulate the industry. Italian plastics materials and finished articles are generally quoted at lower prices than those manufactured in the United States, but because the Italian public is not fully aware of the size and quality of the domestic industry, buyers frequently favor products from abroad. This tendency will no doubt lessen because of efforts now being made to educate the trade. The production of plastic processing machinery including compression, injection and extrusion molding machines, calenders and dies is well de- veloped in Italy. Nearly a third of these machines are exported to many countries including the United States. Generally they compete success- fully on quality and price with machines produced in other countries. Table 78 — Estimated Consumpt ion of [Metrit Plastics Materials in Ital tons] y, I95E -58 Type 1955 1956 1957 1958 Type 1955 1956 1957 1958 Styrene polymers 6,000 1,850 18,100 3,800 50 5,600 7,000 2,500 2t, 000 5,500 90 6,500 9,000 3,000 31,000 9,000 100 9, 000 12,000 1,000 40,000 12,000 150 12,000 Phenol ics 13,900 18,900 600 11,000 19,500 21,000 1,000 14,000 25,000 28, 000 1,300 18,000 Acrylics Aminos (melamine and urea) Vinyls Polyamide (nylons). 79, 800 101,090 133,100 179,150 Source: Italian Plastics Indu stry Asso Table 79. — Italy: Imports and Exports of Plastics and Resin Materials, 1954-55 [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 lire 1 ] Imports Exports Type 1954 1955 1954 1955 Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Cellulose acetate and derived ■aterials: Powder, granular, flake. without plasticizers 1,501.6 719,160 2,073.0 864,625 9.7 7,276 12.5 10,746 Sheets, plates 82.4 124,971 70.8 71,437 53.4 81,518 86.4 126,364 Rods, tubes 3.8 5,092 1.2 1,485 24.2 29,092 12.2 13,639 Molding powders 39.9 30,096 135.2 94,540 262.2 161,956 256.4 155,784 Scrap Other cellulose esters, ethers 376.4 51,693 523.7 76,838 7.7 1,506 and derivatives: Powder, granular, flakes, without plasticizers 303.1 182,503 420.8 258,252 27.2 11,215 37.0 13,500 Sheets, plates 191.2 57,080 188. 1 44,189 0.8 1,877 2.8 2,071 Rods, tubes 2.4 2,784 6.0 4,707 3.8 3,079 0.3 262 Molding powder 0.3 331 37.6 76.2 5,838 19.0 Cellulose nitrate: Sheets, plates 21.5 32,343 25.0 35,895 215.7 323,681 254.0 380,949 Rods, tubes 1.2 1,740 1.8 3,003 42.4 90,448 46.0 75,230 17.6 4,292 22.4 6,408 83.3 15,476 0.2 425 Regenerated cellulose sheet and scrap 332.3 156,372 678.0 326,590 962.7 633,454 1,154.8 716,694 Protein base plastics, masses and miscellaneous shapes including scrap 34.2 25,708 39.0 18,714 41.0 31,833 39.5 32,351 Phenol (and homologues) polycondensat ion products, unmodified and modified with natural resins, oil, etc. ... 350.0 241,710 437.8 263,789 34.0 15,694 218.6 83,917 Nitrogen polycondensat ion (amines and amides with aldehydes): Modified, insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents 82.6 53,690 90.1 24,259 4.1 1,390 5.6 7,303 Hot modified, not polymerized, in powder, in water emulsions and other 1,842.6 574,713 2,775.8 805,053 283.9 90,957 414.9 128,444 Polymerized in bulk, sheets plates, rods, tubes 108.1 121,023 556.5 410,678 79.7 84,334 7.8 8,866 Products from condensation and polycondensation of polyacids with polyalcohols: Modified with additional oils and fatty acids 120.0 61,095 245.9 129,373 2.3 848 II. 16,063 Modified with natural or 92.8 56.4 33,255 30,395 104.4 106.2 40,604 68,465 2.2 1.5 1 ,161 1,568 41.7 5.0 10,564 Other 4,180 Linear products from polycondensation (polyamides) 120.2 171,174 67.9 89,037 0.7 3,869 1.6 4,605 Other plastics from conden- sation and polymerization.... 104.1 153,295 231.4 264,076 1.2 1,844 0.6 1,164 Thermoplastics from poly- Blocks or powder without 1 ,523.9 709,787 2,142.7 972,428 9,863.6 3,894,355 19,006.5 6,354,809 Rods, tubes, shapes, sheets 622.9 684,394 900.5 921,882 329.5 281,626 816.4 728,969 213.3 422.8 129,941 117,135 504.7 566.3 294,900 93,142 6,989.7 75.4 2,436,067 8,942 7,161.0 91. 1 2,484,570 Scrap 20,331 Table 79. — Italy: Imports and Exports of Plastics and Resin Materials, [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 lire 1 ] Imports Exports Type 1954 1955 1954 1955 Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Other artificial plastics materials and resins, not elsewhere specified: Natural resins modified 17.4 76.5 235.4 759.4 6,021 20,843 41,343 259,603 77.4 48.5 340.1 947.2 25,920 14,960 57,315 371,584 2.1 1.7 0.1 33.0 805 797 88 18,737 3.0 0.9 1.9 61.9 1,352 Natural resins esterified Coumarone resins Other 60,081 9,738.5 4,809,420 14,385.0 6,654,148 19,431.1 8,233,987 29,759.3 i equals $.0016. Italian Central Institute of Statis Italy: Principal Producers of Synthetic Resins Company name and address 1 Azienda ACNA Vinyls and copolymers. Via F. Turati 18, Milano Azienda ALCREA Phenolics, acrylics, alkyd. Via Rubens 19, Milano Industria Chimica CIBA Phenolics; urea, melamine, epoxy. Viale Premuda 25, Milano Societa DISTILLERIE ITALIANE Plasticizers, solvents, nitrocellulose. Via Chiaravalle 9, Milano Industrie Chimiche LERI Phenolics, urea, polyesters. Via F. Turati 27, Milano Societa' MONTECATINI* Phenolics, urea, melamine, styrene, acrylics, Via F. Turati 18, Milano vinyls and copolymers, vinyl acetals, polyethyl- ene, fluoro-ethylene, cellulose nitrate, poly- esters, polyamides, ion exchange resins. Industrie Chimiche POLYMER* Vinyls and copolymers, vinyl acetate, vinyl Via F. Turati 18, Milano alcohol, cellulose acetate. Societa' RHODIATOCE* Vinyl acetate, vinyl alcohol, cellulose acetate, Piazza Rugabella 15, Milano polyamides. Societa' STAMPALIA*, Urea. Via F. Turati 18, Milano Societa' MONTI & MARTINI Phenolics, urea. Via Comelico 41, Milano Fabbrica PASQUETTI CARLO Cellulose acetate. Via Sanvito Silvestro 103, Varese Societa' PLAMO Polyamide resins. Corso Matteotti 14, Milano Societa' RESIA Phenolics, urea, vinyl acetate, alkyd, polyesters. Casoria (Napoli) ♦Companies associated with Montecatini. 1 The addresses given are those of the main offices; in most cases the plants are in other locations of the country. Italy: Principal Producers of Synthetic Resins — Con. Company name and address 1 Commodities Industria Chimica SADAF Urea. Via della Spiga 28-30, Milano Societa' SAINT GOBAIN CHAUNY & CIREY Silicones. Via Moise' Loira 50, Milano Societa' S.I.C. MAZZUCCHELLI Styrene, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate. Castiglione Olona (Varese) Societa' SICEDISON Vinyls and copolymers, vinyl acetate. Venezia Marghera Societa' S.I.R Phenolics, urea. Via Grazioli 33, Milano Societa' SOLVIC Vinyls and copolymers. Via F. Turati 13, Milano Societa' VETROCOKE Acrylics. Corso Vittorio Emanuele 8, Torino x The addresses given are those of the main offices; in most cases the plants are in other locati< NETHERLANDS The Netherlands plastics industry has made con- siderable progress since World War II, with pro- duction of plastics materials and products carried on at an increasing growth rate. However, lack of natural resources for obtaining raw materials for plastics manufacture has required relatively large imports of sheets, tubes, rods and powders, and other plastics materials to meet the consumption needs of the country. The manufacturers of plas- tics materials, numbering about 26 firms, with a labor force of around 5,000 (including those not directly engaged in productive processes), are somewhat dependent upon imported materials to augment domestic supplies. In 1955, total imports of plastics materials (blocks, strips, sheets, tubes, liquids, powders, etc.) amounted to 22,037 metric tons, valued at about $16 million (table 80), a fourfold increase since 1948. The suppliers were West Germany 33 percent, United Kingdom 26 percent, Belgium 21 percent, United States 10 percent, and the remain- ing 10 percent chiefly from Italy, Switzerland, Canada, Sweden, and France. Exports in 1955, 15,078 metric tons valued at approximately $11 million, went to United King- dom 12 percent, Belgium 10 percent, West Ger- many 6 percent, France 4 percent, Denmark 4 percent, Sweden 4 percent, and Switzerland 3 per- cent. The United States is only a minor purchaser of Dutch plastics materials. The estimated 26,000 ton production in 1955 of all types of plastics materials was about 18 per- cent greater than the 1954 tonnage. Domestic pro- duction is concentrated in the thermosetting resin field of the industry which accounts for 77 percent of total output. While production statistics of the various types of plastics materials are not re- leased separately, output includes urea, phenolic, polyester, coumarone-indene, epoxy, acrylic (sheets), vinyls, polyamide ("Akulon") resins, cel- lulose, and protein (casein) materials. The Netherlands State Mines, one of the coun- try's largest chemical producers, planned to com- mence production of polyethylene in 1957. The do- mestic industry may be expanded by production of polystyrene by a subsidiary of an American firm. Polyvinyl chloride capacity will also be expanded, although details are not available. The plastics processing industry is much larger than the materials branch since it has been able to base its activities on both domestic materials out- put and imports. Currently there are some 100 plants engaged in compression and injection mold- ing, extrusion, laminating, and other phases of the plastics products industry. A large sector of the Netherlands plastics industry is specialized in that each plant is primarily concerned with one stage of the manufacturing process or in the production of a single item. However, a small number of firms produce more than one article using several stages of manufacturing. For example, a firm in Eindhoven produces phenol -formaldehyde molding powder and polyester resins and also engages in compression and injection molding, laminating, and extrusion activities. The processing of thermosetting molding ma- terials, primarily phenol -formaldehyde and urea- formaldehyde, increased from 6,205 tons in 1954 to 8,900 tons in 1955. Processing of polyvinyl chloride material, primarily molding powders, sheets, tubes, rods and casting resins, increased from 1,710 tons in 1954 to 3,330 tons in 1955, Table 80. — Netherlands: Imports and Exports [ Quantity in metric tons; vali of Plastii 3 in 1,000 g and Resin Materials, 1955 Derivatives of cellulose and artificial plastic materi; with a basis of cellulose derivatives n.e.s. (celluloi cellulose acetate, viscose, etc.): In powder, clots, flakes, lamels, or small irregulai plates in noncoherent masses In blocks, slabs, tubes, rods, unworked, in rolls oi sheets, whether or not smooth or dulled but not pol ished: Celluloid Cellulose acetate, less than 0.75 millimeter in thickness in rolls or in sheets Other cellulose acetate Viscose, less than 0.75 millimeter in thickness i rolls or in sheets Sponge viscose Other viscose and other cellulose derivatives anc synthetic pi ast i cs Waste Artificial plastic materials with a basis of casein, gelatine or starch: In blocks, slabs, sheets, tubes or rods, simply groi not, irked.. Waste Artificial plastic materials with a basis of phenols, urea, phthalic acid, etc. (artificial resins), whether or not with incorporated paper or fabric and others n.e.s.: Liquid, lump, or powder: Chemical reaction products out of phenols with alde- hydes whether or not incorporated with other materials Urea aldehyde and melamine aldehyde synthetic Alkyd resins, whether or not modified Polyvinyl plastic materials Polyvinyl idene plastic materials Polyacrylic and methacrylic plastic materials Polystyrene Polyamides, polyureides and polyurethanes Polyethylene and polyhalogenatedethylene Chemically changed rubber Chemically changed drying oils n.e.s Chemically changed natural resins Other, including (silicones) in liquid, pieces In blocks, plates, tubes, bars, rolls, sheets unworked: Synthetic thermoplastic materials including chemical!) changed rubber of a thickness less than 0.75 milli- meter on rolls or in sheets: Polyvinyl plastic materials Polyvi ny I idene Polyacrylic and methacrylic plastic material Polystyrene Polyamides, polyureides and polyurethanes Chemically changed rubber Potyethylenes, polyhalogenatedethylenes Other thermoplastics Stratified plastic materials containing paper or f abr i cs Other: Synthetic plastics from phenols with aldehydes aldehyde and melamine aldehyde synthetic ( 3 ) ( 2 ) pla: Table 80.— Netherlands: Imports and Exports of Plastic and Resin Materials, 1955 — Con. antity in metric tons; value in 1,000 guilder 1 ] Other: Con. Polyvinyl synthetic plastics Polyvinyl idene synthetic plastics Polyacrylic and methacrylic synthetic | Polystyrene Polyamides, polyureides and polyurethar Chemically changed rubber Polyethylene and polyhalogenatedethy ler Other Waste Molding powder with a base of plastic material: Plastic materials from phenols with aldehyde: Urea aldehyde and melamine aldehyde synthetic Polyvinyl synthetic plastic Polyv inyl idene synthetic plastic Polyacrylic and methacrylic synthetic plastic Polystyrene Polyamides, polyureides and polyurethanes Polyethylenes and polyhalogenatedethylenes ■ . ■ Ce 1 1 u 1 ose der i vat i ves Other Coumarone res i ns Total ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ■ e.s . — Not elsewhere specified. One guilder equals US $0.2632. Less than 1 metric ton or 1,000 guilder Not available to avoid disclosing opera ions of indi ourc e: Monthly statistics of imports, xports.and t jal companies. (it, by commodity, December 1955, Central E while that of polyethylene rose from 550 to 910 tons. Production of lacquer resins, primarily alkyds and modified phenolics, increased from 13,060 tons in 1954 to 15,055 tons in 1955. In recent years, the Netherlands plastics in- dustry has produced a number of new products. Among the most interesting ones have been the following: (a) An outboard motor propeller has been made from a polyamide ("Akulon"). (b) The gates of the locks at Hansweert and Wemeldinge in the province of Zeeland were pro- vided with large bearings made of polyamide res- in. Former corrosion of the metal bearings and shafts through the action of salt water has been eliminated. This was preceded by the develop- ment of a process for producing polyamide tubing up to 650 millimeters in diameter. (c) A successful development in injected molded products is the Dubo locking ring, supplied in a wide range of standard measurements, and poly- amide driving belts, which work effectively at high speeds (55 meters per second) with excellent friction resistance. (d) Glass fiber reinforced polyester resins are used in the construction of small water craft. Cor- rugated roofing tiles of polyester glass fiber are also manufactured. One factory has completed a body for a motor scooter from the same material and Fokker Aircraft factories in Amsterdam are continually increasing their production of air- craft parts made from polyester materials. (e) Polyethylene packaging foil is manufactured by several firms and the use of the material for packaging purposes has been increased due to its ability to take indelible printing. (f) Baking lacquers made from epoxy resins are mainly used for covering small tubes and metal containers. (g) Polyvinyl chloride tubes are being extensively used for water sprinkling purposes in the hot- houses and truck gardening areas of the Nether- lands. The future of plastic materials and products in the Netherlands is bright and considerable further expansion is expected. Competition has forced many firms to initiate the production of new ma- terials and products, and particularly is this true of the manufacturers of finished plastic items who have had to adjust themselves to more modern production methods and a larger- scale use of plastics materials. Netherlands: Plastics Materials Producers PHENOL-FORMALDEHYDE POWDERS N. V. Avis, Westzaan. N. V. Corodex, Noorderduinweg, Zandvoort. N. V. Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken, Afd. Aanverwanted Bedrijven, Eindhoven. POLYESTER RESINS N. V. Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken, Afd. Aanverwanted Bedrijven, Eindhoven. N. V. Adriaan Honigs Kunstharsindustrie, Westzijde 245, Zaandam. Kunsthardfabriek "Synthese" N. V., Rijksstraat- weg 31, Saasenheim. N. V. Chemische Industrie Synres, Slachthuis- weg 30, Hoek van Holland. POLYMETHYLMETHACRYLATE SHEETS N. V. Magenta, Schieweg 14, Delft. Polyplastic, Coolsewarsstraat 2, Rotterdam. POLYVINYL CHLORIDE Shell Nederland N. V., Wassenaarseweg 80, Den Haag. LACQUER RESINS (phenolics, urea and alkyd resins) N.V. Chemische Industrie Synres, Slachthuisweg 30, Hoek van Holland. Kunstharsfabriek "Synthese" N. V., Rijksstraat- weg 31, Saasenheim. N. V. Kunstharsindustrie Scado, Ceintuurbaan 6, Zwolle. N. V. Adriaan Honigs Kunstharsindustrie, Westzijde 245, Zaandam. Shell Nederland N. V. , Wassenaarseweg 80, Den Haag. CASEIN FORMALDEHYDE (ARTIFICIAL HORN) Hollandsche Casolithwerken, achter de Hoven 116 bis, Leeuwarden. Internationale Kunsthoornindustrie, Rouwkooplaan 2, Voorschoten. VINYL ACETATE Electro, Zuur en Waterstoffabriek, Distelweg 90, Amsterdam. POLYAMEDE ("AKULON") Algemene Kunstzijde Unie N. V., Velperweg 76, Arnhem. ADHESIVES ON ARTIFICIAL RESIN BASIS N. V. Saba, Dinxperlo. N. V. Lijm-en Gelatinfabriek "Delft," Rotter - damseweg 270, Delft. Ver. Chemische Fabriek Ceta Bever, Grote Houtweg 152, Beverwijk. N. V. Inverpak, Keilerweg 26, Rotterdam. N. V. Kleestoffenfabriek Gebrs. Struyck, Hoorn- werk 43, Zutphen. N. V. Nationale Zetmeelindustrie, Veendam. G. Dikkers and Co. N. V., Industriestraat 15, Hengelo. Helmitin N. V. , Waalwijk. Chem. Industrie Akru, Westerstratt 93, Haarlem. Netherlands: Plastics Materials Producers-- Con. COUMARONE RESINS N. V. Teerunie, Uithoorn. EPOXY RESINS Shell Nederland N. V., Wassenaarseweg 80, Den Haig. POLYVINYL-ACETATE EMULSIONS N. V. Lijm-en Gelatinefabriek "Delft," Rotter - damseweg, Delft. N. V. Nationale Zetmeelindustrie, Veendam. N. V. Scholten's Chemische Fabrieken, Foxhol. N. V. Kunstharsfabriek Synthese, Sassenheim. POLYSTYRENE The Nederlandsche DowMaatschappij, Groothandelsgebow 45 Stationsplein, Rotterdam. (Production expected to start in the future.) Before World War II the Norwegian plastics industry included no more than 10 small com- panies employing about 100 workers. Since then the industry has expanded rapidly, and although it remains small in relation to Norwegian industry as a whole, the future appears quite promising. The manufacture of finished plastics products has developed at a greater pace than has the produc- tion of plastics materials. There are 7 leading producers of plastics ma- terials in Norway. Four companies produce urea, phenolics and alkyd resins, and adhesives and molding powders; one firm, hardened casein ma- terials; one firm, polyvinyl chloride; and another, cellulose acetate material. The only producer of polyvinyl chloride was established 6 years ago with an annual capacity of 1,000 metric tons, but this quantity has since been stepped up to 3,000 tons. The production of cellulose acetate was only recently started and no other type of thermoplastic materials is produced in the country. In 1953, total production of plastics materials amounted to 4,243 tons valued at 12,757,000 kroner (1 Norwegian kroner = approximately US $0.14). During 1954, output increased to 7,616 tons valued at 23,734,000 kroner. Statistics for 1955 are not available, but information provided by the Organi- zation for European Economic Cooperation states that production in 1955 increased 27 percent over 1954 with most of the increase in urea adhesives and alkyd resins. There are approximately 70 companies engaged entirely or partially in the manufacture of plastics. About 10 firms are engaged chiefly in supplying other factories with semimanufactured articles such as laminates, film, sheets, and coated ma- terials. Except for the 7 producers of plastics materials, most of the other firms manufacture a wide and diversified line of plastics articles, largely molded goods from thermosetting materi- There have been no unusual developments in the Norwegian plastics industry with respect to manufacturing techniques. The use of wood flour as one of the chief fillers in making molding powders was pioneered in Norway. Wood flour is produced in large quantities by several Norwegian firms. While the Norwegian plastics industry is in need of all kinds of plastics machinery, the government is reluctant to permit the spending of dollars, and consequently, manufacturers are unable to purchase as much machinery as they would like to from the United States. A gradual easing of import restrictions may in time permit such imports on a wider scale. Although the value of Norway's exports of plastics materials increased from 7,701,000 kroner in 1954 to 7,906,000 kroner in 1955, quantities shipped dropped from 2,726 to 2,478 metric tons. Imports of materials in 1954 amounting to 3,568 tons and valued at 19,693,000 kroner in- creased to 7,167 tons valued at 40,238,000 kroner in 1955. In recent years, imports of plastics materials from the U. S. have increased con- siderably, rising from 359 tons in 1954 to 1,141 Table 81.— Quantity and Value of Norway's Imports of Plastics Materials, 1954-55 Country Quant i ty (metric tons) Value (1,000 kroner) 1 I95i| 1955 1954 1955 Finland 54 5 461 346 25 13 39 151 2,092 19 359 2 56 827 1,268 3 191 149 26 340 3,045 370 90 2,141 2,185 Switzerland 144 West Germany 7,992 Belgium and Lux- 116 86 292 669 11,352 105 2,264 23 Denmark Netherlands United Kingdom.... 1,512 17,016 United States 6,713 3,568 7,167 19,693 40,238 rwegian kroner = US$0.14. Norwegian Central Bureau of Statistic Table 82. — Domestic and Foreign Sales of Norwegiar Produced Plastics Materials, by Type, 1951-55 Type 1954 1955 5,078 1,985 7,207 1,760 Total 7,063 i for European Economic Cooperatk tons in 1955. The U. S. supplied 10 percent of all imports in 1954 and nearly 16 percent in 1955. Customs duties on plastics materials of the kind which are manufactured in Norway are 12.5 percent ad valorem. Materials which are not manufactured in Norway can be imported duty free, but it is necessary to obtain an import license for such imports from the U. S. Licenses are granted only if the product is not obtainable at "easier" exchange rates elsewhere, or has a definite price advantage over similar items from other countries. There are no governmental decrees and regula- tions affecting the plastics industry in any way other than in connection with foreign trade. Table 83. — Quantity and Value of Norway's Exports of Plastics Materials, 1954-55 Country Quantity (metric tons) Value (1,000 kroner) 1 1954 1955 1954 1955 287 559 2 571 308 73 29 18 551 449 177 1, 126 278 30 1,803 12 629 1,182 246 66 36 1,985 Greece Sweden 384 5 West Germany Belgium and Lux- embourg Denmark 15 341 205 78 23 66 560 2 27 8 17 61 10 8 55 404 905 Netherlands 52 United Kingdom... 1,811 Iceland 30 22 Canada 60 59 United States.... 20 90 8 9 22 20 32 Hong Kong 35 219 2,726 2,478 7,701 7,906 ; Norwegian kroner = US$0.14. •ce: Norwegian Central Bureau of Statistic Norway: Leading Producers of Plastic Materials Producer Type of material Thermosetting: A/L Norsk Kunsthorn Casein. Norske Kunstharpikser A/S Urea resins and molding powders, phenol formaldehyde resins and molding powders, water-soluble phenol formaldehyde resins, alkyd resins. A/S Resin Phenol formaldehyde resins, urea formaldehyde resins, phenol formaldehyde molding powders, phenol formal- dehyde water-soluble resins. Norsk Pressmassefabrikk A/S Phenol formaldehyde molding powders, carbamide mold- ing powder. A/S Phenox Phenol molding powders. Thermoplastic: Heroya Elektrokjemiske Fabrikker A/S Polyvinyl chloride powders. A/S Borregaard Cellulose acetate. PORTUGAL The plastics industry in Portugal is small and in the early stages of development. Trade sources are optimistic over the potential market for the industry's products within the country and its overseas provinces. In 1954 consumption of plastics materials ap- proximated 708 metric tons (table 84), far great- er than the small annual domestic production (130 tons). About 80 percent of materials and resins consumed in 1954 by plastics processors was im- ported, primarily from Great Britain. Of the 4 producers of phenolic and casein plas- tics materials in Portugal, 2 produce phenol-for- maldehyde molding powder and 2 casein sheets and rods. One manufacturer of casein materials accounts for 100 percent of the production of rods and 75 percent of all sheets produced. The other supplies the remaining 25 percent of sheet output. In 1954 (latest data available) production of phe- nol-formaldehyde powder amounted to 71 tons and casein sheets and rods 59 tons. The 44 processors of plastics materials are lo- cated principally in Lisbon and Oporto. Not more than 12 or 15 firms are considered well-estab- lished. Domestic production of phenol-formalde- hyde materials is consumed in the manufacture of electrical switches, plugs, sockets, and outlets; casein sheets and rods are sold to small manufac- turers of sundry items such as buttons, combs, ornaments, and umbrella parts. As far as can be ascertained, no foreign capital is invested in the Portuguese plastics industry, nor are there any foreign branch factories in the country. Imports of plastics materials are controlled and are subject to licensing. To conserve dollar re- serves, import licenses are issued only when the imported item is not available at competitive prices or is not available at all. Plastics are gradually replacing certain items made of glass, porcelain, wood, and metal and the potential use is large. The employment of plas- Table 8M-. — Consumption of Plastics Materials in Portugal, 1954 [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 escudos— I escudo = approximately US$.035] Method of processing Material Compression Injection Extrusion Other Total Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Polystyrene 162 C 1 ) 76 1 2,440 3 1,357 32 292 7 6 1 7, 169 229 234 2 44 53 1,470 13 606 48 28 10 5 1,170 1,337 804 232 292 162 10 1 76 35 24 7 Vin Is u Cellulosic Polyethylene 1,579 840 806 Total 239 3,832 307 7,678 71 2,089 91 3,543 708 Source: Anuario Estatistic tics as a substitute for cork is not evident because of the important role that cork production plays in the Portuguese economy. No specific controls govern the manufacture of plastics products except electrical items. How- ever, it is reported that manufacturers are press- ing the government for the creation of a national plastics guild to regulate the entire industry. In 1955, 26 plastics molding machines were im- ported into Portugal; 23 were from Great Britain and 3 from Germany. In 1954, 22 machines were imported; Great Britain furnished 12, Germany 7, France 2, and Spain 1. Need for dollar exchange and higher prices have prevented the importation of United States machinery. Table 85.— Portuguese Imports of Phenolic Oeriv Quantity in metric tons; value in 1 ,000 e and Other Resinous Materials, I escudo=approx imately US$0.035 1 Country of origin 1952 1953 1954 1955 Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value United States 210 391 24 22 5,62S 9,738 463 507 36 573 67 5 908 12,826 1,349 98 10 20 812 84 16 26 3 33 438 18,842 1,571 361 615 53 196 663 25 127 1,122 202 63 30 53 17 5 3 2,864 24 , 1 00 4,346 1,336 636 2 3 18 (M 24 71 569 10 Netherlands 7 35 ( X ) 107 730 7 279 95 Canada 670 17,011 723 16,035 1,009 22,764 1,622 34,457 ine-half ton. Source: Comercio Externo, 1952-55. Table 86. — Portuguese Imports of Cellulosics, Acrylics, and Galalith, | 952-1 [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 escudos— I escudo=approx imatel y US$0,035] 1952 1953 1954 1955 Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value 46.4 .5 9.6 32.4 17.9 2,477 40 678 1,895 649 21 1.4 7.7 56.8 29.9 9,272 37 510 3,134 1,124 45.6 3.3 16.0 1 14.7 29.4 2,318 163 1,012 5,898 1 ,144 69.1 .2 37.3 141.2 26.7 106.8 5,739 306.2 14,077 209.0 10,535 274.5 Producers of phenol -formaldehyde powder are: Sociedade Industrial de Productos Electricos "SIPE," S.A.R.L. Carcavelos, Portugal. J. B. Corsino Lda., Rua Henrique Paiva Conceiro, Venda Nova, Amadora, Portugal. Producers of casein and galalith materials are: Sociedade Uniao de Industrials de Lacticinos, "SUII," Lda., Areal, S. Joao de Ver, Vila de Heira, Portugal. Colares Pinto, Itmaos, Car regal Ovar, Portugal. SPAIN (Reprinted from CHEMICAL AND RUBBER INDUSTRY REPORT, August 1957) About 20 companies in Spain produce plastics and resins. Output (mostly phenolics, urea resins, and polyvinyl chloride) amounted to. 6,454 metric tons in 1955. Estimated production in 1957 is 13,780 tons (55 percent polyvinyl chloride). Sev- eral producers plan to manufacture cellulose acetate, polyamides, polystyrene, and polyethylene, which are currently imported. Industry sources estimate the potential annual consumption of plastics materials, in terms of buying power and needs, at approximately 23,000 tons. Processing of plastics materials has developed considerably during the last decade. In 1956 there were about 1,000 establishments in the plas- tics-fabricating industry, with a capital invest- ment of $ 48 million and employing 20,000 workers. Half of the firms are small handicraft shops. The remainder range from small to medium size, with 13 considered large. Difficulties in obtaining import licenses for plastics materials from the United States prevail because of the shortage of dollar exchange. Im- ports from the United States amounted to 79,451 kilograms in 1955 and 88,068 kilograms in 1956. Imports and exports are subject to license by the Ministry of Commerce, which controls all foreign exchange. Criteria used in granting im- port licenses include trade agreement commit- ments, availability of foreign exchange, availabil- ity of similar products of domestic manufacture, and prices and terms offered by other countries. Commencing in 1957, a 5-percent "Use and Consumption Tax" was assessed against domes- tically produced plastics materials. Imported materials also are subject to this tax, assessment being handled by custom offices simultaneously with the imposition of regular customs duties. In addition, imported materials are subject to a so- called "Fondo de Retorno" surcharge of 25 per- cent. Several manufacturers hold patent rights grant- ed by foreign companies and technical information forms part of the collaboration programs involving production under such rights. The Plastics Department of the Patronato "Juan De La Cierva" de Investigacion Tecnica furnishes technical aid to domestic manufacturers upon request and also offers for sale patents which re- sult from research conducted in its laboratories. Spain is a relatively new producer of plastics materials. Output of some types has grown, whereas development of others has lagged. As industrialization continues, the manufacture of a wider range of materials is foreseen. [Metric tons] Polymethyl methacrylate.. Polyethylei Polyvinyl i Polyvinyl : Polyvinyl . Alkyds Melamine res Phenolic res Casein (gala Polyesters. ., Other plastic Total. ce: Revista de Plasticos 1956. Table 88.— Spain's Installed Plasti* Machinery 1955-57 [Number] Machines 1955 1956 1957 In'ection 1,268 752 235 6 10 1,420 805 325 7 30 Compression Va m-formina 2,271 2,587 sta de Plasticos 1957. Spain: Plastics Materials Producers Company and address Commodities Union Quimica Del Norte de Espana, S. A. (UNQUINESA). Apartado 502, Axpe-Erandio, Bilbao Phenolics, urea resins, alkyds. Industrialization program: Polyesters (contract of collaboration with St. Gobain, Paris, holders of patent rights granted by the American Cyanamid Co.) Polystyrene (contract of collaboration with BASF, Germany). Polyethylene (project to manufacture under Ziegler patent which has not yet been officially author- ized.) Anonima Industrial de Cauchos y Resinas (AICAR) .. Phenolics, urea resins. Sagrera 79-81, Barcelona Rutilita, S. A Phenolics, urea resins. Apartado 258, San Sebastian Plasticos del Bidasoa, S. A Galalith. Vera de Bidasoa (Navarra) Corlit, S. A Galalith. Plaza de la Union, 22, Barcelona Esnelith (Maria Teresa Yanci, Viuda de U. de Galalith. Segura). Calvo Sotelo 23, Legazpia (Guipuzcoa) 101 Spain: Plastics Materials Producers— Con. Company and address Commodities Resinas Sinteticas, S. A Polyesters (reported to hold patent rights of Factory at San Celoni (Barcelona); office in American firm), alkyds. Barcelona at Buenavista 15. Industrias Quimicas Reunidas (INQUIRESA) Alkyds. Paseo de Gracia 56, Barcelona Policloro, S. A Polyvinyl chloride. Barrio Epeleko, Hernani (Guipuzcoa) Etino-Quimica, S. A Polyvinyl chloride. Via Layetana 24, Barcelona Industrialization program: Polystyrene (reported to have contract of collab- oration with an American firm). Solvay and Cie Polyvinyl chloride. Mallorca 269, Barcelona (factory at Torrelavega, Santander) Compania Aragonesa de Industrias Quimicas, S.A ... Polyvinyl chloride. Paseo de Gracia 11, Barcelona Derivados Vinilicos, S. A. (DEVISA) Vinyl acetate, polyvinyl acetate. Guardo (Palencia) Union Espanola de Explosivos, S. A Cellulose nitrate. Paseo de la Castellana 20, Madrid Plexi, S. A Acrylics, monomers and polymers. Garcia de Paredes 82, Madrid Uniplex, S. L Acrylics, monomers and polymers. Industria 12, Valencia Fernando Rianb Goiri „ Acrylics, monomers and polymers. Astillero (Santander) Industrias Quimicas Textiles, S. A. (INQUITEX) Industrialization program: Andoain (Guipuzcoa) Polyamides (caprolactam) Industrias del Acetato de Celulosa, S. A. (INACSA).. Industrialization program: Paseo de Gracia 11, Barcelona Cellulose acetate (operates pilot plant and has obtained patent rights from Courtaulds, Ltd., England). Industrial Quimicas del Carbono, S. A Industrialization program: Julian Camarillo 43, Madrid Polyesters. Production The plastics industry in Sweden is compara- tively new, but its growth has probably been more rapid than that of any other industry in the coun- try. Output in 1939 amounted to barely 900 met- ric tons of phenolic materials worth 1.25 million Swedish kronor (1 Swedish krona equals US $0,193). In 1953, production had advanced to 20,000 tons valued at about 53 million kronor; in 1954, about 24,000 tons valued at about 60 mil- lion kronor, and in 1955, an estimated 31,000 tons (table 89). Acrylic plastics are manufactured by one com- pany, AB Bofors Nobelkrut, which produces a small amount of cast sheets. A larger share of its production is devoted to acrylic resin emul- sions and dispersions for use in paint, varnish, and textiles. Cellulose plastics based on esters, mixed es- ters, and ethers are not produced in Sweden, ex- cept for some water-soluble cellulose ethers and cellulose nitrate. During World War II and for some years thereafter a small amount of ethyl cellulose was produced. One company has a rather large output of cellulose nitrate for lac- quers. Cellulose ether production was estimated at about 2, 500 tons in 1955. Two companies, Svenska Cellulosa AB at Sundsvall and Uddeholms AB at Skoghall, manufacture carboxy-methylcellulose (CMC), and a third company, Mooch Domsj5 AB, Stockholm, makes ethyl hydroxyethylcellulose. Fluorocarbons, polyamides, and polyethylene are not produced in Sweden. Styrene plastics are manufactured by Svenska Chemaco AB, Kavlinge, a licensee of an Ameri- can company with which it has a technical coop- eration arrangement. Normal polystyrene, high- impact and modified types, and styrene emulsions are manufactured. The vinyl plastics industry is well estab- lished. Stockholms Superfosfat Fabriks AB (Fos- fatbolaget), Stockholm, has production facilities for about 7,000 tons of polyvinyl chloride annu- ally. Total output of amino plastics (dry basis) was estimated at 5,900 tons in 1955 and at 6,500 tons in 1956. These figures include resins for the paint and varnish industry, adhesives, molding powders, and laminating resins. Three com- panies manufacture melamine and urea resins for the paint and varnish industry; three make urea -resin adhesives; and three make urea and melamine molding powders for their own use. Some companies make all types. In 1955, production of phenolic resins (dry res- in content) was estimated at 3,550 tons and re- portedly increased to about 3,750 tons in 1956. Two companies manufacture their own resins for the treatment of rock wool, an important use for phenolics. Several companies make polyester resins for the reinforced plastics industry. No data on pro- duction, imports, or exports are available be- cause these resins are not classified separately, but consumption is about 500 tons annually, sup- plied mostly by domestic manufacturers. One company has a limited production of alkyd mold- ing compounds. Epoxy resins are not made in Sweden but some companies import these resins which are modified and used mainly in the paint and varnish industry. Epoxy -resin adhesives and potting compounds, which are imported, are find- ing increasing use. Eight companies in the vinyl-processing indus- try manufacture calendered film and sheeting; 10 companies are equipped for coating fabrics and paper with polyvinyl chloride (PVC); 4 firms man- ufacture flooring; and 2 companies process plas- tisols and organosols by dip -coating. About 25 concerns, including the cable industry, extrude PVC and other thermoplastics; one company ex- trudes rigid PVC. On the fabricating side, 10 companies which have specialized in corrosion - resistant equipment weld and fabricate rigid PVC. Fabricators of acrylic plastics and other rigid thermoplastic sheets and laminates comprise 30 to 40 firms, of which at least 12 are equipped with vacuum -forming machines. Several com- panies are equipped for high-frequency welding of polyvinyl chloride film and sheeting; a number of firms make heat -sealing polyethylene film, pri- marily for packaging. Compression molders, totaling about 150, range from very small firms with 1 or 2 presses to larger companies having several hundred. Injec- tion molders number 200 to 225. Despite great interest in reinforced plastics, only about a dozen companies have entered com- mercial production. One company manufactures various types of small boats of reinforced plas- tics and a car manufacturer is equipping a sports model intended for export, which has a body partly made of reinforced plastics. Another com- pany makes tanks of these materials for trans- porting gasoline, oils, and other liquids; and others manufacture radomes and parts for air- Table 89.— Sweden: Production of Plastics Materials, 1950, 1953-51 [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 kronor] Excluding explosives. Source: Industri (Sweden's official statistics). 1950 1953 1954 Type Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Phenolics: 1 ,460 5 1 ,094 591 829 970 2,926 9 2,665 831 1,077 2,969 2,304 1,522 2,299 1,363 1,295 3,497 665 339 3,241 942 86 1,091 1,125 228 5,019 2 3,494 3,596 1,675 3,841 7 8,543 1,196 920 8,978 4,364 416 4,624 4,937 1,165 3,221 1,769 2,662 1,556 1,651 10 5,071 679 367 4,263 1,334 70 Amino plastics: 2,353 6,166 1 1 462 1166 1116 Polyvinyl chloride Polystyrene 1,258 4,354 11,219 180 1,370 1,238 558 61 1 5,932 5,956 2,791 364 1,516 103 6 196 ' 1 1 , 906 36,287 20,002 52,777 24,272 59,808 craft, crash helmets, fishing rods, and various types of boxes and cases. Imports and Exports Because the only company making acrylic plas- tics absorbs most of its production in fabricating work, additional demand is covered by imports. In 1955 about 400 tons of acrylics were imported, Great Britain and West Germany supplying the largest amounts. No data on imports of fluorocarbons are avail- able. The 94 tons of nylon molding material im- ported in 1955 was about twice the 1954 total. Compared with 1,000 tons in 1954, imports of polyethylene molding powders were nearly 2,300 metric tons in 1955, mainly from Great Britain, United States, Canada, and West Germany. Imports of styrene materials totaled 660 tons inl954 and 1,087 tons in 1955, the main sources being United States, West Germany, Great Britain, and Canada; exports totaled 444 tons in 1955, slightly more than the 417 tons exported in 1954. Despite a large production of vinyls, some types have to be imported. Polyvinyl chloride, plasti- cized and unplasticized, imports totaled about 3,200 tons in 1955, Great Britain, West Germany, and Italy furnishing the major portion; exports, totaling approximately 1,114 tons, went mostly to Denmark, Czechoslovakia, and Norway. Imports of amino resin adhesives have con- tinued to decrease in recent years, amounting to about 500 tons in 1955; exports were about 130 tons. Imports of amino plastics molding powders were about 320 tons in 1955, the major suppliers being Great Britain and West Germany; exports increased from 864 tons in 1954 to 943 tons in 1955. Imports in 1955 of various types of phenolic res- ins, including modified, as well as paint and var- nish resins and various industrial resins, but ex- cluding molding powders, were about 440 tons, supplied mostly by West Germany, the Nether- lands and the United States. Exports amounted to Table 90.— Sweden: Imports and Exports of Plastics and Resin Materials, 1955 [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 kronor] Casein adhesives Urea and melamine resin adhesives not Other synthetic adhesives, not liquid. Other kinds of adhesives, not liquid.. Urea and melamine resin adhesives, liq Other synthetic adhesives, liquid Other kinds of adhesives, liquid Cellulose acetate, propionate and acet (not plasticized) Alkyds, modified Cellulose acetate molding powder Ethyl cellulose and cellulose acetate. Phenolic resins, also modified.. Phenolic molding powder Urea and melamine molding powders Polyamides, molding powder Polyethylene molding powder Styrene and plastic molding powder.... Polyvinyl chloride, | Other kinds of nonprc powder) finyl plastic sr 0.6 n - 0.6 urn Other similar plastics over 0.6 mm »e and cellulose acetate under 0.6 mm olyvinyl chloride film under 0.6 mm ler kinds of film and sheeting under 0.6 mm. . ni nates (thermosetting) Mnyl plastics Other plastics Total Sour Svenska Plast Foreningen Statistik Heddelander Table 91. — Sweden: Percentage of Total Imports and Exports, by Principal Country, 1955 West Germany. . Great Britain. United States. Italy Holland France Denmark Poland Brazil Czechoslovak! ; neg. — Negl igible, Source: Svenska t Foreningen Statis 170 tons. Imports of phenolic molding powder in- creased from 809 tons in 1954 to 1,733 tons in 1955 and exports dropped from 106 tons to 66. Marketing and Foreign Investment Plastics materials are usually sold by pro- ducers direct to consumers. Many manufacturers of plastics products have their own sales depart- ments and sell direct to retail outlets, and a rela- tively large proportion of plastics items is distrib- uted through wholesalers. The low Swedish cus- tom duties on plastics (10 percent ad valorem for nonprocessed materials and 15 percent ad valorem for manufactured products) makes it mandatory for the industry to keep production costs at a minimum in order to compete with foreign ex- porters . An important requirement is that plastics ma- terials suppliers provide service to their custo- mers. American exporters of materials to Swed- ish molders, laminators, fabricators, etc., should consider the advantages of operating through im- port merchants or exclusive representatives who can supply technical information and other serv- ices to their Swedish customers. American firms are advised not to appoint an exclusive agent for the whole of Scandinavia, but several, each representing one country or a region within the country. Foreign investments in the Swedish plastics in- dustry are limited. The viscose film manufac- turer, AB Celloplast, Norrkoping, is partly owned by British Cellophane, Ltd., United Kingdom, and La Cellophane, France, with which the company has a technical working agreement. Many Swedish companies have agreements with foreign firms, mainly American plastics manu- facturers, for the exchange of technical informa- tion. Two companies, licensees of Far ben - fabriken Bayer AG, Germany, manufacture poly- urethane foams. Plastics are replacing other materials, espe- cially for packaging purposes. AB Tetra Pak, a subsidiary company of AB Akerlund and Rausing, Lund, has developed a special tetrahedron -shaped package for milk and cream, which is made on special equipment from paper, coated on the in- side with polyethylene. This is expected to be one of the largest single outlets for polyethylene. Supplies of domestic materials for the manufac- ture of plastics are limited, and the country is a good market for such products. Technical assist- ance, prices, and service are decisive factors in the Swiss market for plastics. Much of the prog- ress of the Swedish industry is due to the activ- ities of Svenska Plast F5reningen (SPF), the Swed- ish Plastics Federation, established in 1946. The 270 members of the Federation not only manufac- ture finished and semifinished products, plastics materials, chemicals, and machinery and equip- ment for the plastics industry, but also are Swed- ish agents for some of the major foreign mate- rials suppliers and machinery manufacturers. Machinery and Equipment Much of the plastics machinery and equipment has to be imported, although a few companies have standard lines of compression and injection molding machines, rolls, and high-frequency equipment. AB Alpha, Sundbyberg, makes some types of highly automatic hydraulic presses, ranging from 100- to 200 -ton capacity. Broden a Akesson Mekanisk Verkstad, Halsingborg, has specialized in some of the smaller sizes of injection -molding machines. In addition, Industri AB Plastics, Skara, and ABS Fagersten and Co., Goteborg, manufacture various types of smaller compres- sion-molding presses. Three companies, Flodens Industri AB, Leysekll and Svenska AB Philips, and AB Zander and Ingestrom, Stockholm, produce high-frequency preheaters and welding equipment. Sweden: Manufacturers Of Plastic Company Materials Commodities Allmanna Svenska Elektriska AB ASEA, Vasteras.... Alkyds, phenolic and melamine laminates, poly- esters, melamine molding powders. B. B. Chemical Co. AB, Strandbads-vagen, Halsing- Adhesives. borg. Bentfors and Co., AB, Motala Laminates. AB Bofors Nobelkrut, Bofors Acrylics sheets and laminates. 105 Sweden: Manufactures Of Plastics Materials— Con. Company Commodities AB Casco, Sickla, Stockholm 11 Urea resin adhesives. AB Celloplast, Hospitalsgatan 70, Norrkoping Viscose film, acetate film, and polyethylene film. Katrinefors AB, "Unicafabriken," Mariestad Vulcanized fiber. Klosters Fabriker KB, Jonkoping Phenolic resins and molding powder, and PVC com- pounds. N. Lundbergs Fabriks AB, St. Brogatan 37, Boras PVC compounds. Mooch Domsjo AB, Kem. Ind., Strandvagen 1, . Ethyl hydroxyethylcellulose. Stockholm O. AB Resinit, Box 108, Vastervik Phenolic laminates. Rockwool AB, Skbvde Resins for the treatment of mineral wool. Skanska Attikfabriken AB, Perstorp Phenolic, urea and melamine resins, molding powder and laminates. AB Statens Skogsindustrier, Forskningslaboratoriet, Resins for the treatment of mineral wool. Auravagen 4, Djursholm 1. Stockholms Benmjblsfabriks AB, Sandvik, Stockholm Urea resin adhesives. 12. Stockholms Superfosfat Fabriks AB, Cardellgatan, PVC, urea and melamine resins, adhesives and Stockholm 6. molding powder. AB Svensk Fargindustri, Barnangsgatan 31, Stock- PVC pastes. holm So. Svenska Cellulosa AB, Holmsundsgruppen, Holmsund Carboxy-methylcellulose. Svenska Limamnesfabriken AB, N. Kajgatan, Land- Adhesives. skrona. Svenska Oljeslageri AB, Kvarnbygatan 6, Molndal 1.. Alkyds, phenolic, urea and melamine resins, and polyesters. Svenska Polystyren-Fabriken AB, Kavlinge Styrene plastics. AB Syntes, Nol, Sweden Polyesters. AB Tilafabriken, Algatan 19, Trelleborg Phenolic laminates. Torsviks Sagverks AB , Jarnvagsgatan, Harnosand... Phenolic laminates. Uddeholms AB, Skoghallsverken, Skoghall Carboxy-methylcellulose. AB Vinylprodukter, Nybrokajen 7, Stockholm 16 PVC pastes. Svenska Chemaco AB, Kavlinge Polystyrene. SWITZERLAND The use of plastics in Switzerland has not made as rapid strides as in the United States and in other industrialized European countries. The cautious development in production and application may be explained by general Swiss reluctance to replacement of conventional materials. The narrow domestic market and lack of raw material resources, especially coal and petroleum - base products, places certain limitations on the domestic output of plastics materials. Switzerland has no cracking plants, no petrochemical industry, and no materials such as lignite and soybeans. However, the country is rich in hydroelectric power and produces calcium carbide and some cellulose. There are 27 manufacturers of plastics and resin materials in Switzerland, only 13 of which produce plastics materials from basic chemicals. One manufacturer makes compounds from pur- chased resins and 3 produce only semifinished forms of rods, tubes, bars, and sheets. Annual capacity for production of plastics ma- terials in powder, granular, flake, or other pri- mary forms is estimated at 20,000 metric tons. Production data are not available, but trade sources estimate that output of materials in 1955 amounted to 15,000 tons. Consumption has been estimated at some 33,500 tons annually. Materials currently produced are: Phenolic resins, urea and melamine resins, alkyds, aniline -formaldehyde, epoxy resins, polyesters, casein, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, methacrylic esters, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, and polyamides. The most important groups by volume are said to be urea and melamine resins and vinyl resins. Alkyds also are produced in comparatively large quanti- ties; epoxy resins are of growing importance. Polyesters and polyamides are more recent addi- tions to the range of products. Polystyrene, poly- ethylene, silicones, and fluorocarbons, which in- clude tetrafluoroethylene, trifluorochloroethylene, and chlorotrifluoroethylene polymers, are not made in Switzerland. The processing, fabricating, and finishing in- dustries are adequately developed and able to supply most of the domestic demand for finished J products. There are about 100 molders, half of which are firms which produce for their own re- quirements. There are some 20 extruders making films, sheetings, tubes, pipes, wire covering, and monofilaments; a few laminators who coat fabrics and paper; a few manufacturers of reinforced plastics; and about 25 fabricators and finishers. The processing of thermoplastics materials into films, sheetings, bars, and tubes is done mostly by firms that also process rubber. Laminates are made chiefly by firms in the electroengineer- ing field. The principal plastics materials for which Switzerland must depend on imports are poly- styrene, polyethylene, certain type vinyls, poly- esters, silicones, and fluorocarbons. The larg- est suppliers are Germany, United States, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Imports and exports of plastics materials as compiled by the Swiss Chemical Society are shown in table 92. According to United States exports statistics, Swiss imports of plastics and resin materials in unfinished and semifinished forms from the United States in 1955 totaled 6.7 million pounds, valued at $3 million. The leading ma- terials were styrene resins, alkyds, vinyl resins, and phenolic and other tar-acid resins. Com- parative data for 1953 were 3.2 million pounds, valued at $1.6 million, and for 1950, 3.8 million pounds, valued at $1.5 million. Swiss exports of plastics materials to the United States were un- important in 1955. Foreign investment in the plastics -materials industry is said to be insignificant. Four pro- ducers are known to manufacture under American, German, and British licenses and it is possible that licensers have made some investments. In the processing, fabricating, and finishing industries, no foreign investments have been reported. United States or other foreign branch factories have not been established, but several foreign companies maintain their own sales or supervisory offices. Their functions are not limited to Switzerland, as the country is centrally located and offers ex- cellent train and air connections with all indus- trial and trade centers of Europe. United States plastics are generally appreciated for their quality and utility and are competitive with European materials regardless of price differentials. Generally, the Swiss are quality- minded, but apart from this consideration, they will naturally buy at the lowest price. Low-priced Italian polyethylene of inferior quality, for example, is purchased to produce inexpensive household plastics items. Except for special safety regulations, there are no governmental decrees or regulations or im- port or export restrictions affecting plastics materials or plastics products. Safety regulations prohibit the use of poisonous materials in the manufacture of plastics used as wearing apparel or in toys and packaging materials for food. Research is concentrated on processing and applications of acrylic resins and dispersions for the treatment of textiles, and on the improvement of applications for urea and melamine resins in laminated plastics and treatment of textiles and Daper. A recent spectacular development has been the use of a new type of polyamide (poly- caprolactam) in the manufacture of film, pipe, and blown bottles. Machinery and equipment are no problem." Switzerland manufactures compression and in- jection-molding machines, extrusion machines, kneaders, and mixers. Foreign -made machinery is also in use. Table 92.— Swiss Imports and Exports of Plastics Materials, Powder, Flake, Granular, Liquid, 1950, 1953-55 [Metric tons] 1950 1953 1954 1955 2,801 1,241 4,0 11 1, 105 6, 183 4,591 E . So u rce : Sw i ; In the absence of official production figures for Switzerland, the following index for certain groups of plastics materials, published in an Organization for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) sur- vey of September 1955, entitled "l'Industrie Chimique en Europe," may give an indication of the recent trend (1950 = 100): 1953 1954 Condensation products (phenolics, amino plastics, alkyds, and other thermosettings) 174 212 Polymers and copolymers (vinyls, acrylics, and a few other thermo- plastics) 275 315 Cellulose derivatives 109 142 Albuminoid and casein derivatives 148 201 In the same OEEC publication Switzerland's production of plastics material by volume is re- ported to be roughly of the same order as that of Sweden, or 27,800 metric tons, considerably higher than the industry estimate of 15,000 metric tons. Switzerland: Plastics and Resin Materials Manufacturers Company and address Bally Schuhfabriken A. G., Schonenwerd, Canton Solothurn. Commodities Polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride compounds, flexi- ble profiles and sheets. Switzerland: Plastics and Resin Materials Manufacturers — Con. Company and address Commodities Chemische Fabrik Schonenwerd, H. Erzinger A. G. Schonenwerd, Canton Solothurn. Ciba Aktiengesellschaft, 141 Klybeckstrasse, Basel. CIS Chemische Industrie- and Seifenfabrik A. G., Liestal. Ebnoter, Dr. M. Nebikon, Canton Lucerne... Methacrylic esters, phenol -formaldehyde molding powder, ethoxyline casting resins, acetate powder, acrylate sheets. Urea and melamine molding powder, phenol -formalde- hyde molding powder, ethoxyline casting resins and adhesives, ethoxyline and thermoplastic laminating resins, synthetic resin dispersions and binders, resins for the paint and varnish industry, (phenolic, urea, and melamine) synthetic resins for the treat- ment of textiles, leather, and paper. Phenolic molding compounds. Polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride compounds; acryl- ics and butadiene -styrene compounds, ethoxyline resin adhesives, synthetic resin dispersions, bonding and laminating resins. Polyvinyl chloride and polyvinyl acetate compounds, copolymers, flexible and rigid tubes, bars, rods, and profiles. Gremolith A. G., Bazenheid, Canton St. Gallen Casein Plastics in sheet and rods, ethoxyline resin adhesives, synthetic resins for bonding and laminat- ing. Holzverzuckerungs A.G., Domat-Ems, Canton Polyamides, granular, rigid bars, rods, and profiles. Graubiinden. Farberei Schlieren A. G., Schlieren-Ziirich., Lonza Elektrizitatswerke und chemische Fabriken A. G., 72 Aeschenvorstadt, Basel. Mader, Dr. Walter, Lack- and Farbenfabrik A. G., Killwanger-Spreitenbach, Canton Aargau. Oel-und Chemie-Werk A. G., Hausen bei Brugg, Canton Aargau. Pluss-Staufer A. G., Oftringen, Canton Aargau. Stiidli, H., and Co., Presswerk, Hard, Winter - thur. Worbla A. G., Papiermiihle bei Bern.. All types and forms of vinyl resins, cresol-formalde- hyde resins, cellulose acetate; synthetic resin dis- persion, acrylate sheets. Polyester resins and molding powders. Polyester and other casting resins, phenolic laminating and reinforcing resins, ethoxyline resin adhesives, synthetic resin dispersions and binders, resins for the paint and varnish industry (alkyd, phenolic, urea, melamine, ethoxyline, maleic, and others). Synthetic resins for the paint and varnish industry (alkyd, urea, melamine, maleic and others), ethoxyl- ine resin adhesives. Phenolic molding powder, cresol-formaldehyde resin molding compounds, ethoxyline resin adhesives, phenolic resin dispersions. Celluloid in sheets, tubes, and rods, cellulose acetate in sheets, tubes, and rods, acetate powder, polyvinyl chloride in sheets, tubes, rods, and profiles, com- pounds, nitrocellulose for lacquers. TURKEY Plastics materials are not produced in Turkey, although many of the requisite raw materials are present and several foreign firms have shown in- terest in establishing manufacture in the country. A German firm has reportedly investigated the possibility of building a low-pressure polyethy- lene plant, but the outcome of the study and the decisions of other foreign firms are not known. Approximately 130 plants make finished goods from imported materials. An estimated 95 per- cent of the country's total consumption of plastics materials is in the Istanbul area. Many plants are potentially capable of using about 22,500 metric tons of plastics materials annually, including 14,000 tons of polyvinyl chloride in the form of powder, granules, and paste (table 93). Table £ Polystyrene Polyethylene molding powder. Polyvinyl chloride powder... Poly> Polyx hloride, f\ chloride, paste Phenolic-formaldehyde powder. Cast phenol ics Urea-formaldehyde, granular.. Urea-formaldehyde powder Casein, sheet Casein, bar Celh Celh icetate.. "Figures Source: of Industry. Plastic lift, 300 days per year. >nal Committee, Istanbul Chamber In the past several years, consumption has been severely limited by the inability to import mate- rials because of foreign exchange difficulties. The 2,000 tons consumed in 1956-57, about half of which was polyvinyl chloride, was estimated by industry sources at about 10 percent of capacity. Potential consumption of plastics materials, in terms of buying power for finished products and without regard to exchange problems or actual productive capacity, has been estimated by the in- dustry at from 50,000 to 100,000 tons. These es- timates contemplate the expansion of production of articles already made as well as the introduc- tion of new items. The Turkish industry engages in molding, coat- ing, extruding, laminating, and shaping for the fabrication of finished plastics goods. A large part of the productive capacity has been devoted to the manufacture of items of slight economic importance, such as ornaments and combs. From 20 to 25 percent of the cutting, drilling, and shap- ing machines used are devoted to production of prayer beads and cigarette holders; a large part of the molding industry makes toothbrush holders and soap dishes. Production of items of greater importance, such as plastic shoes, tubing, insu- lated electrical cable, and parts for textile ma- chines, also has been undertaken (table 94). ■. — Turkey: Potential Plastics Products Output at Capacity Operation Automotive brake linings.. Pressure rollers for texti :ated e Electrical fittings Hose for petroleum handling, i ventilation, etc Floor and table coverings.... Book-binding cloth Artificial leather Plastic shoes Plastic soles for shoes Plastic heels for s Tubes and caps for pharmaceut Brushes Buttons Hail ints, Combs Spectacle frames Drawing instruments Fountain pens, automatic Lenses for signal lamps automobi le 1 i ghts -Not available. :e: Plastics Professic stanbul Chamber of Industry. According to official statistics, Turkey im- ported about 1,360 tons of plastics materials in 1955 and 1,928 tons in 1956 (table 95). Condensa- tion materials accounted for about 26 percent of 1956 imports tonnagewise, polymerization mate- rials for 50 percent, cellulosics, for 18 percent, and protein and other plastics materials for the remainder. The United States furnished some- what more than 5 percent of these imports in 1955 and slightly more than 21 percent during 1956. Great Britain, West Germany, and Czechoslovakia also have been important suppliers. Turkey does not export plastics materials. Plastics materials are usually obtained by di- rect purchase from foreign suppliers and con- sumers reportedly are able to pay cash for the limited amount they are allowed to purchase. If they were permitted to import larger quantities of plastics materials, many would require 3 months' credit terms. A small amount of advertising of finished plas- tics products is carried on. No special packaging is required for plastics materials. Because of limited consumption, di- rect sales to consuming plants are said to be sat- isfactory, but should improved economic condi- tions permit increased consumption, American manufacturers would probably benefit by having representatives in Turkey. Foreign capital, usually in the form of technical Table 95. — Turkey: Imports of Plastics Materials, I Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 Turkish lir« Country of origin 1955 1956 Quant i ty Value Quantity Value 428.0 612.7 441 9 744 » 1 15 8 217 ,. 361.5 152.4 148.9 86.0 74.0 26.8 23.0 18.0 10.4 601.6 411.5 356.1 177.2 60.0 34.1 60.0 29.1 92 527 54 409 2 216 1,048 91 870 fl - F Un i ted States f 77 21 134 20 10 25 3 204 106 320 48 18 82 _ - Israel . , F Other 31.6 84.6 2 1,360.6 2,568.3 1,928 2 3,970 lals US $0,357. ie Mensuelle du Commerce Exteri aid and machinery, has been invested in ventures which reportedly account for more than 20 per- cent of Turkey's capacity for the manufacture of plastics articles. There are no branches of American or other foreign plastics firms and no known marketing agreements or agreements for the exchange of technical information. United States plastics materials have a good reputation in Turkey and more of them would be imported except for two limiting factors. The first is the restricted amount of foreign exchange allocated to consumers, which has encouraged them to purchase at the lowest price obtainable. Secondly, the inclusion of plastics materials in Turkey's bilateral trade agreements, particularly those with Eastern European countries, is chan- neling some trade to those countries. The greatest assistance that foreign firms can furnish the Turkish industry is technical aid to promote greater efficiency, and advice on making new products. Some firms would also welcome capital participation. The use of plastics to replace older materials is only beginning in Turkey. Some plastics items are imported, notably electrical fittings and kitchenware. No Government decrees or regulations pertain exclusively to the plastics industry; a fixed rate of profit is imposed on all producers. UNITED KINGDOM The United Kingdom ranks third in the produc- tion of plastics, following the United States and West Germany. Sales of plastics materials reached a new record of 324,120 tons in 1955, over 16 per- cent greater than in 1954 and more than double the 1950 total. Such remarkable growth has made plastics probably the fastest expanding major in- dustry in the country. The leading role in expan- sion continued to be in the thermoplastic sector of the plastics family, where 1955 sales increased by 21 percent over 1954. In 1955, for the first time, the level of sales of thermoplastics exceeded those of thermosetting materials, whereas 1950 sales were less than half the volumeof the thermo- setting group. In 1955, all thermoplastics materials for which separate figures were collected by the British Board of Trade showed increases, except for poly- styrene which declined slightly below the 1954 level. Sales of polythene (polyethylene) and vinyl chlorides, which constitute over half the thermo- plastics group, increased by more than 20 percent during 1955. Sales of acrylics rose 13 percent, while the remaining materials showed increases up to 10 percent. The main thermosetting materials have also in- creased in sales since 1954. Phenolics and cre- sylics, which account for nearly 45 percent of this group, increased about 15 percent and the amino plastics (urea and melamine) by 9 percent. Casein plastics increased around 30 percent but they rep- resent a small proportion of total sales. Polyester sales more than doubled. There is no available breakdown of data for poly- thene because of the Board of Trade's policy of re- fraining from publishing production of a relatively small number of firms. Industry estimates of 1955 annual output of principal thermoplastics are as follows (tons): Polyvinyl chloride, 50,000 to 55,000; polythene, 25,000, and polystyrene, 18,000 to 22,000. Current estimated annual capacity for polyvinyl chloride is 52,000 to 57,000; polythene, 30,000 to 35,000; and polystyrene, 30,000. Polythene is considered to have the greatest Table 96. —United Kingdom: Net Sales (Output) of Plastics Materials, 1954 and 1955 Long tons 19514 1955 i r 278, 630 324,120 . 113,203 160, III Alkyds: Solid and liquid resins. 30,620 29,596 Aminoplastics: (urea-melamine) : Solid and liquid resins, including solutions 23,904 26,938 19,060 20,017 Casein plastics: Sheet, rod tube and profile shapes. 2,096 2,732 Phenol ics and cresyl ics: 12,802 5,254 27,567 12,503 5,977 31,176 Modified solid and liquid resins Moulding and extrusions compounds... Sheet, rod, tube and profile shapes (lam- inated and cast, including decorative sheet) 14,786 19,889 res i n con ten t) 1,745 1,682 Polyesters. Other thermosetting materials 1,851 2,450 Cellulose plastics: Moulding and extrusion compounds Other (including photographic film base)... Vinyl chlorides: Moulding and extrusion compounds Sheets up to .012 inch thickness Other sheet, rod, tube and profile shapes.. Solutions, emulsions and dispersons (net resin content) Polystyrene: Moulding and extrusion compounds Other. Other thermoplastic materials (including acrylics, polyamides, polytetrafluorethylene, polyethylene, vinyl acetates and vinyl chloride polymers and copolymers. 29, 320 5,019 7,892 33,243 8,395 9,151 potential, closely followed by polyvinyl chloride. The future of polystyrene is not as clear. Produc- tion data of vulcanized fiber and cellophane are not available, but cellophane exports are large, amounting to about 16 million pounds in 1955. Considering plans of leading firms manufactur- ing thermoplastics, it is estimated that annual capacity in 2 to 3 years for polyvinyl chloride should amount to 105,000-112,000 tons and poly- thene about 154,000-159,000. The largest amount of polythene capacity by 3 firms will use the high-pressure method, while 1 firm will use the Phillips low-pressure method and another the Ziegler process. Imports of plastics and resin materials into the United Kingdom amounted to 20,320 tons, valued at £9,314,397 in 1954 and 28,229 tons, valued at £12,029,160 in 1955. In 1954, on a quantity basis, the United States supplied 47 percent of the im- ports, West Germany 15 percent, the Netherlands 12 percent, and Canada 8 percent. In 1955, the United States' share of imports decreased to 43 percent, while West Germany's increased to 24 percent and Canada's to 10 percent; the Nether- lands' decreased to 9 percent. In addition to the above, the United Kingdom im- ported 869 long tons of vulcanized fiber valued at £272,799 in 1954 and 1,116 long tons, valued at £346,058, in 1955. In 1954, on a quantity basis, Australia was the leading market for United Kingdom exports of plastics and resin materials taking about 15 per- cent of exports, followed by the Union of South Africa 7 percent, India 6 percent, Netherlands 6 percent, and Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and New Zealand, 5 percent each. In 1955 exports going to Australia approximated 10 percent, Union of South Africa 8 percent, India, Sweden, and the Nether- lands 6 percent each, and Denmark and France, 5 percent each. In addition to the above, the United Kingdom ex- ported 5,757 long tons of transparent (regenerated) cellulose film unconverted^ i.e. in sheets, or rolls, unprinted, valued at £2,704,166 in 1954 and 7,110 long tons, valued at £3,283,466, in 1955. Exports of plastics materials in 1955 rose to nearly 85,000 tons compared with 73,000 tons in 1954, representing in both years more than 25 per- cent of total output. This does not take into ac- count a substantial amount of exports in the form of finished goods and component parts. Plastics are replacing other materials on an in- creasing scale in the United Kingdom. Numerous consumers in this market presently using tradi- tional materials are potential plastics consumers. Table 97.— United Kingdom: Imports of Plastics Materials from the United States— 1952-56 Year Long tons Value in British pounds 1 4, 125 4,422 9,598 11,984 1 0, 1 40 6,060,786 x 0ne British pound equals US$2.80. Source: Board of Trade of the United Kingdom. Table 98.— United Kingdom: Imports of Plastics and Resin Materials by Commodity, 1954-55 [Quantity in long tons; value in British pounds] Commo. 1954 1955 Quantity Value Quantity Value Synthetic resins, solid and liquid, including adhesives: 8,545 4,460 434 2,442 1 ,949 2,490 2,321,637 1,276,844 114,159 1,399,359 2,192,149 2,010,249 11,131 6,712 828 3,3 72 2,258 3,928 A 1 1 other Molding powders: 1,808,362 All other Sheets, rod, tube, film, and foil: 1,484,602 Total 20,320 9,314,397 28,229 'elating to trade and navigation of the United Kingdom. -United Kingdom: Imports of Plastics and Resii [Quantity in long tons; value in Britis Materials by Country, 1951-55 Countr of ori 1954 1955 Quantity Value Quantity Value Canada 1,593 69 3,083 2,331 181 858 9,598 2,607 1,1 17,625 30,254 1,202,379 594,518 171,063 439,927 5,151,566 607,065 2,788 100 6,830 2,670 269 346 11,984 3,242 1,230 38 2,334 769 75 259 6,458 862 890 Un i ted States 515 Total 20,320 9,314,397 28,229 12,029 160 Source: Accounts relating to trade and navigation of th Table 100.— United Kingdom: Imports of Plastics Materials From the United States, by Type, 1955 Type Quantity Value Synthetic resins, solid and liquid including adhesives: Phenol and cresol formaldehyde 5 6,536 1,540 192 7 49 C) 154 2,252 5 (*) (M 348 894 1,923 Molding powers: Phenol and cresol formaldehyde 2,828 ' 65 48 401 Sheet, rod, tube, film, and foil: Cellulose acetate, photographic (including cinematograph) film base 2,539,798 Celluloid: Photographic (including cinematograph) film base 387 384 785 Other 1,056,398 Total 1 1 , 982 6,458,060 The next several years can be expected to witness an intensified sales effort to win new markets un- der the pressure of increased domestic production of polythene, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene. The glass -container and pipe industries are men- tioned as having far-reaching possibilities. United States producers are well represented in the British market through direct investment or close association with British firms. The associ- ation between the United States and the United Kingdom in plastics has been of long standing, and has permitted exchanges in basic techniques of plastics development and manufacture which have been rewarding to the industries of both countries. American products appear, on the whole, to be preferred to other foreign materials. This is in- dicated by the position of the United States as the leading exporter of plastics materials to the United Kingdom since the war. Currently, Britain's anti- inflationary "credit squeeze," which has been increasing since early 1955 and includes higher bank rates, greater re- striction on installment buying, and higher pur- chase taxes, has brought about a downward ad- justment in the production of plastics materials consumed in radios, television sets, and automo- biles, the sales of which have been most affected by the Government's measures. As a consequence, Table 101. — United Kingdom: Exports of Plastics and Resin Materials, by Commodity, 1954-55 [Quantity in long tons; value in British pounds] Synthetic resins, solid and liquid (including adhesives): Phenol and cresol formaldehyde resins Urea formaldehyde resins Vinyl resins: Unplasticised Plasticised All other Molding powders: Ce 1 1 u 1 ose acetate Phenol and cresol formaldehyde Polystyrene Urea formaldehyde Other Sheets, rod, tube, and foil: Laminated Non laminated: Ce 1 1 u 1 ose acetate Celluloid Polyvinyl chloride A 1 1 other Waste and scrap (including celluloid and film waste and scrap) i, 5ii, sm 2,605,423 254,514 216,219 780,331 1,069,696 402,087 7,504 5,592 7,557 2,322 2,001 9,504 5,778 11,219 2,857 2,257 5,729 Total . :e: Accounts relating to trade and r of the United I Table 102.— United Kingdom: Exports of Plastics and Resin Materials, by Country, 1954-55 [Quantity in long tons; value in British pounds] Country of destination 1954 1955 Quantity Value Quantity Value 4,849 4,649 514 526 1,660 10,742 3,380 957 2,514 1,079 3,493 3,828 2,835 3,849 1,446 4,463 2,892 2,667 1,385 1,291 992 1,603 643 3,200 2,173 5,669 1,101 ,921 1,372,125 160,281 132,636 481,043 3,501,344 1,250,911 340,672 550,377 330,620 597,612 1,213,465 860,214 992,376 453,292 1 ,177,088 590,945 722,269 487,468 357,337 317,680 500,303 180,064 540,688 864,213 1,454,511 6,782 5,172 839 593 1,437,027 1 ,361,143 496 ? I83 8 3 3 3 2 1 5 3 2 2 3 2 7 782 635 164 337 461 470 699 74 8 213 208 065 208 134 024 519 435 743 106 381 659 650 1,226,604 353,279 Canada 421,138 790,465 1,298,141 822,474 1,000,761 Sweden Norway Belgium 669,847 866,284 681,197 399,304 396,301 796,465 297,236 461,288 993,077 1,918,043 F ranee Italy Austria 73,299 20,531,455 84 823 22,812,369 Accounts relating to trade and r i of the United Kir sales of polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene resins have been slowed somewhat. Import restrictions in effect as a result of Britain's dollar shortage limit to a certain extent the importation of plastics materials. The Gov- ernment expects the British consumer to obtain plastics materials from local producers when materials or reasonable substitutes are available. In cases where they are not available or are un- duly expensive or of inferior quality and the con- sumer can so prove, an import license may be issued permitting purchase abroad. At present, dollar sources are being given equal treatment with other currency sources. According to industry estimates, approximately | 3,300 compression presses, with total capacity of 276,000 tons, and 883 injection machines, with total capacity of 4,200 ounces were in operation. Recent developments in techniques of manufac- turing are primarily improvements of past meth- ods. The size of molding machines is increas- ing, and means are constantly under study to speed up cycles of operation. While some developments, usually modifications, are occasionally announced in the thermosetting field, it is in thermoplastics that the greater industry now lies. Gradual devel- opment, increased production of existing materials, and new markets for plastics will probably ab- sorb the industry's energies for the next few years. United Kingdom: Plastics Materials Producers Company Commodities Aero Research Ltd Urea and melamine resins, epoxy resins, resorcinol resins. Duxford, Cambridge B. I. P. Chemicals, Ltd Alkyd resins, urea and melamine resins, polyester resins. Pope Lane, Oldbury B. X. Plastics, Ltd Casein plastics, cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate, poly- London styrene, polyvinyl resin compounds. Bakelite Ltd.... Silicone resins, vinyl chloride copolymers, urea resins, London epoxy resins, phenolic and cresylic resins, polyester resins, polystyrene, resorcinol resins. Beck, Koller and Co. (England Ltd.) Alkyd resins, urea and melamine resins, phenolic and cre- Liverpool sylic resins, polyester resins. Birkbys, Ltd Phenolic and cresylic resins. Yorkshire Blackburn and Oliver, Ltd Phenolic and cresylic resins. Pemberton, Wigan British Celanese, Ltd Cellulose acetate. London British Geon, Ltd Vinyl chloride polymers and copolymers. London British Resin Products, Ltd Resorcinol resins, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride corn- London pounds, alkyd resins, urea and melamine resins, epoxy resins, phenolic and cresylic resins, polyester resins, polystyrene. Catalin, Ltd Urea and melamine resins, phenolic and cresylic resins, Waltham Abbey, Essex polyester resins, resorcinol resins. Cooper, McDougall and Robertson, Ltd. .. Phenolic and cresylic resins. Berkhamsted, Herts Courtaulds Ltd Cellulose acetate. Coventry East Anglia Plastics Ltd Acrylic resins, nylon plastic, polystyrene, vinyl polymer London compounds. Erinoid, Ltd.... Casein plastics, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride compounds. Stroud, Gloucestershire Featly Products, Ltd Urea and melamine resins, phenolic and cresylic resins. Manchester James Ferguson and Sons, Ltd Urea and melamine resins, phenolic and cresylic resins. London, S. W. 19 Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd Polyethylene, vinyl chloride polymers and copolymers, Welwyn Garden City, Herts polytetrafluoroethylene, silicones, acrylic resins and mold- ing powders, alkyd resins, urea resins, casein plastics, phenolic and cresylic resins, nylon plastics, polyester resins. 114 United Kingdom: Plastics Materials Producers— Con. Company Commodities Leicester, Sovell and Co., Ltd Urea resins, epoxy resins, phenolic and cresylic resins, North Baddesley, Southampton resorcinol resins, polyvinyl acetate. Chas. Lowe and Co. (Manchester), Ltd.... Urea and melamine resins, phenolic and cresylic resins. Reddish, Stockport Monsanto Chemicals, Ltd Phenolic and cresylic resins, polystyrene and copolymers, London resorcinol resins, polyethylene. Plastanol, Ltd Alkyd resins. Belvedere, Kent Rubber Improvement, Ltd Vinyl polymer compounds. Wellingborough, Northants Scott Bader and Co., Ltd Acrylic resins and molding powders, alkyd resins, epoxy Wellingborough, Northants resins, phenolic and cresylic resins, polyester resins, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate. Stanley Smith and Co Urea resins. Isleworth, Middlesex Sterling Moulding Materials, Ltd Phenolic and cresylic resins. London Styrene Products, Ltd Polystyrene copolymers. London Vinyl Products, Ltd Acrylic resins and molding powders, polystyrene and copoly- Carshalton, Surrey mers, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride. Walker Extract and Chemical Co., Ltd.... Urea and melamine resins, phenolic and cresylic resins, Bolton, Lancastershire resorcinol resins. Watford Chemicals Co., Ltd Polyester resins. London Shell Chemical, Ltd Epoxy resins. Stan low Distrene Styrene polymers. South Wales, Barry YUGOSLAVIA The only plastic material manufactured in Yu- goslavia is polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The entire output is produced by Yugovinyl, Kastel Sucurac, Croatia. Construction of this plant was started in 1947 and completed in 1950. Output is said to have increased steadily since opening of the plant, with production reaching 3,365 tons in 1955 compared with 3,045 tons in 1954 and 2,400 tons during 1953. Rated capacity of the plant at time of construction was 3,000 tons per year. Actual production during recent years has exceeded that level and it is estimated that current annual capacity is 4,000 tons. The pri- mary goods processed from polyvinyl chloride by Yugovinyl include tubing, rods, sheets, plates, etc., production of which more than doubled from 1953 (1,168 tons) to 1955 (2,982 tons). The only materials imported for PVC production are some softeners. Approximately 500 tons were imported in 1955, mostly from the Federal Republic of Germany and some from East Germany. Yugoslav consumption of PVC during 1955 is es- timated at 1,500 tons and that of all other plastics materials, about 600 tons. The production of con- sumer goods made from plastics has increased during the past 2 years, but such items continue to be largely a novelty on the Yugoslav market. In 1955, the Yugoplastika Plant began production of a wide range of consumer items (clothing, footwear, luggage, household items, toys, bags, boxes, packaging materials, etc.). It is the larg- est fabricator of consumer goods in Yugoslavia and is reported to be using approximately 30 per- cent of Yugovinyl' s output of polyvinyl chloride. All enterprises engaged in the production and distribution of plastics materials and products are socialized except for small handicraft work- shops and sales shops. Yugoslav cable factories account for a large share of polyvinyl chloride consumption while other major consumers in- clude military industries and railways. There are reported to be some 50 other processing en- terprises, many of which are relatively newly es- tablished, and an unknown number of handicraft workshops (many of which are privately operated). American exporters are required by Yugoslav law to deal with authorized Yugoslav foreign trade enterprises (see Department of Commerce WTIS Part 1, No. 55-98, "Doing Business in Yu- goslavia"). Foreign investment in Yugoslav industry is for- bidden by law and no foreign branch factories are permitted in the country. Foreign trade is reg- ulated and controlled by the Federal Foreign Trade Committee, the Yugoslav National Bank, the Yugoslav Foreign Trade Bank, and the "non- Governmental" Federal Chambers of Foreign Trade and Industry. The Government is a party to a great number of bilateral agreements cover- ing the exchange of technical information with most of the Sino -Soviet Bloc countries and many Western European nations. Imports of plastics materials from the United States in recent years have accounted for less than 1 percent of estimated Yugoslav consumption. The use of plastics to replace other materials is expected to continue. However, replacement will be governed by consumer familiarity with plastics and the development of the fabricating and proc- essing industry. It is intended that Yugoslav con- sumption requirements of plastics materials be met as far as possible from domestic production, which at the present time means PVC. Imports of other types of plastics are expected to be held to a minimum and obtained insofar as possible from countries with which Yugoslavia has bilateral trade and payments agreements. As domestic consumption requirements increase, production is expected to expand. Under present circumstances the possibility for United States exports of plastics materials and products to Yugoslavia is limited to such items as the government finds are required and which can- not be obtained under one of its bilateral trade and payments agreements. Production, labor conditions, consumption, and domestic and foreign trade in plastics are subject to thousands of government decrees and regula- tions which apply to the Yugoslav economy gener- ally. In addition, the nongovernmental organiza- tions for the management of the economy (the Chambers of Industry, of Commerce, of Foreign Trade and the various associations of enterprises) also have established rules and regulations to govern the operations and activities of their members. Many of the rules and regulations remain unpub- lished. In 1956 Yugoslavia produced 2,684 metric tons of plastics materials and imported 1,590 tons, pri- marily condensation resins, cellulosic, and protein and other synthetic resins, and plastics materials. Most imports came from the United Kingdom, West West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Czechoslo- vakia, and Austria. Exports amounted to 1,666 tons of vinyl materi- als, the greater share going to Russia, Czechoslo- vakia, Poland, Argentina, and West Germany. Table 103.— Yugoslavi, [Quanl Imports of Plastics and Resin Materials, 1955-56 Commodity and country of origin 1955 1956 Quantity Value Quantity Value Cellophane, celluloid: 31.8 12.3 21.6 0.6 Total 66.3 14.9 46.1 99.7 22.2 55.1 I.I 3.0 0.1 Condensation plastics products: 5.2 10.4 41.5 18.3 60.5 990 3,739 14,176 5,005 6,242 8,602 301 135.9 30,152 242.2 3.3 Protein derivates: Other plastic materials: 3.5 23.2 11.2 15.3 130.0 570 6,484 7,364 3,327 186 1,785 15.1 30.5 42.1 93.2 18,896 12,389 Switzerland 1.0 474 at end of table, -Yugoslavia: Imports of Ph [Quantity in metric ton sties and Resin Materials, 1955-56 — Cot ^00 dinars equal US $1. Several countries, none of which accounted Source: Yugoslavian foreign trade statistic: 1955 1956 Commodity and country of origin Quantity Value Quantity Value 3,092 5.0 3.1 0.5 492 190.0 2.5 62.0 119.0 23,300 1,574 10,366 17,779 11,295 Nitrocellulose: Italy West Germany Hungary 35.6 70.0 6,61 1 9,678 Switzerland 0.2 Other artificial resins and plastics materials: 261.4 41,014 3,748 28,982 27,986 27,077 3,036 19,769 5,148 667 109.5 18,438 139 146 1 12 19 120 19 5 8 8 3 3 518 90 217 2 103 7 15 7 7 2 2 9 7 5 Italy 14,779 32 607 4*735 ' 803 1 416 ' 12 3 193 503 575 7 116,606 977 5 240,824 Grand total 1,163 211,072 1,589 3 417 882 Table 104.— Yugoslavia: Exports of Plastics and Resin Materials, 1955-56 [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 dinars] COMOKH" 1955 1956 Quantity Value Quantity Value Condensation plastics: 90.9 16,541 Polyvinyl raw material: 506.0 66.7 160.2 350.8 22.6 15.0 175.0 2.6 297.1 19.5 76,187 10,292 18,444 55,005 3,440 2,254 26,940 359 96,490 3,667 3.0 96.1 185.6 26.6 4.0 405 West Germany 11,798 26,669 3,822 Czechoslovakia Sweden India Finland 34.9 8,178 164.2 61.0 600.0 160.0 28,905 80730 47,988 Table I OH. — Yugos a: Exports of Plastics and Resin Materials, 1955-56— Con. [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 dinars] 1955 1956 Commodity and country of destination Quantity Value Quantity value 9.6 0th .7 86 1,616.2 2.6 1.0 3.3 40.0 123.9 29.9 2.5 1.2 1.2 3.0 12.3 7.9 8.9 32.3 293,164 689 349 1,289 11,988 39,583 10,755 849 466 399 882 3,378 2,156 3,523 13,489 1,345.0 Other polyvinyl material: 3.0 17.7 Swed n Araentina 74.5 21.9 29.5 8,814 . Lebanon 4.3 8.3 25.0 11.7 1,214 2,045 5,840 T rke Pak i stan 16.7 100.0 1.5 3.7 2.2 .7 Denmark 1.0 468 271.0 6.0 90,263 706 320.7 1,984.1 400,674 1,665.7 Several countries, none of which accounted for Source: Yugoslavian foreign trade statistics. WORLD SURVEY OF PLASTICS Chapter VI Asia and Oceania The Asia and Oceania area was the world's third largest plastics materials producing, im- porting, exporting, and consuming area, in 1955- 56 accounting for approximately 462 million pounds, or 6 percent, of world production; 162 million pounds, or 18 percent, of imports; 23 mil- lion pounds, or 2 percent, of exports; and 601 million pounds, or 8 percent, of apparent con- sumption. Japan was dominant within Asia and Oceania, accounting in 1955-56 for 5.4 percent of the world's output, 5.6 percent of imports, 1.4 per- cent of exports, and 6.0 percent of consumption. Australia was the only other sizable producer and exporter. Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and India were the other principal import- ing and consuming countries. The outstanding development in the area has been the recent and rapid rise of Japan to the po- sition of the world's fourth largest producing and consuming nation of plastics and resin materials. Asia and Oceania is steadily becoming an im- portant market for United States plastics and res- in materials, importing about 19 million pounds, or 10.5 percent of total U. S. exports of these commodities in 1953 and 80 million pounds, 18.9 percent, in 1956. In 1953 Japan accounted for 3.5 percent of U. S. exports, the Philippines 3.4 per- cent, and Australia 1 percent; in 1956, Japan ac- counted for 11.0 percent, the Philippines 2.4 per- cent, and Australia and New Zealand, each nearly 1 percent. This area has been a minor source of supply for U. S. imports of plastics and resin materials, furnishing about 3,000 pounds, 0.1 percent of total U. S. imports of these commodities in 1953; 2.1 million pounds, or 6.2 percent, in 1955; and 1 million pounds, or 2.8 percent, in 1956. Virtu- ally all of these imports were from Japan. In addition to imports of plastics materials from the United States, the Asia and Oceania area also took considerable amounts of these commod- ities from the United Kingdom (firmly estab- lished as the chief supplier for Australia, Burma, India, Malaya, and New Zealand), West Germany, Italy, Netherlands, and Canada. Exports from the Asia and Oceania area were limited mainly to shipments from Australia and Japan to other countries within the area. AUSTRALIA (Reprinted from CHEMICAL AND RUBBER INDUSTRY REPORT, December 1956) The Australian plastics industry, under a pro- tective umbrella of tariffs, is said to have ex- panded tenfold since 1939 and future growth is ex- pected to be equally vigorous. The value of plas- tics produced in 1956 will probably exceed $72.8 million. Expansion plans already under way will further reduce dependence on imported plastics materials and articles which contain plastics components. The major requirement for plastics materials is now met from domestic production and most of the leading producers have financial affiliations with companies in the United Kingdom. Imports are limited to materials not available domestically and especially to those which originate primarily in the United Kingdom and Western Europe, be- cause of exchange restrictions and price factors. The change in July 1956 from import quotas to administrative controls for many commodities precludes importation of any plastics materials produced in Australia as soon as outstanding im- port licenses expire. Import licenses for plastics materials are said to be allocated to non- American sources because of dollar restrictions. In contrast to the concentration of plastics ma- terials production in a few major chemical firms, the manufacture of plastics products is carried on by a relatively large number of fairly small companies. (119) The plastics-molding industry is confined en- tirely to the states of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, and with few exceptions to the capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. The "big four" plastics materials used in Au- stralia are polythene (polyethylene), polyvinyl chlo- ride, polystyrene, and phenol -formaldehyde resins. Only polythene is not yet manufactured in Au- stralia but Imperial Chemical Industries of Au- stralia and New Zealand has announced plans to build a new polythene unit near Sydney. Com- pletion is scheduled for the end of 1957, with an initial production of 3,000 tons annually. At present consumption of polythene is nearly 2,000 tons a year. The new plant is expected to meet Australia's total polythene requirements. Phenol -formaldehyde capacity of 3 major pro- ducers is being expanded to 6,000 tons a year, about double present output. Imports are very small and there is a small amount of export busi- ness to New Zealand. Urea -formaldehyde and melamine- formaldehyde capacity is being ex- panded to 3,000 tons a year to meet demand and provide some margin over current needs. The Botany plant of Imperial Chemical Industries of Australia and New Zealand has a capacity of 6,000 tons a year for polyvinyl chloride, some- what above demand at the present time. Annual capacity for polystyrene is about 6,000 tons, and present consumption approximates 5,000 tons a year. Imports are substantial but probably will diminish as more local material is produced. There is a capacity of 1,000 tons a year for cellulose acetate but most of the output is for rayon manufacture. There is still a significant tonnage of imported acetate material required in forms not yet made domestically. About 800 tons of nitrocellulose are manufactured to produce approximately 1 million gallons of lacquer a year. Plastics-grade cellulose nitrate and sheet and film made from it are not produced in Au- stralia but imports of celluloid (cellulose nitrate) are only 190 tons a year. Three firms manu- facture polyester resins from imported materials. Present capacity for these resins is about 500 tons a year. There are still several plastics materials which Australia may not find it economical to produce for some years. Imports of acrylics are about 700 tons a year and there is little likelihood of these resins being manufactured because of labor costs and other economic factors. Small but in- creasing quantities of nylon, silicones, epoxy resins, special cellulosics, fluoroethylene, poly- urethanes, and natural resins are imported. No production of these plastics could be justified on economic grounds for many years. Some of the other materials (fillers, plastici- zers, etc.) needed for the manufacture of plas- tics are made domestically, but urea, hexamine, styrene monomer, polyvinyl acetate, and cellulose are imported. While demand for some of these may not be great enough to justify economic Au- stralian manufacture for some years, others, such as urea and polyvinyl acetate, may be made domestically within the next few years. Table 105.— Australian Production of Plastics and Resin Materials, Fiscal Year 1954-55 Type Use Pounds Phenol ics For moulding and extrusion... For moulding and extrusion... 4,914-, 672 Phenol ics For other purposes Ureas and melamines For other purposes 6,667,360 Alkyds For other purposes For other 6,848,464 Commonwealth Bure Table 106. —Austral ia: Imports of Plastics Materials, by Type, Fiscal Year: (July I to June 30) 1 [Quantity in pounds; value in Australian pounds] 1952-53 to 1955-56 1952-53 1953-54 1954-55 1955-56 Type Quantity 1 Value Quantity 1 Value Quantity 1 Value Quantity 1 Value Liquids (including solutions and pastes) and solids 2 89,489 663,508 ( 3 ) 2,478,963 135,183 2,553,070 C) 12,215 90,995 ( 3 ) 322,862 32,232 410,523 (*) 489,289 832,312 ( 3 ) 8,176,531 207,744 8,414,828 C) 59,933 114,910 ( 3 ) 971,890 73,742 1,522,956 (") 351,315 1,167,178 8,437,705 6,607,823 1,324,854 505,028 1,957,772 259,130 7,633,184 2,680,280 52,289 161,131 1,317,356 791,256 204 , 420 59,776 261,904 83,636 1,232,528 562,300 344,100 1,341,979 7,850,518 4,702,161 2,437,764 148,572 562,021 434,569 5,463,857 4,671,405 Vinyl and vinyl idene in any polymerized or copol ymeri zed 1,022,275 Polyvinyl chloride Polyvinyl chloride Polyvinyl acetate 568,169 331,439 19,241 107,267 837,820 Polyethylene 937,330 See footnotes at end of table. Table 106.— Austral ia: Imports of Plastics Materials, by Type, Fiscal Years 1952-53 to 1955-56 (July I to June 30) 1 — Con. [^Quantity in pounds; value in Austral ian pounds] 1952-53 1953-54 1954-55 1955-56 Type Quantity Value Quantity 1 Value Quantity 1 Value Quantity Value Liquids (including solutions and pastes) and solids 2 Cellulose acetate 5 and butyrate Cellulose nitrate (celluloid) 835,125 986,861 164,127 217,978 521,280 2,199,441 120,741 452,428 479,071 3,015,619 124,549 490,953 742,169 2,009,151 200,170 7,742,199 1 ,250,932 20,841,425 3,316,600 34,418,959 5,342,098 30,708,266 4 814 383 Blocks, rods, sheets, and preformed shapes, not further processed 51,076 549 19,848 ( 4 ) ( 4 ) ( 4 ) 404,902 162,303 20,426 460 9,024 ( 4 ) ( 4 ) ( 4 ) 246,981 70,349 328,995 72,600 600 241,489 ( 4 ) ( 4 ) ( 4 ) 561,971 305,078 22,937 298 66,069 ( 4 ) C) ( 4 ) 337,268 125,627 836,732 195,162 7,463 974,945 1,727,099 41,037 21,844 696,332 69,240 3,733 307,51 1 657,159 25,324 10,228 412,170 95,709 9,651 92 1,215,403 1,621,625 37,741 67,067 8 1 1 , 1 60 418,428 * 4 458 ' 5 , polymerized or copolymeri zed Polyvinyl chloride Polyvinyl acetate Other Cellulose acetate 5 and Cellulose nitrate (celluloid) 149,903 638,678 676,235 1,181,738 1,388,931 3,663,882 1,581,074 4,181,167 1,597,616 i.s.s. — Not separately shown. Excluding synthetic fibers, natural resir lared adhesives, synthetic oils, synthetic Processed to a lesser extent than blocks, ng compounds, synthetic n ind laminated plastics, other preformed shapes (ir ■ and syntheti< ling scrap). Commonwealth Bure i and Statistic Table 107.— Austral ia: Exports of Plastics Materials, Fiscal Years 1952-53 to 1955-56 (July I to June 30) 1 [Quantity in pounds; value in Australian pounds] 1952 -53 1953 -54 1954 -55 1955-56 Quantity Value Quantity Value Quanti ty Value Quantity Value Liquids (including solutions and pastes) and solids 2 1,578,566 242,519 n.a. 389,370 n.a. 583,772 5,660,772 632,181 Blocks, rods, sheets, and other preformed shapes 212,778 37,250 324,252 46,204 57,644 14,306 61,720 29,188 Total 1 ,791,344 279,769 324,252 435,574 57,644 598,078 5,722,492 661,369 Excluding synthetic fibers, natural resins, bituminc prepared adhesives, synthetic oils, synthetic sausage a Processed to a lesser extent than blocks, rods, shet ling compounds, synthetic rubber and synthetic and laminated plastics. i other preformed shapes (including scrap). istics Materials Consumed, Fiscal Years 1954-55 and 1955-56 (July I to June 30) Molding powders, flakes, granules, etc.: Melamine-formaldehyde Phenol -formaldehyde Urea- formaldehyde Other thermosetting Acrylics Ce 11 u 1 ose acetate Cellulose acetate butyrate Pol yam ides , Pol y thene ( polyethy 1 ene) Styrene copolymers Polystyrene Polyvinyl-chloride: Plasticized Unplasticized V iny 1-ch lor ide copolymers Other thermoplastic Liquid resins and monomers (all types) Sheets, rods, blocks, tubes, plates, and other unfinished forms (all types) Total n.a.— Not available. ilth Bureau of Census and Statistics. 3,256,736 ,437,81*0 15,765 175,920 249,443 399,677 43,266 1,309,512 395,289 489,406 76,360 525,320 316,781 5,213,3 4,910,8 1,267,8 Australia: Plastics Materials Producers Company and address Beetle -Elliott Ltd , 35 Terry Street, Rozelle Sydney, Australia New South Wales Lewis Berger and Sons (Australia) Pty. Ltd., Rhodes, Sydney, Australia New South Wales British Australian Lead Manufacturers Pty. Ltd Cabarita Road, Cabarita Sydney, Australia New South Wales Phenolic resins and molding powders, polyvinylacetate emulsion, urea formaldehyde cement, and melamine formaldehyde binders. Paints, alkyd resins for use in own manufactures. Paints and varnishes, alkyd resins for use in own manufactures. C. S. R. Chemicals Pty. Ltd 1 Mary Street Rhodes, Sydney, Australia New South Wales (Owned by the Colonial Sugar Refining Company Limited, Sydney (60 percent) and Distillers Ltd., of England (40 per- cent)). Jenson and Nicholson (Australia) Pty. Ltd 33 O'Riordan Street Alexandria, Sydney, Australia New South Wales (Branch of an English firm). Cellulose acetate molding powder and flake, polysty- rene. Paints and varnishes, synthetic resin bases for use in own manufactures. Australia: Plastics Materials Producers— Con. Company and address Material Reichhold Chemicals Inc. (Australia) Pty. Ltd... Phenol -formaldehyde and polyester resins for laminat- 68 Mentmore Avenue ing, impregnating, and bonding. Rosebery, Sydney, Australia New South Wales (Subsidiary of an American company). W. Hermon Slade and Company Pty. Ltd Oil-soluble phenol -formaldehyde resins, urea formal- Mandemar Avenue dehyde, and alkyd resins. Homebush, Sydney, Australia New South Wales Tonwell Pty. Ltd Phenol -formaldehyde molding powders and resins. 10 Grosvenor Street Neutral Bay, Sydney, Australia New South Wales W. J. Manufacturing Co. Ltd Phenolic -formaldehyde laminating resins, resins for 9 Macpherson Street casting molds, polythene, laminates (paper, fabric, Mosman, Sydney, Australia and asbestos). New South Wales Imperial Chemical Industries of Australia and Urea -formaldehyde molding powders, methyl metha- New Zealand Ltd. crylate monomer, urea formaldehyde resins, poly- 380 Collins Street vinylchloride, and sheeting. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Monsanto Chemicals (Australia) Ltd Phenolic molding powders; synthetic resins for lami- Somerville Road nated plastic surface coverings, paints, and var- West Footscray, Victoria, Australia nishes, and for bonding of grinding wheels; urea and phenolic resins for bonding plywood, and phenolic resins for core binding; polystyrene plastic molding powders; casein and soya bean resins for plywood. BURMA l CHEMICAL AND RUBBER INDUSTRY REPORT, There is no production of plastics materials in Burma and none is currently contemplated. Plastic products are manufactured from imported materials, primarily of the thermoplastic type (polystyrene, polyethylene, and vinyl materials). There is no consumption of thermosetting resins, although one company contemplates production of phenol-formaldehyde items. Some 6 manufacturers are engaged in injection molding of combs, toothbrushes and cases, rulers, cups, saucers, plates, coathangers, soap dishes, cigarette cases, sign numbers and letters, Christmas decorations, hair clips, belt buckles, shoe horns, letter openers, make-up and powder boxes, and religious ornaments. Consumption of plastics materials by these processors reportedly ranges from 400 to 15,000 pounds monthly. A large but undetermined number of home in- dustries make buttons from polystyrene using hand-operated machines. About 20 small shops use vinyl sheets to fabricate purses, wallets, belts, watch straps, and similar items, by methods somewhat like those performed in handicraft classes. These small industries generally buy materials for fabrication as needed and do not carry stocks. Consumption by shops using vinyl sheets ranges from 400 to 1,000 yards per month. Approximately 435,000 pounds of plastics ma- terials were imported by Burma in 1955. It is estimated that 1956 imports will be substantially greater. The plastics fabricating industry is said to be growing in Burma. The Director of Industries has encouraged plastic product producers by seeking special concessions in the present import regu- lations to allow entrance of fabricating machinery. Fabricators have also been urged to form a council for the industry. In view of the improved economic conditions forecast for next year in Burma, the support of the Director of Industries may be sufficient to ease current restrictions on the import of additional machinery. Plastics materials at present may be imported from sterling and other nondollar sources without a license. There is very little likelihood that im- ports of plastics materials will be permitted from dollar -account countries within the near future. In view of the growing nature of the plastics fabrication industry, the benevolent attitude of the government toward it, and the freedom to import plastics materials from soft-currency areas, United States plastics materials producers with affiliates in soft-currency countries may possibly be in a better position to obtain some share of the future Burmese market. HONG KONG (Reprinted from CHEMICAL AND RUBBER INDUSTRY REPORT, February 1958) Plastics materials, except for some molding powder, are not produced in Hong Kong, but the processing of plastics is reportedly one of the fastest developing industries in the Colony. About 480 metric tons of polyvinyl- chloride molding powder are prepared annually from PVC powder imported from the United Kingdom. Plas- ticizers are imported from Germany and France and stabilizers from the United States. One com- pany which makes 360 tons of molding powder a year uses 60 percent of its output for its own plant. The remaining 40 percent along with the entire production of another firm (120 tons) is sold to small consumers. Acrylic resins are used in the manufacture of light fixtures, signs, buttons, and mah jong sets. Toys, household articles, and toothbrush handles are manufactured from polystyrene. Polyethylene competes with polystyrene and also is used in the manufacture of toys and household accessories as well as for baby bottles, packaging, and containers. Cellulose acetate is used for fountain pen barrels and formaldehyde resins for buttons, cameras, and electrical items. Makers of cheap quality table covers and packaging material consume most of the cellulose nitrate; vinyl resins and alkyds are used principally for paints and coatings. Vinyl resins in extruded form are used for sandals and sandal straps. Plastics materials are sold to consumers on various terms. The large firms obtain credit of from 30 to 90 days. A British company offers a form of credit by storing large orders of materials for which the customer is not required to pay until the goods are withdrawn. Large firms also are able to demand and obtain rebates which usually amount to 3 1/2 percent on substantial orders- Smaller firms must accept much less favorable terms or pay cash. The plastics molding industry in Hong Kong is based on the use of injection-molding machines, most of them small and manually operated. The majority of the semiautomatic machines have a capacity of 6 ounces. The largest injection-mold- ing machine, a 16-ounce model, is not used to ca- pacity because molds and dies are too expensive. Producers who use thermosetting materials (prin- cipally formaldehyde resins) have compression- molding machines, most of which are manually operated. Recently, some extruding machines have been used to make polyethylene tubing. The use of polyethylene has brought about the installation of blow-molding machines in several factories, a process which is replacing injection molding for many products. Some machinery is imported from the United States and Japan, but much of it is of domestic manufacture. Several producers have purchased Japanese machinery and copied it in their shops. The larger factories make their own dies and molds; smaller firms have them made by special- ized shops. Due to the rapid growth of small establishments, mold and die makers have a back- log of orders. All of the plastics articles produced in the Col- ony are small because of the limited capacity of the machines and most of the output is exported, except plastic- based paints. In 1955, exports of plastics goods were valued at HK$ 4,041, 320 (1 HK$ equals US$0,171). Principal markets were the Commonwealth Nations, Malaya, Indonesia, Burma, and the Middle and Far East. Most of the factories are crowded and ineffi- cient, with primitive working conditions as com- pared to United States standards. Production tech- niques are obsolete and designed to take advantage of cheap labor costs, which are estimated at from 10 to 20 percent of the completed product. Manu- facturers appear content to continue present methods as long as labor costs remain low. More than 2,000 workers are employed in the industry; most of them work 10 to 12 hours a day and re- ceive daily wages of between HK$ 2.50 and HK $ 10.00, depending on the skill required and the amount of work completed. Nearly all phases of the industry would benefit from increased use of modern machinery. Re- placement of hand-operated machines by automatic or semiautomatic ones would permit manufacture of many articles which cannot be produced now be- cause of limited machine capacity. Installation of modern machinery in plants using thermosetting molding compounds would enable this branch of the industry to expand into new fields. Most plant operators recognize that increased mechanization would permit more efficient operation, but they are reluctant to make large capital investments for modern equipment when they can continue to use manual machines and take advantage of low -cost labor. Among considerations which limit expansion of Table 109. — Hong Kong's Consumption of Plastics Materials, 1951-57 [Thousands of pounds] Material 1954 1955 1956 (Jan. -Oct.) I957 1 Cellulose acetate 365 1,263 5,494 128 145 771 194 399 1,459 5,337 134 558 1,627 73 461 1,937 8,232 595 662 2,112 75 2,600 Pol st rene Polyethylene, alkyds, etc 3,200 8,166 9,708 14,072 20,433 Hong Kong Trade Statistics. the Hong Kong market for American plastics mate- rials is the favorable tariff rate applied by some members of the British Commonwealth to goods produced in Hong Kong from materials manufac- tured within the Commonwealth under the Imperial Preference Scheme. Therefore, if plastics wares made in Hong Kong are to remain competitive within their principal market, they must be made from a certain percentage of materials of Conr- monwealth origin. Because of the substantial vol- ume of business done in Hong Kong by Common- wealth producers, they are also in a position to offer better service to consumers than are Ameri- can manufacturers. Competition is keen among producers, and, since Hong Kong law does not protect designs, it is com- mun practice for small firms to copy products of larger companies and undersell them» An associa- tion of plastics molders is being formed to curtail this practice, but the large number of small pro- ducers, the competitive market, and the absence of legal restraints will make this task difficult. —Hong Kong: Imports of Plastic Mater ntity in 1,000 pounds; value in Hong Kong dol 1954 1955 1956 Commodity and country of origin Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Acrylic resins including polymethyl methacry late: 195.8 2.6 32.3 746,546 5,289 136,139 52,883 1,572,128 18,196 54,300 96,786 3,343 29,650 1 ,920 II 14 27 9 9 5 7 8 7 6 23 24 55 54 35 17 5 5 2 3 2 5 21,931 95,825 212,150 ■ 8,750 213. 4 949,607 I, 1 ,776,323 H Polystyrene and polyd ichlorostyrene: 1,276,128 6,633 11,313,888 1,581 ,472 9,258 150,681 107,943 6,400 1,638,719 51,779 9,377,066 1,065,372 51,497 1,212,833 64,327 6,947 7 5,413 782 72 53 3 9 8 9 4,863 447 28 679 33 7 3 3 6 5 139 4,661 783 9 1,568 846 6 6 9 6 936 - 14,452,403 ,- 13,468.540 Cellulose acetate and acetobutyrate: 1,190.8 15.8 16.3 2,758,497 39,860 78,115 206.3 22.7 20.0 436,207 60,739 85,793 249.9 29.2 16.5 West Germany 71,302 1,222.9 2,876,472 249.0 582,739 295.6 702 470 Formaldehyde resins including phenol formaldehyde, urea-formaldehyde, and melamine 947.8 16.5 2.2 5.5 287.3 149.0 54.4 1,299,252 47,369 4,120 5,431 428,290 155,962 75,414 27,496 1,185,734 3,852 4,957 59,095 364,935 263,076 36,569 15,173 51 296 247 28 9 7 2 7 9 132 21 103 289 139 61 2 2 7 8 5 2 213 31 95 319 161 72 ... West Germany 804 420 629 840 1,473.8 2,043,334 1,933,391 2 300 - 2 964 UQB Plasticized nitrocellulose (celluloid, 104.8 116.8 84.6 267,206 236,612 185,571 134.6 81.7 142.5 305,750 184,064 320,742 100.5 54.5 108.3 230,948 120,430 251,055 West Germany See footnotes at end of tat . — Hong Kong: [Quantity in I Imports of Plastic Materials, 1954-56— Con. ,000 pounds; value in Hong Kong dollars] Commodity and country of origin I95i| 1955 1956 Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Plasticized nitrocellulose (celluloid, m.9 22.7 6.1 90,505 49,776 13,462 196,1 14 3,370 37,495 78,611 1,600 269,400 16 22 3 6 31 68,839 924,644 12,330 224.7 2.6 0.9 2,400 Total 377.8 845,532 460 5 1,127,746 647.0 1,877,646 Vinyl resins including polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, and acetals: 181.6 3.0 27.6 0.4 411,922 13,452 219,104 600 2,000 361.0 739,758 140,112 83,899 40,589 111,507 2,363 12,097 705,874 167,914 171,274 61,225 204,342 1 17,748 52,120 13,234 Canada 61 53 17 56 8 7 5 5 69 115 1 16 65 29 5 6 3 8 9 3 Japan Italy 213.7 647,078 ? 1,130,325 1 OIQ - 1,493,731 Film scrap: 23.1 23.5 42,064 48,316 33.7 20.8 13.8 39,61 1 17,267 15,121 39.1 3.8 10.9 16.8 38,676 63.4 129,056 68.3 71,999 53.8 Synthetic plastic materials, n.e.s.: 125.8 336.3 110.3 497.8 2.2 141.7 67.2 242,528 595,415 60,177 715,025 4,259 592,077 107,331 633.5 527.3 22.3 194.2 3.4 334.9 25.6 1,338,878 794,481 40,317 348,428 6,384 479,877 53,135 1,351.2 649.9 43.4 127.1 22.0 362.4 73.8 11.7 Un i ted States 1,125,526 Canada 157,993 1,51 1.3 2,316,812 1,741.2 3,061,500 2,641.5 5,167,751 Grand total 12,043.1 24,260,294 12,137.9 23,152,563 17,831.6 33,864,007 Hong Kong trade statistic than 20,000 pounds. )le III.— Hong Kong: Exports of Plastic Materials, 1954-56 [ Quantity t Hong Kong dol I; 1954 1955 1956 Commodity and country of destination Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Acrylic resins including polymethyl methacrylate: 4.9 15,352 2.5 1 1,596 13.3 Polystyrene and polydichlorostyrene: 21.9 14.2 577.8 501.3 117.5 47,091 30,680 1,267,244 1,090,954 253,450 66.4 40.4 202.4 3.0 293.5 134,559 83,138 385,910 6,000 622,458 19.9 23.3 459.3 296.4 60.5 40,074 See footnote at « Table III.— Hong Kong: Exports of Plastic Materials, 1954-56- (jjuantity in 1,000 pounds; value in Hong Kong dollars] I95»V 1955 1956 Commodity and country of destination Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Polystyrene and polydichlorostyrene— Con. 66.0 41.8 20.0 82.5 137,488 98,279 41,700 168,582 6.7 32.1 186. 1 20,160 65,329 374,525 46.2 67.4 30.0 27.9 0.7 Thailand 1 ndo-Ch i na Other 1 56,296 52,325 1,579 1,443.0 3,135,468 830.6 1,692,079 1,031.6 Cellulose acetate and acetobutyrate: 1,274.6 29.4 45.6 2.2 3,051,150 70,554 1 62 , 86 1 9,204 40.3 8.0 4.0 2.7 168,492 11,300 6,104 1 1 , 1 64 25.7 6.6 170.4 5.9 Ta i wan (Formosa ) Tota 1 1,351.8 3,293,769 55.0 197,060 208.6 840,463 Formaldehyde resins including phenol formaldehyde, 157.2 26.9 11.2 9.8 322,227 38,338 19,446 26,891 16.5 5.5 35,587 7,560 21.3 16.3 24.4 88.2 23.6 41.0 1 10,684 Tota 1 211. 1 416,636 126.6 279,511 173.8 345,929 Plasticized nitrocellulose (celluloid pyroxylin): 2.6 5,150 19.6 20.0 22.3 78,300 44,160 85,211 70.1 3.3 10.2 36,147 8 965 Total 12.8 41,297 61.9 207,671 73.4 310,615 Vinyl resins including polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, and acetals: 35.7 30.8 1.8 79,984 1 12,800 6,390 29.6 11.3 26.4 26,136 58,383 68.3 199,174 0.4 1,400 67.3 136,320 Film Scrap: China (excluding Taiwan) 33.2 89,142 2.0 23.8 7.3 61,292 8,135 Tota 1 33.2 89,142 33.1 74,227 Synthetic plastic materials, n.e.s.: 471.2 159.1 63.8 II. 35.5 885,850 473,066 211,260 16,793 84,999 53.7 124,728 31.4 37.7 53,190 77,815 Ta i wan (Formosa ) 18.7 41.5 53,600 105,982 23.1 33.2 44,064 432,231 740.6 1,671,968 113.9 284,310 125.4 607,300 Grand total 3,865.7 8,862,806 1,190.9 2,673,627 1,726.5 4,328,746 ■-Not elsewhere specified. Hong Kong trade statistic Several countries i than 20,000 pounds. Imports of plastics materials approximated 12 million pounds in 1954 and 1955 each, and 17.8 million pounds in 1956, with polystyrenes account- ing for approximately 58 percent of imports. The United Kingdom furnished most of the imports— about 28 percent in 1954, 20 percent in 1955, and 37 percent in 1956. The United States supplied about 9 percent in 1954, 5 percent in 1955, and 9 percent in 1956. Exports of plastics materials were small, amounting to about 3.9 million pounds in 1954, 1.2 million pounds in 1955, and 1.7 million pounds in 1956, virtually all going to neighboring countries. Although officially designated as exports, these data must be interpreted as general trade, includ- ing reexports, with reexports accounting for most of the trade because very little plastics materials are produced in Hong Kong. INDIA During the past decade the manufacture of plas- tics goods in India has grown steadily. About 80 factories and a number of small plastics-produc- ing units operate on a medium or cottage-scale basis in Bombay and Calcutta. Total investment in the industry is estimated at $16 million and employment approximates 15,000, excluding work- ers engaged in the distribution of plastics. Initially the industry was engaged in compres- sion molding in the processing of consumer goods, electrical accessories, and industrial products. In 1948 there were introduced injection molding for the manufacture of combs, soap cases, bangles, and toys; extrusion of rods, tubes, straps and cables; and production of plastics laminates and coated- fabric materials. Among new products being manufactured are polyethylene toys, vacuum- formed rigid sheets for miners' helmets, and polystyrene foam for insula- tion. Two new calendering plants have a capacity of some 800 long tons a year of polyvinyl chloride film and sheets. Phenolic laminates have been manufactured and accepted by industry. Poly- ethylene-coated paper for wrapping is now in regular production and the manufacture of poly- ethylene pipe for water supply, sanitation, and in- dustrial purposes is under consideration. Compression and injection molded products consist of a variety of consumer goods, such as radio cabinets in phenolic, mechanical toys in cel- lulose acetate, standard and long-playing records of high- impact polystyrene, and toilet brushes and containers of polyethylene. Acrylic dentures have been introduced recently in the market. Polyvinyl sheets are used by small-scale units for making wallets, handbags, zippers, book covers, upholstery, uppers for shoes, and allied products. Estimated 1956 production of consumer goods was: Buttons 2.1 million gross Tooth brushes 8.2 million Spectacle frames 1.24 million Fountain pens 7.0 million Phenol -formaldehyde molding powder is the only plastic material produced in the country. The producers are Industrial Plastics (India); Plastic Products of India, Ltd.; Indian Plastics Ltd.; and Bharat Electrical Manufacturing Co. Output of phenol formaldehyde amounted to 382 long tons in 1953, increasing to 472 tons in 1954 and 728 tons in 1955. Capacity for making phenolic molding material is reportedly 1,135 tons a year. Other synthetic resins and molding materials are im- ported. The manufacture of polystyrene is based on col- laboration with the Dow Chemical Co. of the United States. Initially the production will be from im- ported monomer, styrene. The manufacture of styrene will be undertaken when the demand reaches 4,500 tons a year. Imports of synthetic resins and molding powders during fiscal year 1954-55 amounted to 4,973 tons valued at 18,788,159 rupees. (One rupee equals US $0.21.) During 1955-56 fiscal year imports in- creased to 7,270 tons valued at 23,135,781 rupees. Semifabricated plastics materials, finished goods, and leathercloth imports in 1954-55 fiscal year were valued at 9,528,554 rupees and increased to 10,299,571 rupees during fiscal year 1955-56. The United Kingdom in 1955-56 fiscal year sup- plied 57 percent of the total value of imports of synthetic resins, semifabricated plastics materi- als, and plastics finished goods, West Germany 15.3 percent, United States 12.2 percent, and other countries 15.5 percent. The value of imports from the United States about doubled during 1955-56 fiscal year over the 1954-55 period. Table 1 12. — India: Installed Cap icity of Plastic Product Industry and 1955-56 Production Item Capacity Product on (million units) 1955 1956 Compress ion mold ing Extrusion: PVC cables, wires, and flexibles... PVC unsupported sheets Polythene film and layflat tubing tamination (phenolic laminates paper ; textile based) Coating: PVC based leathercloth Nitrocellulose based leathercloth.. long tons , ounces } 2 - 3 c - < million lbs. 0.9 lbs. lillion lbs. 0.3 lbs. I yds. { 27.7 yds. 0.23 lbs. 1.13 lbs. 0.5 lbs. 2.23 yds. 0.47 yds. The following projects for the manufacture of molding powders were in process as of early 1957: Company Indian Plastics Ltd., Bombay Product Program Rattanchand Harjasrai (Plastics) Private Ltd., Amritsar. Sirsilk Ltd., Kagkhaznagar, Hyderabad Cellulose acetate 900 tons a year. . Phenol formaldehyde Expansion by 130 tons a molding powder. year by 1960. Urea molding powder.. 200 tons a year by 1957. Urea molding powder. . Commercial production early 1957. Khilachand Devchand and Company Private Ltd., Bombay. Imperial Chemical Industries India Private Ltd., Calcutta. Polystyrene from imported monomer. Polyethylene molding powder. National Carbon Company (India) Ltd., Calcutta Polyethylene molding powder. 2,700 tons a year in 1957. 3,500 tons a year. 1,600 tons a year by 1958. The export policy of the Government of India has been quite helpful to the industry, for which an ex- port promotion counsel exists. Exports of plastics goods are allowed freely to all permissible desti- nations. Indian plastics articles are now being ex- ported to a number of countries, including Ceylon, Burma, Aden, Zanzibar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the Sudan, Tanganyika, Kenya, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Exports of finished plastics articles declined in value from 1,444,658 rupees in 1954-55 to 762,269 rupees during 1955-56, owing to severe competi- tion from Hong Kong. In order to encourage Indian exports of plastics goods the Government allows a rebate of import duty at specified rates on plastics materials used in the manufacture of plastics goods intended for export. Bombay and Calcutta are the principal centers of distribution for imported and domestically manu- factured plastics articles. Most plastics manufac- turing firms import their requirements of plastics materials direct from foreign producers and there are several U. S. firms handling plastics goods in India. Machinery installed by the industry is almost entirely imported. Attempts have been made by a few engineering firms to make compression and injection presses in a small way. Some of the Table 113. — India: Estimated Requirements for Molding Materials, 1957, 1960-61 [ Long tons] Molding powder 1957 1960-61 Phenol formaldehyde 500 300 2,500 1,000 800 400 200 1,200 Polyvinyl chloride Cel lulose acetate 1,500 800 5,700 plastics molders have established tool rooms and produce their own molds and dies. The more in- tricate molds are mainly imported. It is estimated that 250 molds valued at 1.5 million rupees were imported in 1954 compared with 87 molds valued at 473,000 rupees in 1955, an indication that some progress is being made in the manufacture of molds in the country. INDONESIA i CHEMICAL AND RUBBER INDUSTRY REPORT, There is no production of plastics materials in Indonesia but the manufacture of plastics prod- ucts, all from imported materials, is reportedly a small but growing industry. The country's sig- nificant petroleum output offers an opportunity for eventual manufacture of plastics materials, but this section of the industrialization program has low priority and has been deferred indefinitely. Some chemicals, including alcohol, acetone, ben- zol, and glycerin, are produced. Trade estimates give the following data as cur- rent and potential consumption of the principal plastics materials in Indonesia. Annual consumption (Thousands of pounds) Type Polystyrene Polyethylene Phenolic resins.. Urea resins 2,400 50 200 2,000 400 400 100 It is estimated that some 35 firms use polysty- rene and approximately 10 consume other types of plastics materials. Almost all of these firms are small. Plastics materials are imported in the form of powder and pellets, except casein, which is imported in rough shapes for final machining; polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as a liquid or in film and sheet form; and nylon in reels of filament or as bristles. The plastics -products industry is limited to in- jection and compression molding. There are no extrusion, laminating, or coating operations. Several firms interested in extrusion of plastic sheeting and coating operations so far have been unsuccessful in obtaining import licenses for the necessary equipment. Polystyrene is the principal material imported as it can be easily worked on machines and molds of domestic make. It is used in the manufacture of coasters, ice cream cups, combs, toothbrush handles, and similar items. Phenol -formaldehyde and urea -formaldehyde molding materials are also used for buttons, combs, coasters, etc. Polyethylene was recently introduced into Indo- nesia, as several factories were interested in using it for bottles and in processing protective coverings. Another plastic in the introductory stage is polyvinyl -chloride film and sheet for the manufacture of lamp shades, tablecloths, and up- holstery. Pre-mixed PVC compound is imported by two phonograph -record companies. Acrylic sheets have been imported primarily for use in bus windows. Distribution of Indonesian -made plastics prod- ucts is through the usual wholesaler -retailer channels, although the former may be bypassed in some instances. There is a great deal of reselling among middlemen, especially for the provincial trade, which tends to increase prices already made high by relatively good profit margins at the manufacturing and wholesale levels. There are only two foreign (Netherlands) firms in the Indonesian plastics industry; they account for about 3 percent of total production. There are no branch firms of United States factories and no agreements on the exchange of technical informa- tion. However, resident representatives of U. S. manufacturers give advice to fabricators. Indonesia is not advanced in manufacturing techniques and no improved methods have been developed. Lack of "know-how" among processors is perhaps the greatest deterrent to the develop- ment of the plastics -products industry. The United States ranks fourth after the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany as a supplier of plastics materials to Indonesia. This relative position has been maintained for the past 3 or 4 years and shows no sign of changing markedly. Except for nylon, there is little preference for United States plastics materials over those of competing countries. New machinery and molding equipment is much needed, not only for normal expansion of the in- dustry but to replace hand-operated machines and molds of domestic make. Indonesia is an important potential market for plastics materials and products. The industry is growing slowly because of shortages of domestic capital, foreign exchange, and technical training. Table I II. — Indonesia: Imports of Plastics Materials, 19511-56 [Quantity in metric tons; value in rupiah 1 ] Commodity and country of origin 1954 1955 1956 Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Casein: 20.3 47.5 36.7 20.0 128,953 291,869 191,250 85,566 37.1 63.3 23.3 75.4 25.1 70.3 31.9 20.5 399,986 168,687 111,896 Union of South Africa 445,345 122.7 680,569 124.5 697,638 224.2 materials — cellophane paper in sheets: Netherlands 185,568 447,978 50,821 9,197,220 2.0 15.0 154.5 375.9 52,793 138,265 1,383,130 3,299,220 25.3 130.4 100.3 748.4 32.8 59.8 26.6 319,534 Hong Kong 11.8 West Germany 345,277 3.6 56,818 5.8 83,450 Total 1,126.9 9,938,405 553.2 4,956,858 1,123.6 9,973,453 Other plastics materials: 232.5 190.9 77.3 35.9 1,463,670 1,787,493 860,4 67 327,089 130.7 706.4 93.6 18.9 950,161 6,688,636 600,682 169,785 166.1 330.8 248.9 68.2 Canada 596,705 Table 1 14.— Indonesia: Imports of Plastics Mater ials, 1964-56— Con. ^Quantity in metric tons; value in rupiah 1 ] Commodity and country of origin 1951 1955 1956 Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Other plastics mater ial s— Con. 128.2 77.3 13.1 880,785 781,397 161,123 137.8 111.9 15.8 1,011,183 1,192,318 375,031 271.6 63.6 11.0 Hong Kong Czechoslovak! a 306,271 312,087 Tot 1 755.5 6,265,021 1,578.1 11,018,096 1,190.2 2,005.1 16,883,998 2,255.8 19,672,592 2,538.0 , Djakarta. ! than 20 metri IRAQ Plastics materials are not produced in Iraq, and prospects for their manufacture in the near future do not seem likely. There are only three small factories making finished plastics products from imported plastics materials and sales to these consumers are handled by direct contact with the supplier. One factory in Baghdad has 1 transfer molding and 2 injection molding machines of United States origin. Annual production of this plant is some 10,000 dozen beads; 30,000 combs; and 5,000 cigarette holders. Two other factories. 1 in Baghdad and the other in Najaf, produce beads with hand-operated machines which also perform cut- ting and polishing operations. The combined yearly production of these 2 factories is estimated at 20,000 dozen beads. Plastics materials and products are imported by Iraq with no differentiation shown in import classifications. However, trade sources estimate that imports of plastics materials totaled some 72 metric tons in 1954, primarily of the poly- styrene type. The United States is the second largest supplier of plastics materials and prod- ucts to Iraq. In 1954 the United Kingdom and the United States furnished 54 and 26 percent re- spectively of total imports. The remaining 20 percent was shipped primarily by Germany, Bel- gium, and Czechoslovakia. There is no marked preference for United States plastics materials. Price, quality, and utility of materials imported from the various countries reportedly are about the same. Better credit terms are said to be obtained from the United Kingdom and other European countries. The principal deterrent to the consumption of plastics is the small size of the market. Pros- pects of future growth in the next several years are not too encouraging in this field since Iraq is not an industrial country. Until industry de- velops and is accompanied by a rising standard of living, there is likely to be small demand for plastics materials. Tariff Category 100(a) Quantity (Metric tons) Value (Iraqi dinars) 1 1952 1953 1951 1952 1953 1951 United States Germany Czechoslovakia... Switzerland 31 53 5 8 37 15 3 3 2 2 6 1 39 83 16 6 6 1 1 11,293 21,280 2,491 1,008 117 1,035 119 11,317 18,181 2,188 1,095 1,629 921 818 788 58 13,160 28,071 5,229 1,972 Netherlands 1,101 Other Total 102 99 153 13,676 37,025 52,560 JAPAN The Japanese plastics materials industry origi- nated with the establishment of a phenol -formal- dehyde plant in 1914. Up to the end of World War II, production was limited to phenolic and urea resins, methacrylic resins, alkyds, and vinyl acetate materials. Since then much progress has been made, and commercial production of vinyl chloride and silicone, fluorine, polyester, and melamine resins has been carried on by many large and small enterprises. Demand for the newer types of materials is growing, not only in the synthetic fiber machinery, construction, agri- culture, and other industries, but in replacing older materials for use in manufacturing various products. Technical research on and trial manufacture of polyethylene, polystyrene, and a few special type resins in conjunction with the petrochemical, coal, and gas chemical industries, are under way. This activity may also result in a greater supply of phenol (for phenolic resins), ethylene glycol (for polyester resins), and raw materials for methyl methacrylate. Japan's plastics materials industry has completed its first stage of development and is in the second stage (1956-60), when it may well offer competition to other countries in both tech- niques and scale of operations in all groups of ma- terials. Japan's plastics materials industry is approxi- mately 6-7 percent of the chemical industry as a whole (table 116). Table 116. — Japan: Plastics Materials Industry as Percentage of All Chemical Industries, Fiscal Years I953-55 1 Value of production Al 1 chemical industries Plastics materials industry Percent 1953 1954 1955 418,629 455,343 507,822 25,049 32,194 35,518 6.0 7.1 7.0 Production and Consumption Production of plastics materials including some used for synthetic textiles in Japan has advanced sharply since the early 1950 's, from about 79,000 metric tons in 1953 to 224,000 metric tons in 1956 (table 117). Because Japanese plastics statistics include synthetic fiber production, it is not possible to obtain exact figures on plastics materials used as such, but estimates are approximately 63,000 tons in 1953, 85,000 tons in 1954, 120,000 tons in 1955, and 182,000 tons in 1956. Phenolic resins are produced in large amounts and increased substantially, from about 10,000 metric tons in 1955 to 18,000 metric tons in 1956, but urea resins and vinyls are more important from volume and rate of growth standpoints. In 1953 urea resin output amounted to about 20,000 metric tons and in 1956 it had tripled to approxi- mately 60,000 metric tons. Polyvinyl chloride, one of the principal growth resins, was first introduced into Japan in 1938, but production on a commercial basis was not started until 1941 when Nippon Chisso Hiryo K. K. pro- duced the material chiefly for hose, packing, and linings for military purposes. Recovery from World War II damages by 1947, plus progress made in other countries in the vinyl field, stimulated the industry in Japan to increase production by making better use of its favorable position relating to resources and other factors. Table I 17.— Japar Fiscal Years, 1953-56 : Production of Plastics Materials, Ending March 31 of Following Year, Item 1953 1954 1955 1956 Phenol resins, total 10,150 9 911 11,958 18 116 6,200 2,119 1,831 20,057 6 31 316 882 713 339 7,264 2,422 2,272 42,362 10 3 59 171 l|70 703 8,858 10,179 1,020 16,203 653 2,193 83 8 2,004 13,303 5,31 1 1,008 7,470 10 18 2 23 162 645 532 464 513 13,759 22,970 5,633 36,717 682 197 6,121 372 2,712 6,553 20,773 8,321 2,383 7,961 18 32 8 66 'If 1 Adhesives Polyvinyl chloride Methacrylic resins Silicone resins 661 118 10 3,893 1,229 3,329 12,137 4,497 1 ,903 8,440 , Polyester resins 1,651 4 583 Cellulose acetate 1 8,028 Polyvinyl alcohol 3 V iny 1 idene chloride 1 . . . . Celluloid (cellulose nitrate) 13,053 3,802 8,059 Total 79,190 100,913 147,126 224,334 In 1949 a "Five-year Program for Polyvinyl Chloride" was established (production target of 10,000 metric tons by 1953) by the Ministry of In- ternational Trade and Industry (MITI). The rapid growth in output of polyvinyl chloride reflected the spectacular upsurge of this industry in the postwar period. With the range of use for plastics prod- ucts greatly broadened, PVC soon came to be re- garded as essential to the modern economy. During 1952, a lower level of general business activity combined with increased production gave rise to oversupply in the industry. Manufacturers with extensive capital entered the field, sales com- petition grew, and marginal producers were forced out of business. Consequently, the industry was awakened to the necessity of making active efforts to improve the quality of its products, open up new use applications, and stabilize prices. Prices and quality have attained world levels, and attempts to develop new uses for products have resulted in increased production of rigid resin products, paints, and wider applications of PVC film for agricultural purposes. There are 12 producers of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in Japan, 2 of which, Japanese Geon Co. Ltd. and Monsanto Kasei Kogyo K. K., specialize in Table 118. — Japan: Capacity and Production of Polyvinyl Chloride, by Company, for Fiscal Years, Ending March 31 of Following Year, 1953-54 [ Quantity in metric tons] Monthly capacity 1 1953 1954 Company Quantity Percent of total Quantity Percent of total la lese Geon Co Ltd 650 400 400 300 350 250 200 200 50 50 4,173 2,200 2,564 2,644 1,630 707 969 425 444 395 25.8 4,977 3,598 3,359 3,295 2,242 1,727 1,611 1,357 571 473 New Japan Nitrogenous Fertilizer Co., Kanegafuchi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. Mitsui Chemical Industry Co., Ltd 15 16 10 6 2 2 2 9 6 8 9 7 6 5 - 2 2 5 2 Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd 9 Electrochemical Industry Co., Ltd Toa Gosei Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. ... Nippon Carbide Industries Co., Ltd 8 5 Total 2,850 16,151 100 23,210 100 ; estimates; productic Chloride Manu e data prepared by the Association of Polyvinyl Table I 19.— Japan: Production of Polyvinyl Chloride, I94I-51I 1 [ In metric tons] Year Production Year Production 7 45 77 126 16 0.5 5 1948 1950 1,492 1945 1946 1947 1952 1953 1954 9,669 16,203 23,464 ng year, lyl Chloride Manufj PVC production. The remaining 10 companies are producing PVC as a sideline principally in the production of chemical fertilizers (calcium cyana- mide) or electrolytic soda (caustic soda). In 1954 total monthly capacity of PVC amounted to about 2,850 metric tons. Japan is ranked as one of the major producers of the world with an output of 23,464 tons in the 1954 fiscal year, a growth of about 125 times over the 188 tons pro- duced in 1949, when production was restored on a regular basis for the first time after the war. In 1955 PVC production increased to 36,717 metric tons and in 1956 to 66,661 metric tons. Five of the larger companies account for 75 percent of total output. Production of polyvinyl chloride con- tinues to climb and new plants and equipment are planned in line with the extended program of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. Polyvinyl chloride products which replace those made from natural resins, rubber, leather, tex- tiles, and metals reduce imports of raw materials such as shellac, crude rubber, hides, raw cotton, lead, and iron ore, and thus help save foreign ex- change payments. According to MITI, the replac- ing of these raw materials with PVC enabled the saving of $6,870,000 of foreign currency in 1954 which otherwise would have been allocated to meet payments for imports of these materials. In- creased production of foodstuffs achieved through the use of film for agricultural purposes saved $4,120,000 in imports of rice alone. The total amount thus saved reached $10,990,000. After 5 years, that is, in 1959, the saving is estimated at about $33,510,000. Savings in foreign exchange currency and earn- ing of foreign credits through increased exports are expected to make a marked contribution to- ward improving the international payments posi- tion of the country. Under a 5-year (1956-60) program formulated by the MITI for the development of the plastics in- dustry, the Government made the following pro- visions to facilitate production: Producers of vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, vinyl acetate, polyamide resins, and fluorine resins are exempt from corporation taxes; introduction of foreign techniques for improving production was approved for vinyl chloride, melamine resins, vinylidene chloride, polyamide resins, polystyrene, polyethyl- ene, and acrylonitrile; extrusion and molding ma- chines may be imported duty free; amortization funds, for which an accelerated rate of deprecia- tion is authorized, are excluded from taxation; and the Government's good offices are afforded plas- tics manufacturers requiring bank credits for ex- panding plant facilities. The production of various plastics materials, as envisaged under the program, is shown in table 120. Increased production by the plastics industry in fiscal years 1955 and 1956 was so great that the production of certain types of resins in 1956 equaled or surpassed the goals set for 1958, 1959, or 1960. Consumption of plastic materials in Japan in- creased from an estimated 55,000 metric tons in 1953 to 141,000 metric tons in 1956 and to con- templated consumption of 214,000 metric tons in 1960 (table 121). Large volume increases were expected by 1960 in consumption of urea resin adhesives, rigid vinyl pipe and sheets, alkyd resin paints, polyester construction materials, polysty- rene, and polyethylene. Imports and Exports Although Japan about doubled its production of plastics materials during 1953-56, imports still greatly exceed exports. In 1954 imports were about 1.5 times as large as exports, in 1955 about 2.1 times as large, and in 1956 about 3.3 times (tables 122 and 123). During 1954-56 imports, mainly polythylene and polystyrene, were principally from the United States, 75 to 88 percent, and from Canada, 7 to 19 percent. In 1954 exports were principally to Taiwan about 22 percent, Indonesia 19 percent, Brazil 9 percent, Argentian 9 percent, and Korea and Hong Kong about 6 percent each; in 1955 they went mainly to the United States 24 percent, Taiwan 10 percent, Hong Kong 10 percent, India 8 percent, and China 7 percent. In 1956 Hong Kong took 13 percent, Taiwan 12 percent, India 8 percent, China 7 per- cent, Spain 6 percent, and United States 5 percent. In 1955 and 1956 polyvinyl chloride was exported in larger amounts than any other plastic material. From 17 metric tons, $22,000, in 1952 and 278 metric tons, $219,000, in 1953, exports increased to 2,732.6 metric tons, $2,096,000, in 1956. This favorable development in export activity may be explained by the following factors: (1) In Great Britain, which is a large PVC producer, a law has been enacted to provide for converting belt -conveyors in mines and factories to nonin- flammable PVC material in order to prevent fire disasters caused by rubber belts; as a result, the British supply of PVC fell short of demand and imports were required. Subsequently, Australia and the countries of Southeast Asia, which had been purchasing from the United Kingdom, turned to Japan for PVC products; (2) At a price of about 180 yen per kilogram, Japanese PVC becomes fully competitive in the world market. Table 120.— Japan: Estimated Production of Plastics Materials, Under 5-Year Proqr; Fiscal Years Ending March 31 of Following Year, 1956-60 Material 1956 1957 1958 1959 I960 13,400 50,000 55,000 1,200 300 200 6,200 1,000 ! ,100 14,000 53,000 60,000 1,500 400 300 6,600 1,500 6,300 10,000 18,640 ^5, 000) 46,180 20,780 5,450 1 5 , 000 56,000 65 , 000 2,000 500 400 7,300 2,000 8,000 15,000 24,600 ^.OOO) 59,500 27, 100 6,680 16,000 60,000 70,000 2,500 600 500 8,000 3,000 10,000 20,000 30,500 1 (6, 1+00) 79,000 3 6,200 6,980 16,500 Vinyl chloride Fluorine resins Pol ysty rene Ce 1 1 u 1 ose acetate I0,i+00 1 (3, 1 00) 28,000 12,100 3,427 36,100 1 (7, 000) Vinyl idene chloride Melamine resins 8,800 Total 182,627 244,650 289,080 343,280 401,100 Trade and Industry (MITI). 134 Table 121.— Japan: Estimated Consumption of Major Types of Plastics Materials by Use, Fiscal Years 1953-60 [Quantity in metric tons] Material 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 I960 Grand total 55,060 71,475 105,795 141,400 158,600 177,200 197,000 213 800 10,150 1 9,900 12,000 13,400 14,000 15,000 16,000 16 «>00 Heavy electric machinery 1,650 3,100 1,800 1,000 600 900 1,100 20,600 1,600 3,000 1,800 1,000 600 900 1,100 31,300 1,800 3,500 2,300 1,400 800 1,000 1 ,200 42,400 2,000 4,000 2,400 1,500 800 1,100 1,600 50,000 2,100 4,300 2,500 1,500 800 1,100 1,700 53,000 2,300 4,500 2,600 1,600 800 1,200 2,000 56,000 2,500 4,800 2,700 1,700 800 1,300 2,200 60,000 2 5 2 1 2 65 600 Liqht electric machinery 000 Communication equipment a no Paints 300 Caps 2,900 1,800 1,200 800 300 1,060 1 1,000 1,000 17,000 3,100 1,900 3,500 2,300 3,700 2,800 1,600 2,500 3,750 2,850 1,650 2,550 3,200 4,000 26,000 3,900 3,000 1 ,800 2,800 3,400 4,100 27,000 10,000 65,000 4,000 3,100 1,900 2,900 3,500 4,100 29,000 1 1,500 70,000 -3 2 3 3 32 13 72 Mach ine parts 1,200 1,500 000 18,700 23,000 2,500 5,600 20,000 36,000 24,000 Films for agricultural use 1,500 3,500 2,700 2,000 700 400 3,400 1,300 900 200 100 400 650 2,000 2,500 3,500 5,000 3,300 4,400 2,400' 4,600 1,000 | 1,900 3,300 5,400 5,000 5,600 3,500 5,500 5,100 5,800 4,200 5,600 5,200 6,000 2,700 800 7,500 16,000 8,000 2,400 800 1,800 4,000 2,000 4,700 5,700 5,300 6,200 2,800 900 8,000 18,000 9,000 2,700 900 1,800 4,000 2,500 5 5 5 6 2 8 19 9 2 3 000 3,200 2,200 1,100 300 400 300 600 5,200 6,600 3,100 800 200 2,000 700 6,200 13,000 6,000 1,800 600 1,000 4,000 1,200 7,000 14,500 7,000 2,000 700 1,600 4,000 1,500 Riqid pipes Molded products, rigid 800 800 Radio parts 70 90 90 90 70 140 70 30 70 90 60 80 70 130 70 30 30 80 100 80 90 90 150 70 40 65 120 190 120 150 20 150 230 150 200 50 250 300 230 260 50 250 350 180 130 400 350 370 300 330 50 320 400 220 160 500 450 Machine parts Aircraft 350 50 270 300 110 140 70 | 100 450 250 180 600 Electric wire coating Packing materials for chemicals Pipes for chemical plants Film-tapes, including for electric 7 3 10 3 2 4,000 3 10 5 15 15 6 8 6,000 10 30 20 40 30 10 50 10 6,200 20 50 30 50 50 70 15 6,600 30 70 40 65 65 15 90 25 7,300 40 80 50 80 80 20 no 40 8,000 50 100 60 100 100 20 120 50 8,500 Sheets, including for electric 3,700 Paints 3,700 4,000 6,000 6,200 6,600 7,300 8,000 8 5 00 See footnotes at € Table 121.— Japai Estimated Consumption of Major Types of Plastics Materials by Usi Fiscal Years 1953-60— Don. [ Quantity in metric tonsl Material 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 I960 130 100 1,000 1,500 2,000 3,000 3,500 30 30 20 15 25 25 2,300 80 1 10 150 15 15 30 2,500 160 200 400 60 50 130 4,000 250 300 550 100 70 230 6,300 350 400 700 150 100 300 8,000 500 550 1,000 250 200 550 600 1,300 300 250 1,900 Polystyrene, tota 1 10 000 12 000 100 350 200 1,200 50 610 130 480 240 1,300 150 2,000 150 500 250 1 ,400 200 4,000 300 700 500 1,900 600 7,000 500 900 800 2,600 800 500 10,000 700 1,100 1,000 3,300 1 ,000 800 15,000 3 20 000 400 3 00 900 200 100 000 25 300 700 600 600 400 400 000 Pellets for export Polyethy lene, total Electric wire coating 250 3 00 60 300 1,500 200 400 3,000 400 200 540 1,000 4,500 1,000 500 1,200 1,500 5,500 1 ,500 1,500 2,400 2,500 7,000 2,500 3,000 3,000 3 8 3 500 500 500 9 3 500 500 500 000 500 300 Molded products 200 215 500 3,000 50 100 50 200 60 25 70 60 900 190 130 120 100 1,000 390 230 220 360 1,900 620 470 470 840 2,600 720 5 80 500 1,200 3,000 720 5 80 500 1 ,200 3,400 750 650 600 1,300 3,700 Molded products for domestic market.... Molded products for export 200 50 900 100 1,000 190 1,900 300 2,600 400 3,000 500 3,400 600 3,700 700 30 10 5 60 15 15 3 110 25 30 10 180 30 40 230 40 60 290 50 70 40 50 340 60 90 50 400 70 100 60 Gum 4 Other 5 un ;rproofing of cc ils, etc. 3 F 5 For chemic Marketing, Distribution, and Foreign Investments Plastics materials are distributed through whole- salers. Fabricated products are sold to retailers through wholesalers, except when they are con- signed to subcontractors for further processing. Wholesalers bear the cost of transportation from the producer's plant to consumers. Well estab- lished customers may purchase on 90-120 days credit, but in many cases sales are on a cash basis. No data on the number of consumers of plastics materials are available. They are gen- erally processing factories belonging to plastics materials producers; subcontracting processing factories of plastics materials producers; inde- pendent producers of plastics products; or plas- tics products plants operated by manufacturers of electrical machinery and wiring, construction ma- terials, pipes and tubes, chemicals, sundries, and household utensils. The PVC processing industry in Japan is sepa- rate and independent from that of resin manufac- turers. Some of the processing firms are large size and produce goods for industrial uses, but most firms are medium or small size and produce sundry goods. Major processors produce com- pounds for themselves and make them into finished goods, while minor processors purchase the com- pounds and process them. Many rubber process- ing firms are concurrently carrying on PVC proc- essing or have shifted to it. Smaller processors have been in many cases placed in a relatively subordinate position through dependence on an adequate supply of materials. This is regarded as a weak point of the industry. In general, manufacturers of plastics products are not strong enough financially to import ma- terials on their own account. Many operate on a cottage -industry basis, employ only a few workers, and have no facilities for making direct imports. Leading traders have established connections with most of the materials producers abroad and handle imports for most domestic processors. Only a few foreign firms have invested capital in the Japanese plastics materials industry owing to the government's general opposition to such in- vestments, and no branches of foreign plastics Table 122.— Japan: Imports and Exports of Plastic and Resin Materials, Calendar Years 1951-55 [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 yen] Imports Exports Type 1954 1955 1954 1955 Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Synthetic plastic materials in blocks, sheets, rods, tubes, powder and other primary forms: Synthetic plastic materials, vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate 180.0 (*) 128.0 5.1 176.6 5,124.3 60,324 104 34,077 3,849 104,922 1,746,709 150.4 1.0 22.1 7.2 329.8 1 1,039.4 63,304 63 6,619 4,257 141,931 3,388,700 487.6 856.6 17.6 2,012.6 5.3 276.8 1.3 163,221 608,530 5,900 728,095 3,616 86,472 876 2,547.1 761.4 38.0 1,738.7 6.7 317.8 (M 609,345 492,287 7,804 572,434 2,821 90,995 418 Cellophane sheet Cellulose acetate Synthetic plastic Casein plastic Total 5,611.0 1 ,949,985 11,549.9 3,604,874 3,657.8 1,596,710 5,409.7 1,776,104 rce: Annual Return of the Foreign Trade of Japan. Table 123.— Japan: Imports and Exports of Plastic and Resin Materials, Calendar Year 1956 [Quantity in metric tons: value in thousand yen] Type Imports Exports Quantity Value Quantity Value Synthetic plastic materials in blocks, sheets, rods, tubes, powder and other primary forms: 307.7 119.8 (M 727.1 17.6 412.4 1 1,787.6 7,932.0 24.0 12.3 21.0 1.0 97,633 85,537 69 158,027 10,573 73,050 3,8*3,531 1,938,170 54,203 56,735 17,357 799 30.5 27.2 338.2 2,732.6 168.3 8.0 57.3 5.3 C 1 ) 8,183 10,156 60,422 754,293 52,241 7,459 26,764 1,638 202 Polystyrene Fluorine resins 84.1 C 1 ) 1,009. 1 12.7 13.4 (*) 2,266.3 108.3 35,272 154 680,525 25,121 5,371 5,265 59 743,901 43,917 Celluloid 273.6 51.7 2 106,638 b0,l59 Ce 1 1 u 1 ose acetate Incombustible celluloid excluding those of cellulose nitrate 2.4 1,445.7 1,362 680,937 Synthet ic res ins Total 23,135.9 7,194,785 6,972.8 2,460,943 : the Foreign Trade of Japan. materials manufacturers are located in Japan. In 1956, only 5 foreign firms, all American, have succeeded in acquiring shares in Japanese firms making plastics materials. However, contracts have been made with many foreign firms for the extension of technical assistance in the manufac- ture and processing of plastics materials. Plastics Processing Machinery Compression, transfer, and extrusion machines produced in Japan are reportedly on a par with those made in the United States. The quality of large-sized, injection -molding machines of more than 12-ounce capacity is inferior to that of for- eign made equipment. The 3 manufacturers of injection-molding machines together produce only about 30 units per month. Japanese -made injec- tion-molding machines cost on the average about one -fourth or one -third as much as those im- ported from the United States. Japan must con- tinue to import some machines, but such imports declined in 1955. Table 124. — Japan: Imports of Plastics Molding Machinery, by Country of Origin, Calendar Years 1954-55 [Quantity in units; ca pacity in < i 1 ograms] 1954 1955 Type Quantity Capacity Quantity Capacity United Kingdom... Switzerland United States 'I 31,726 1 ,165 17,759 2 17,713 10,589 5,000 Total 26 50,650 17 33,302 Transfer and injec- tion molding Hong Kong United Kingdom... 1 3 16 249 3,936 290 H.880 1 11,536 9 West Germany United States.... 53,759 22 123,891 9 53,759 Japan: Plastics Materials Producers Name of firm Address of main office PHENOL RESINS: Tokyo Shibaura Denki K. K 77, Horikawa-cho, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Pref. (Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co.) Edogawa Kagaku Kogyo K. K 2,2-chome, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. (Edogawa Chemical Industry Co.) Fudo Kagaku Kogyo K. K 35, 3-chome, Nishirokugo, Ota-ku, Tokyo. (Fudo Chemical Industry Co.) Sumitomo Bakelite Co 6-4, 1-chome, Nihonbashidori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Kobe Denki K. K 15, 5-chome, Kita, Urae, Oyodo-ku, Osaka. (Kobe Electric Machinery Co.) Matsushita Denko K. K Kadoma-machi, Kitakawachi -gun, Osaka Pref. (Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.) Lignite Co 48, 1-chome, Chifune-higashi, Nishiyodogawaku, Osaka. Star-light Kogyo K. K 5, 6-chome, Tenjinbashi-suji, Oyodo-ku, Osaka. (Star-light Industry Co.) Mitsubishi Denki K. K 3, 2-chome, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. (Mitsubishi Electric Mfg. Co.) Asahi Yukizai Kogyo K. K... 5955, Ko, Okadomi, Nobeoka-shi, Miyazaki Pref. (Asahi Organic Chemical Industry Co.) UREA RESINS: Riken Gosei Jushi K. K 7, 2-chome, Chogo, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo. (Riken Synthetic Resins Co.) Yugen Kaisha Daiwa Shoten 144, Nicho-cho, Daito-ku, Tokyo. (Daiwa Shoten, Inc.) Edogawa Kagaku Kogyo K. K 2, 2-chome, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. (Edogawa Chemical Industry Co.) Fudo Kagaku Kogyo K. K 35, 3-chome, Nishirokugo, Ota-ku, Tokyo. (Fudo Chemical Industry Co.) Fuji Kasei K. K 895, 2-chome, Shimoochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. (Fuji Chemical Co.) Nisshin Boseki K. K 11, 3-chome, Yokoyama-cho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, (Nisshin Cotton Spinning Co.) Tokyo. 138 Japan: Plastics Materials Producers— Con. Name of firm Address of main office UREA RESINS-Con. Sumitomo Bakelite Co 6-4, 1-chome, Nihonbashidori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Toyo Koatsu Kogyo K. K 1-1, 2-chome, Muromachi, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, (Toyo Koatsu Industries, Inc.) Tokyo. Matsushita Denko K. K Kadoma-machi, Kitakawachi -gun, Osaka Pref. (Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.) Nihon Yuki Kagaku Kogyo K. K 9, Higashikozu, Minamino-cho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka. (Nihon Organic Chemical Industry Co.) Yamaroku Kasei Kogyo K. K 1, 3-chome, Furuichi-Ordori, Joto-ku, Osaka. (Yamaroku Chemical Industry Co.) METHACRYLIC RESINS: Mitsubishi Rayon Co 8, 2-chome, Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Fuji Kasei K. K 3141, Shimura-Hasune-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo. (Fuji Chemical Co.) K. K. Musashino Kagaku Kenkyusho 24, 1-chome, Omiyamae, Suginami-ku, Tokyo. (Musashino Chemical Research Institute, Ltd.) Dainihon Toryo K. K 38, Nishinoshimono-cho, Konohana-ku, Osaka. (Dainihon Paint Co.) VINYL CHLORIDE: K. K. Tekkosha 4-8, 3-chome, Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. (Tekkosha Co., Ltd.) Dainippon Seruroido Kabushiki Kaisha 1, Teppo-cho, Sakai-shi, Osaka Pref. (Dainihon Celluloid Co., Ltd.) Denki Kagaku Kogyo K. K 10, 1-chome, Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. (Electro Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) Nippon Carbide Kogyo K. K 2-1, 2-chome, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. (Nippon Carbide Industries Co., Ltd.) Nihon Geon K. K 2, 1-chome, Shiba Tamura-cho, Minato-ku, Tokyo. (Japanese Geon Co., Ltd.) Toa Gosei Kagaku Kogyo K. K 8, 2-chome, Shiba Tamura-cho, Minato-ku, Tokyo. (Toa Gosei Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) Mitsui Kagaku Kogyo K. K 1-1, 2-chome, Muromachi, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, (Mitsui Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) Tokyo. Monsanto Kasei Kogyo K. K 4, 2-chome, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. (Monsanto Kasei Chemical Co.) Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo K. K 27, 4-chome, Honmachi, Higashi-ku, Osaka. (Kanegafuchi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) Sumitomo Kagaku Kogyo K. K 22, 5-chome, Kitahama, Higashi-ku, Osaka. (Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) Shin Nihon Chisso Hiryo K. K 1, Soze-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka. (New Japan Nitrogenous Fertilizer Co., Ltd.) Nisshin Kagaku Kogyo K. K 3, 2-chome, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Osaka. (Nisshin Chemical Industry Co. Ltd.) SILICONE RESINS: Shinetsu Kagaku Kogyo K. K 2-1, 2-chome, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. (Shinetsu Chemical Industry Co.) Tokyo Shibaura Denki K. K 77, Horikawa-cho, Kawasaki -shi, Kanagawa Pref. (Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co.) FLUORINE RESINS: Osaka Kinzoku Kogyo K. K 47, Umeda-machi, Kita-ku, Osaka. (Osaka Metal Industry Co.) ALKYD RESINS: Kansai Paint Co 27, 5-chome, Fushimi-cho, Higashi-ku, Osaka. 139 Japan: Plastics Materials Producers— Con. Name of firm Address of main office ALKYD RESINS-Con. Nihon Melamine Co 46, 4-chome, Shiba-shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Nihon Paint Co 10, Urae-kita, Oyodogawa-ku, Osaka. Nihon Reichhold Kagaku Kogyo K. K 3, 3-chome, Nihonbashidori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. (Nihon Reichhold Chemical Industry Co.) Tokyo Paint Co 50, 3-chome, Showa-machi, Kita-ku, Tokyo. Nihon Yushi K. K 3, 2-chome, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. (Nihon Oil and Fat Co.) POLYESTER RESINS: Hitachi Seisakusho K. K 4, 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. (Hitachi, Ltd.) Riken Gosei Jushi K. K 7, 2-chome, Chogo, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo. (Riken Synthetic Resins Co.) Fuji Tsushinki Seizo K. K 1015, Kamikodanaka, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa (Fuji Communication Apparatus Mfg. Co.) Pref. Nihon Shokubai Kagaku Kogyo K. K 1, 4973, Mitabi-cho, Suita-shi, Osaka Pref. (Japan Catalytic Chemical Industry Co.) Nihon Reichhold Kagaku Kogyo K. K 3, 3-chome, Nihonbashidori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. (Nihon Reichhold Chemical Industry Co.) CELLULOSE ACETATE: Dainihon Celluloid Co 1, Teppo-cho, Sakai-shi, Osaka Pref. Mitsubishi Rayon Co 8, 2-chome, Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Shin-Nihon Chisso Hiryo K. K 1, Soze-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka. (New Japan Nitrogenous Fertilizer Co.) VINYL ACETATE: Kurashiki Rayon Co 2, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka. Nihon Gosei Kagaku Kogyo K. K 11, 2-chome, Azuchi-machi, Higashi-ku, Osaka. (Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry Co.) Nihon Carbide Kogyo K. K... 2-1, 2-chome, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. (Nippon Carbide Industries Co.) Showa Gosei Kagaku Kogyo K. K 2, 1-chome, Kayaba-cho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, (Showa Synthetic Chemical Industry Co.) Tokyo. Denki Kagaku Kogyo K. K 10, 1-chome, Yuraku-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. (Electro-chemical Industrial Co.) Shin-Nihon Chisso Hiryo K. K 1, Soze-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka. (New Japan Nitrogenous Fertilizer Co.) POLYVINYL ALCOHOL: Kurashiki Rayon Co 2, Umeda, Kita-ku, Tokyo. Nihon Gosei Kagaku Kogyo K. K 11, 2-chome, Azuchi-machi, Higashi-ku, Osaka. (Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry Co.) Nihon Carbide Kogyo K. K 2-1, 2-chome, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. (Nippon Carbide Industries Co.) Daido Kasei Kogyo K. K 40, 3-chome, Minatomachidori, Ikuta-ku, Kobe. (Daido Synthetic Chemical Industry Co.) Mitsubishi Rayon Co 8, 2-chome, Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Kanegafuchi Boseki K. K 123, Tomobuchi -cho, Miyakojima-ku, Osaka. (Kanegafuchi Spinning Co.) Sekisui Kagaku Kogyo K. K 1, Soze-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka. (Sekisui Chemical Co.) CAPROLACTAM: Toyo Rayon Co 1, 2-chome, Muromachi, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Toa Gosei Kagaku Kogyo K. K 8, 2-chome, Shiba-tamuracho, Minato-ku, Tokyo. (Toa Gosei Chemical Industry Co.) 140 Japan: Plastics Materials Producers— Con„ Name of firm Address of main office CAPROLACTAM-Con. Ube Kosan K. K 1, 1976, Ogushi, Ube-shi, Yamaguchi Pref. (Ube Industries Co.) Ninon Soda Co 1, 4-chome, Akasaka-omotemachi, Minato-ku, Tokyo. VINYLIDENE CHLORIDE: Kureha Kasei K. K 1, Kanda-zaimoku-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. (Kureha Chemical Co.) Kureha Kagaku Kogyo K. K 14, 10-chome, Tomisawa-cho, Nihonbashi, Chuo- (Kureha Chemical Industry Co.) ku, Tokyo. Toa Gosei Kagaku Kogyo K. K 8, 2-chome, Shiba-tamuracho, Minato-ku, Tokyo. (Toa Gosei Chemical Industry Co.) Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo K. K 27, 4-chome, Honmachi, Higashi-ku, Osaka. (Kanegafuchi Chemical Industry Co.) Asahi-Dow Co 10, 1-chome, Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. MELAMINE RESINS: Riken Gosei Jushi K. K 7, 2-chome, Chogo, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo. (Riken Synthetic Resins Co.) Fuji Kasei K. K...„ 895, 2-chome, Shimoochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. (Fuji Chemical Co.) Nisshin Boseki K. K 11, 3-chome, Yokoyama-cho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, (Nisshin Cotton Spinning Co.) Tokyo. Toyo Koatsu Kogyo K. K 1-1, 2-chome, Marunouchi, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, (Toyo Koatsu Industries, Inc.) Tokyo. Kansai Paint Co 27, 5-chome, Fushimi-cho, Higashi-ku, Osaka. Nihon Paint Co 10, Urae-Kita, Oyodogawa -ku, Osaka. Nihon Tokushu Toryo K. K 6, 8-chome, Toshima, Kita-ku, Tokyo. (Nihon Special Paint Co.) Dainihon Toryo K. K 38, Nishinoshimonocho, Konohana-ku, Osaka. (Dainihon Paint Co.) Sumitomo Bakelite Co 6-4, 1-chome, Nihonbashidori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. ION-EXCHANGE RESINS: Mitsubishi Kasei Kogyo K. K 4, 2-chome, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. (Mitsubishi Chemical Industries Ltd.) Zeolite Kogyo K. K 50, Mitsuya-shinmachi, Higashiyodogawa-ku, (Zeolite Industry Co.) Osaka. Tokyo Yuki Kagaku K. K 4-1, 5-chome, Toshima, Kita-ku, Tokyo. (Tokyo Organic Chemical Co.) POLYETHYLENE (Production to commence in or after 1958): Mitsui Sekiyu Kagaku Kogyo K. K 1-1, 2-chome, Muromachi, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, (Mitsui Petrochemical Industry Co.) Tokyo. Sumitomo Kagaku Kogyo K. K 22, 5-chome, Kitahama, Higashi-ku, Osaka. (Sumitomo Chemical Co.) Showa Denko K. K 34, Shiba-miyamoto-cho, Minato-ku, Tokyo. (Showa Electric Industry Co.) POLYSTYRENE (Production to commence in or after 1958): Asahi-Dow Co 10, 1-chome, Yuraku-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Monsanto Kasei Kogyo K. K 4, 2-chome, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. (Monsanto Chemical Industry Co.) LEBANON Plastics materials are not produced in Lebanon, and there are no plans for their manufacture. A small plastics processing industry, consisting of two factories, is now operating in Beirut using im- ported phenolic, urea, and polystyrene molding powders. There is reportedly no other consump- tion of plastics materials. One plant began operations in 1945 with an annu- al capacity of between 30 to 40 metric tons, but actual yearly production has averaged 12 metric tons of finished products. A total of 12 skilled and unskilled workers are employed. This plant oper- ates three compression -molding machines and one preforming machine, all of British make, but uses no transfer -molding, injection-molding, or conti- nuous-extrusion machines. Phenolic and urea molding powders are used for the manufacture of plates, tumblers, coffee and tea cups, ash trays, bottle caps, poker chips, and similar articles. The other firm, which started to operate early in 1956, uses approximately 10 metric tons of poly- styrene annually for the manufacture of combs and buttons. Manufacture of toys and miscellaneous household articles is contemplated. Four German- made injection -molding machines were imported, but only one is in operation. This firm employs a total of 4 skilled and unskilled workers. In 1955, imports of plastics materials in various forms amounted to about 94 metric tons and in- creased to 146 metric tons in 1956 (table 175). West Germany and Great Britain supplied a large share of these imports. Exports of plastics are insignificant, amounting to approximately 2 metric tons in 1955 and 1 metric ton in 1956. No foreign funds are known to have been invested in the Lebanese plastics industry. There are no U. S. or other foreign branch factories, and there is little probability of any substantial development of the industry in the near future. This is due largely to the relatively small number of consum- ers and the absence of possibilities for export to other countries on a significant scale. Plastics materials are imported into Lebanon free of duty and no import licenses are required. A duty of 25 percent ad valorem is collected on finished products and, in addition, a municipal tax of 3 percent ad valorem. Port dues average 1-1/2 percent of the value of the goods. There are no specific Government decrees or regulations affecting products, labor conditions, consumption, or trade in the plastics field. Machinery for the manufacture of plastics is not made in Lebanon. Lack of machinery or equipment has not hampered the expansion of the industry or use of plastics materials. Table 125.— Lebanon: Imports of Plastics and Resin Materials, by Country of Or [Quantity in metric tons; value in Lebanese pounds 1 ! Commodity and country gin 1955 1956 (Juan tity Value Quantity Value 93.6 288,481 146.0 lutions of nitrocellul , whatever the solvent )se at 2 ..degrees of Collodions (so 0.5 1,220 0.2 5.5 22,260 17.8 ares, or rectangular 2 , nted or surface-worked ndustry uses for small 1.2 0.2 2 I.4 5,788 854 6,588 0.0 11.5 Plates, pri Tubes for i .;,;:: 158 40,242 Italy ( 3 ) 1.3 2.3 1.8 1.7 5.2 and ( 3 ) untries 2 1.4 2.7 6,588 9,030 lose derivatives 2.2 0.5 31.6 6,604 2,426 93,194 3.8 1.4 29.6 untries 2 Artificial pla gelatin or st stic materials with a ,..!.. f casein, rectan ular Sheets sa ( 2.5 ) 6,776 3,284 2.6 ( 3 ) 1.9 0.7 8 141 West Ger Other co untries 2 3,492 2,681 Table 125. — Lebanon: Imports of Plastics and Resin Materials, by Coun [Quantity in metric tons; value in Lebanese pounds 1955-56— Con. 1955 1956 Commodity and country of origin Quantity Value Quantity Value Artificial plastic materials with a basis of casein, gelatin or starch— Con. Plates, printed or surfaced-worked 6.2 21,582 9. 1 33,522 G t B ' t ' 2.0 ( 3 ) 1.9 1.2 5.1 4,292 3.0 1.0 1.9 2.9 0.3 2.9 5 6 8 II 1 570 F 270 8,954 4,300 4,036 17,202 72? 55fi Oth t i 2 T b f r the b i ndu tr 7?0 2.7 1.8 10,570 4,312 1 .2 5 775 W t G 1.6 0.1 15.0 - 5 50 Other countries 2 0.6 17.8 2,320 47,634 ?00 0th includina simDlv polished plates 663 West Germany 1.9 5,075 ( 3 ) 1.0 1.5 9.1 ( 3 ) 1 .9 1.5 98.4 24 R?4 ( 3 ) 7.6 7.1 ( 3 ) 1.2 56.0 530 20,334 18,750 H85 N th 1 d 244 3,475 171 ,807 Plastics material phenol base 158 13.8 54,602 7.7 27 7.9 5.9 ( 3 ) 31,430 23,057 115 4.2 3.5 15 3.5 13 2.1 1.6 8 5 6 Frosted opaque or colored unprinted or unfigured on the 1.0 0.6 0.2 3 In square or rectanqular sheets or plates 2 0.2 3.3 1 ,064 14,267 0.0 12.4 Sheets printed or fiaured surface 1 .0 9.6 1.8 8.9 36 3 28 3.0 0.3 3.3 13,337 7,969 West Germany ( 3 ) 1.7 3.2 2.9 5 3 1 1 7 ( 3 ) 1.2 2.1 35.4 1,905 6,064 93 , 905 0th r ntri 2 64.1 125 West Germany 12.2 1 1.8 1.0 2.6 3.4 3.2 1.2 ( 3 ) 37,484 2fi,946 1,060 5,085 6,171 7,690 9,094 375 27.5 1.5 1.5 5.3 8.8 ( 3 ) 51 42 2 8 3 Belqium : 2.20 Lebanese poun 2 Several countries, 3 Less than I metric lual US$1. e of wh ich i MALAYA (Reprinted from CHEMICAL AND RUBBER INDUSTRY REPORT, February 1958) Plastics materials are not produced in Malaya and prospects for establishing their manufacture soon are dim, as the Malayan economy is develop- ing very slowly. Investors are cautious in ex- ploiting potential opportunities, because of a vari- ety of factors, especially uncertain political con- ditions. Consumption of plastics materials depends upon imports. A small percentage of imports is re- exported to Borneo, Indonesia, and Hong Kong. Imports have risen steadily in the past few years; their value was M$2.69 million (1M$ equals US$0,327) in 1953, MS 4.0 million in 1954, and M$5.38 million in 1955. The trend is still up- ward, but processors and fabricators complain that the market is not large enough to enable them to compete successfully with plastics items produced more cheaply in Hong Kong and Japan. Competi- tion is said to be keen, especially in the large market for novelties, toys, eating utensils, etc. Enthusiasm for all types of plastics products may in time generate more interest in the industry by investors, especially if import tariffs are imposed in Singapore. The use of vinyls and polyethylene is expected to increase because of expansion of plastics processing by several firms who have recently entered the field. The plastics-processing industry is mostly in Singapore, with a few small fabricators in Kuala, Lumpur, and Penang. A number of small cottage- size firms machine and process acrylics and cel- lulose plastics into signs, nameplates, fittings, toys, and similar items. Several larger firms manufacture bottle and jar tops and containers. Two large firms have recently begun manufacture. One is making plastic tubing under contract with a British manufacturer who supplies polyethylene and extrusion machinery. Estimated consumption amounts to about 1,000 pounds per day. An Ameri- can firm has recently installed extrusion equip- ment for making battery jackets, using raw mate- rial and machinery from its United States affiliate. The amount of foreign investment in the industry probably does not exceed 25 percent, representing British, Canadian, and Australian interests. The American firm has the only foreign branch factory- There are no agreements for the exchange of tech- nical information other than informal business arrangements between foreign manufacturers and Table 126. -Malayan Imports of [Quantity in CWT, various processors. The establishment of the Singapore Polytechnic and further development of the Colombo Plan may result in the exchange of technical information and assistance. The United States supplies about 30 percent of the market for plastics materials. In 1954 and 1955 it accounted for 33 and 29 percent, respec- tively, and in the first half of 1956, 31 percent. The wide variety and availability of materials and products in the United States is an important asset in this trade, although shipping delays and ex- change restrictions are limiting factors. Plastics are extensively replacing older mate- rials in Malaya. This development involves most- ly imported, finished products, but stimulates the receptiveness of the domestic market to new items which may later be manufactured in Malaya. United States products, according to trade sources, are automatically accorded a trade advantage because of the prestige of the "Made In U.S.A." label, ac- companied by a guarantee of good quality. How- ever, this advantage is somewhat limited at times by higher prices, delays, greater shipping costs, dollar exchange restrictions, and easier credit arrangements made by British and German com- petitors. The British through tradition and their representatives in Singapore enjoy a solid market which it is difficult to penetrate. West Germany reportedly also has an advantage because of gen- erally low prices, especially for polyvinyl chloride. Licenses for direct imports of plastics mate- rials from the United States are issued somewhat freely, thus avoiding the exchange problem. How- ever, in those comparatively infrequent cases where exchange is not granted, materials may be imported via Hong Kong provided the Malayan im- porter makes payment through his Hong Kong bank in sterling-area currency. The United States ex- porter invoices the goods to a Hong Kong inter- mediary who obtains the sterling-dollar exchange and forwards the goods to Malaya. There are no import duties on plastics mate- rials in Malaya, Singapore and Penang being free ports. Both the Singapore and Federation govern- ments are trving to encourage industry as an official policy. Such moves as a protective tariff in Singapore probably will not affect plastics ma- terials originating in the United States, except finished goods. Labor costs are high already and are rising. This factor, plus the general political and social unrest which permeates the Malayan scene, retards more rapid expansion of the plas- tics industry. Plastics Materials 1954-56 value in M$! Commodity and country 1954 1955 1956 (Ja .-June) Quant i ty Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Urea-formaldehyde: United Kingdom West Germany 10.0 681 269.9 18,832 2H5.0 7.8 20, 4i+8 1,798 Total 10.0 681 269.9 1 ,832 252.8 22,246 Table 126.— Malayan Imports of Plastics Materials 1 951-56— Con. [Quantity in CWT, value in M$] I95i| 195 1956 (Jan. -June) Commodity and country Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Phenol-formaldehyde: 341.3 6.2 68.7 52.0 39,621 725 19 8,878 7,265 765.6 8.9 96.8 10.8 6.4 98,652 2,073 11,314 1,251 690 510.1 27.6 3,412 Hong Kong 113.6 Canada th rl d Italy and Sardinia 78.6 9,062 168.3 56, 508 649,346 260, 153 294,476 8,380 888.5 5,098.8 6,077.6 1,214.7 75.1 113,980 1, 140,776 686,300 428, 187 15,440 729.9 1,824.2 2,095.5 718.5 Polyvinyl chloride: 1, 574.7 959.6 60.1 87,893 186 59 .2 12.4 " „,„ | , n ' 89 . , 2,896 B 1 ' 4.7 1.4 11.6 11.3 6.6 1,345 589 3,282 2,093 1,270 9.4 ! 2,472 Japan 1 9 France and Corsica Austria .4 294 3.3 726 5,786.8 3.0 26.2 1,236,907 1,667 4, 171 27 12,290 12,994.4 46.5 2,367,420 10,410 6,965.2 1,382,257 Polystyrene: 14.2 21.9 1,760 2,868 103.4 Belgium France and Corsica Italy and Sardinia Hong Kong Japan 6.2 1,325 2.5 ! 1,003 17.2 j 4,343 4.0 I 318 4.4 1,239 132.6 34.4 14.4 60.4 18, 155 15,285 5,756 23,665 82.6 125.1 16.5 7.7 3.8 15,038 33,910 5,575 4,312 1, 112 2, 153 Polyethylene: United Kingdom 23.4 8, 134 United States 20.9 10,773 6.0 .2 Japan 2.0 6.0 5.5 2,433 1,588 1.9 181 115.4 1,319.7 76.8 34.4 20.0 210.6 46, 544 24,898 9,216 5,038 30,720 169.7 1,932.0 44.3 7.2 167.8 5 1 , 083 51 1,241 13,642 2,028 30,098 96.2 1, 176.4 1 1.6 West Germany Denmark 20.9 1.6 Total 1,661.5 443,318 2, 153.1 557,603 1,210.5 325,437 Table 126. —Malayan Imports of Plastics Materials 1954-56— Con. [Quantity in CWT, value in M$] Commodity and country 1954 1955 1956 (Jan. -June) Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value 6.3 36.2 5.7 2,097 9,426 1,756 .8 29.8 10.2 13.5 397 586 7,730 2,336 1,684 43.8 9.3 26.3 United States 12,333 4.0 1,287 48.2 3,477.1 781.8 5,603.7 1.0 13.0 50.7 11.6 34.0 957.4 25.8 2.8 258.0 13,279 875,453 126,889 976,768 428 8,494 11,618 1,598 307 10,685 76,972 31,803 727 7 1 , 497 55.7 2,710.0 879.3 6,678.7 12,733 655, 576 154,380 1, 133, 104 83.4 28.8 44.5 3,778.6 United Kingdom 12,636 Switzerland 25.8 37.4 43.1 .5 7.9 1,480.1 346.4 10,479 13, 563 16, 194 541 1,709 140,843 46,708 3.0 2,232 .7 16.1 501.8 123.0 9.9 Canada. 26,767 1,562 S ede 231.8 .3 66,797 230 997 1.9 11,218.0 2, 193,239 12,447.4 2,241,121 4, 508.7 639,306 -Malayan Exports of Plastics Materials 1951-56 [Quantity in CWT, value in M$] 1954 1955 1956 (Jan. -June) Commodity and country Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Urea-formaldehyde: Ph en ol -formal dehyde: 1.0 401 Sumatra 9.0 1.0 401 9.0 Polyvinyl chloride: Hong Kong 151.2 29.5 49.7 153.6 32.2 60.2 5.0 30,222 6,094 7,820 3,024 40,377 7,670 8,146 981 97.9 48.9 65.3 54.4 50.5 24.3 74.7 24.6 45 12 12 7 6 26 9 073 760 413 850 044 577 151 233 26.7 43.5 48.0 502.7 36.0 7.8 67.1 39.7 12,640 Brunei 1,397 26,755 Total 492.5 104,334 440.6 138 101 771.5 150,404 Polystyrene: .1 .1 60 50 .2 Other .3 no .3 no .2 .2 57 Table 127.— Malayan Exports of Plastics Materials 1954-56— Con. [Quantity in CWT, value in M$] 1951 1955 1956 (Jan. -June) Commodity and country Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Polyethylene: 337 80 2,591 ; +h .5 7.9 119 1,568 1 8 2 or or 53 .8 229 2 160 Total 9.2 1,916 8 6 3,171 53.1 8,076 Acrylics: 15.6 53.7 6.1 13.8 .5 1.5 1,725 8,850 1,621 3,828 115 1,525 ? North Bornec 8 25 12 10 8 3 6 2 2,023 6,020 5,539 1,761 2,713 1 ,266 S aw 1 19.6 235.0 11.8 5,680 Th ' 1 d „ 31,909 S t 6,792 Other T t 1 91. 5 20,691 18,089 271.6 18,617 Cellulose n.e.s.: 10.8 1! .9 8.1 1,901 2,588 1,991 20 3.8 1,112 1,163 5.3 2,133 . . 5,881 Total 30.9 9,500 9.7 2,575 15.6 8,836 Plastics materials, n.e.s.: 34.5 .2 21.5 31.1 51.1 1 1.2 107.1 5.1 6,000 551 7,778 6,663 15,701 5,531 15,010 812 2,558 2,238 1,738 7,911 39,991 11,873 25,613 28,028 5 16 37 160 21 168 203 2 7 8 2 5 6 50 3 5 2 2 9 5 2 6 952 139 787 26,708 Brunei 1,720 Java 3,300 216 265.7 58,082 122,950 63 fi 31,122 lalayan Statistic NEW ZEALAND The plastics industry in New Zealand is vigor - ous, progressive, and enterprising. Within the limits of a comparatively small market (population about 2 million), the purchasing power of the peo- ple is relatively high and consumption of plastics goods has steadily increased. Plastics materials used by the industry during the 12 months ended March 31, 1955, were valued at $2,933,398, consisting of $2,577,784 for molding materials and $355,614 for plastic sheeting, case- in, and other materials. Total output of plastics products was valued at $7,379,838. No data are available on the quantity of plastics materials used in 1955. With the exception of casein, practically all plas- tics materials are imported. One manufacturer produces molding powders from phenol and other imported materials for its own use. Two firms manufacture buttons from their extruded casein rods. This output is captive and not available to other manufacturers. In 1954, imports of thermo- setting molding powders amounted to 1,393,280 pounds and other molding powders, 2,261,168 pounds. Imports of plastics sheets, rods, and tubes, including casein, amounted to 1,801,408 pounds. Total imports in 1954 amounted to 13,- 704,656 pounds. The chief supplier of plastics materials to New Zealand is the United Kingdom. , During 1955-56 import classifications were changed. In 1956 the United Kingdom supplied 48.9 percent of plastics materials to New Zealand, followed by 25.6 percent from the United States, 9.5 percent from Australia, 5.1 percent from West Germany, and the remainder from other countries. There are no exports of plastics materials. A number of manufacturers have arrangements with overseas firms for the exchange of technical information and of dies for plastics manufacture in New Zealand under royalty agreements. Sever- al companies receive technical information relat- ing to the manufacture of reinforced fiberglass plastic products from U. S. producers. No infor- mation as to the extent of foreign investment in the industry is available. Table 128.— New Zealand: mporl s of PI as tics and Resi i Materia s, 1953-54 tity i n pounds; v alue in NZt 1 ] 1953 1954 Type and country of origin Quanti ty Value Quantity Value Holding powder: Thermosetting, etc: 799,568 94,792 1,251,040 2,912 98,672 20,496 20,160 32,368 3,800 Un i ted States 336 50 3,431 832,272 98,642 1,393,280 Other: 1 ,068,256 30,016 80,528 1,480 2,128 10,976 20,160 128,414 4,111 13,227 57 329 87 4,216 1,877,232 Austral ia 202,496 2,128 3,472 2 1 , 952 153,888 174 Total 1,216,544 150,441 2,261 ,168 Thermoplastic resins for varnishes: 136,864 929,376 15,845 95,619 384,496 2,758,336 896 211,344 137,984 3,360 31,024 157,696 2,800 1,727 15,640 375 1,257,760 129,206 3,496,416 320,230 Other synthetic resins: 1,552,992 1,680 159,083 140 3,035,760 1,008 2,240 836,864 186,256 21,056 190,176 944,160 60,928 71,919 4,217 205,968 784 18,998 43 896 6,720 215,936 140 128 7,508 3,248 475,776 2,990,064 262,176 4,752,384 Casein, etc. (sheets, rods, and tubes): United Kingdom 72,688 896 1 7 , 987 95 39,424 1,680 8,310 73,584 18,082 41,104 Other plastics (sheets, rods, and tubes): 793,296 211,171 1 ,352,064 5,936 112,112 19,264 560 61,600 5,488 672 5,712 448 336 896 195,216 57,120 35,280 1,344 18,368 4,704 224 672 15,230 11,049 367 3,277 2,129 150 201 15,030 1,435 21,504 1,980 450 448 149 47 069 932,960 245,703 1 ,760,304 Grand total 7,303,184 904,250 13,704,656 1,610,881 I Report — Extern I Trade of New Zealand, 1953-54. Table 129.— New Zealand: Imports of Plastics and Resin Materials, 1955-56 [Quantity in pounds; value LNZ] Type and country of origin 1955 1956 Quantity Value Quantity Value Thermosetting resins, including acryl ic, phenolic, urea, cellulose, etc.: Dry form: Un i ted Ki ngdom 1,157,328 242,592 409,808 206,288 15,808 1,193,360 9,968 427,310 36,198 37,558 28,970 5,294 142,274 3,718 2,472,288 12,096 198,240 1 15,248 42,224 1 ,687,280 3,360 220,084 West Germany 18,059 3,328 6,265,152 681,322 4,530,736 Liquid form: 501,981 211,024 42,000 59,136 37,471 24,974 4,710 5,989 786,128 135,968 57,904 35,168 1 12 89,936 36,288 5,430 8,569 880,432 78,574 1,105,216 Thermoplastic resins, including alkyd, melamine, etc.: Un i ted K i ngdom 1,774,864 73,472 857,920 499,968 125,552 5,040 508,480 209,944 3,196 72 , 674 44,794 10,534 2,131 67,298 2,322,096 563,248 279,664 257,936 146,496 294,406 29 ' |5 1 1142 1 ,162,896 135 654 3,845,296 410,571 4,732,336 563,656 Liquid form: 451,584 1,665,104 28,1 12 130,928 42,784 41,969 140,571 2,741 12,113 4,087 471,856 696,864 68,320 219,968 1,519,616 54,524 63,737 7,056 19,043 11,878 West Germany 2,318,512 201,481 2,976,624 156,238 41,552 5,488 11,327 807 21,280 336 4,801 88 Tota 1 47,040 12,134 21 ,616 4,889 Celluloid and similar materials: Plain, in sheets, etc., celluloid and cellulose acetate: 923,440 249,760 109,424 18,592 51,520 169,008 213,009 59,338 25,328 5,377 13,006 44,442 517,440 529,088 3,136 12,208 10,304 165,312 42,336 2,576 15,344 186,816 3,584 107,375 127,379 989 4,501 2,201 44,431 10,268 659 2,365 40,421 Austral i a Belgium 50,848 38,752 123,088 6,048 11,216 6,672 38,383 1,244 Japan Other 1,740,480 418,015 1,488,144 341,229 Other: Un i ted K i ngdom 158,144 39,200 34,663 7,442 Sweden Table 129.— New Zealand: Imports of Plastics and Resin Materials, I955-! [Quantity in pounds; value kNZ ] Type and country of c Celluloid and s 1 1,200 35,616 9,968 1,530 8,148 4,678 303,296 65,822 Pyroxylin: 231,168 17,472 18,256 39,645 3,209 2,244 212,912 Austral ia West Germany 34,496 3,934 266,896 45,098 247,408 1,118 60 France and Monaco 276 236 178 1,605 3,473 Other synthetic plastics materials: Rods and blocks: 5,376 9,856 1,560 762 15 96,320 43,120 1,120 15,232 2,337 140,560 Sheets, hard, plain or corrugated: 1,073,856 72,800 23,744 15,120 10,304 1,456 337,771 9,471 4,948 1,699 2,055 614 768,544 155,568 17,248 Un i ted States 30,352 672 6,760 1,197,280 356,558 972,384 Sheets, pliable: 737,296 73,360 28,224 137,648 13,888 303,408 8,512 178,559 20,226 5,185 28,729 4,974 44,766 3,195 1,298,640 148,960 8,400 217,840 35,280 179,648 7,952 1,125 2 223 1,302,336 285,634 1,896,720 Sponge material: 62,384 61,488 11,200 21,056 12,539 13,203 20,048 7,392 8,064 7,563 3,870 3,259 Sweden 9,420 35,504 14,692 156,128 41,753 Tubes: 14,784 21,952 12,656 4,274 6,051 3,248 4,480 19,824 3,136 2,550 5,635 1,082 Austral ia 49,392 13,573 27,440 Other primary forms: 22,736 18,266,848 2,589,284 18,318,048 2,385,483 Statistical Report— External Trade of New Zealand, 1955-56. 150 Forty-two manufacturers are known to be pro- ducing a considerable range of plastic goods, some of the more important of which are kitchen and table ware, toilet requisites, radio cabinets and components, garden hose, cold-water pipe, bottle caps, electrical switches, plugs, and other electrical components, and plastic -coated wires and cables. Auckland, the Hut Valley, and Christ- church are the centers of the plastics industry. Plastics molding powders are exempt from im- port licensing from all sources of supply. Other plastics materials, resins, and fiberglass may be imported without license from sterling sources; dollar licenses are granted where it appears that some advantage would accrue to the manufacturer from such purchases. In general, most plastic products which are also manufactured in New Zealand are subject to import licensing, and li- censes are are usually denied in such cases in order to protect domestic industry. The tariff on thermoplastic and other resins is 3 percent; this rate applies to most other materi- als, although in some cases there is British pref- erence accorded. No regulations pertaining to manufacture, em- ployment, etc., apply exclusively to the plastics industry in New Zealand. Polymers (N.Z.) P.T.Y. Ltd., the New Zealand affiliates of Polymer Corporation PTY, Ltd., Homebush, New South Wales, were expected to have begun operation in late 1956 of their new factory at Otahuhu near Auckland, for production of a wide range of synthetic resins for surface coatings and for the plastics industry. PAKISTAN (Reprinted from CHEMICAL AND RUBBER INDUSTRY REPORT, April 1957) Plastics materials are not produced in Pakistan and there are no present plans for their manu- facture. However, the plastics products industry developed quite rapidly after partition in 1947, although no factories existed before that date. In 1952 there were 89 concerns manufacturing plastics goods, according to a report by the Paki- stan Tariff Commission. Of these, 16 were con- sidered relatively large-scale operators, while the remaining 73 were on a cottage -industry basis. Of the 89 factories, 65 firms (15 large- scale and 50 cottage -scale basis) were located in Karachi and 10, all on a cottage -scale, were working in the Punjab area. The remaining 14 plants, including 1 large-scale and 13 cottage - scale operators, were established in East Pakistan. The industry is said to have expanded considera- bly since that time and is estimated now to include more than 175 firms. Twenty-five of these are large-scale (23 in Karachi and 2 in East Pakistan), while the remainder are cottage -industry units using locally produced, hand-operated molding machines. The larger factories have imported modern machinery, primarily injection- molding machines and some compression and extrusion equipment. Some blow -molding of polyethylene is done for bottles and toys. One firm manufacturing poly- vinyl- chloride -coated textile materials reportedly has an annual production valued at $210,000. A few factories produce electrical switches, ceiling roses, pendant holders, and cutouts; several produce fountain and ball-point pens. Other firms produce combs, soap boxes, toothbrushes, buttons, beads, tumblers, and bracelets. Only molding materials are consumed in sig- nificant quantities; trade estimates are shown in table 130. Pakistan's tight foreign exchange situa- tion is the factor limiting full utilization of pres- ent capacity, which reportedly would require some 3,000 tons of plastics materials annually. About 261 long tons of molding materials were imported in 1951. During the past 5 years imports have increased considerably to meet consumption estimates. No data are available, but members of the trade state about 60 percent comes from the United Kingdom, 25 percent from Italy, and 15 percent from the United States, Canada, France, and Germany. Exports of finished plastics goods are being en- couraged by the government. Plastics manufac- tures are included in Export General License No. 7 to all destinations. They are also included in the Export Incentive Scheme which permits the exporting firm to use a certain percentage of its earned foreign exchange. In addition, there is a rebate of excise duty on exports. Small exports of plastics items have been made to some Middle Eastern and East African countries, but the ex- port potential is limited by Pakistan's stringent import restrictions on plastics materials and the fact that domestic demand for these products is not fully satisfied. The Government of Pakistan, upon recommenda- tion of the Tariff Commission, has extended pro- tection to the plastics industry for a period of 3 years ending March 10, 1958. The following measures have been approved: 1. Imposition of a protective import duty of 60 percent ad valorem on switches and 50 percent ad valorem on plugs and cutouts, ceiling roses, and pendant holders. 2. Conversion of the revenue import duties into protective duties on combs, hair slides and grips, bangles, toothbrushes, soap boxes, buttons and conical tubes, and fountain pens and ball- point pens. 3. Abolition of the customs duty of 37 1/2 per- cent ad valorem on molding powders. 4. Granting of full rebate of duty paid by manu- facturers of fountain pens on import of fountain- pen nibs, gold-plated nibs, and refills. 5. Provision of technical assistance and advice by the Department of Supply and Development to factories manufacturing electrical accessories and fountain and ball-point pens. 6. Requiring government departments and can- teens to purchase domestically produced plastics goods. Existing molding capacity in the industry re- portedly is not fully utilized and expansion of pro- duction is limited by the inability to import suffi- cient plastics materials rather than by any lack of machinery. Table 130. — Pakistan's Annual Consumption of Molding Materials (Estimated) [In long tons] Item Quantity 700 ° yS Y * ° yV ' y 80 70 1,000 .—Pakistan's Import of Plastics Molding Powders, I952-&2 1 lantity in pounds; va upees] 2 1950 1951 Type Quan- tity Value Quan- tity Value Pol St 147,005 82,471 9,184 3,808 1,792 896 39,941 12, 158 200,548 106,001 22,531 7,358 3,336 2,128 41,442 12,636 388,677 150,938 2,250 35,168 2,116 6,554 Cellulose acetate Methyl methacry late Ethylene polymers Polyvinyl chloride Urea-formaldehyde Phenol-f orma Idehyde 344,761 9,743 65,476 4,459 6,800 297,255 395,980 585,703 1,053,259 1 Latest statistics available. 2 One rupee equals $0.21. 3 Unidentif ied trade name products. Source: Pakistan Tariff Commissior PHILIPPINES, REPUBLIC OF Plastics materials are not produced in the Philippines and plastics processors are dependent upon imports. The feasibility of undertaking pro- duction of polystyrene, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride has been investigated, but the market has not been large enough to support domestic pro- duction economically. A plant to manufacture urea formaldehyde for adhesives in plywood, expected to produce about 10 tons a day, is planned for operation early in 1957. Synthetic adhesives have become accepted generally in the domestic manufacture of plywood and consumption is expected to increase several fold with expansion of the plywood industry. Annual consumption of plastics materials (primarily in powder, flake, or pellets) is esti- mated at about 3 million pounds. The principal types used in order of importance are polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, urea and phenolic resins and cellulose acetate. Polyethylene is gaining rapidly in use; sheets and sheeting also are im- portant but consumption is difficult to estimate. Imports amount to about 2.5 million pounds an- nually, but fabricators also purchase locally ex- truded sheets in undeterminable quantities. Demand for plastics materials is expected to increase, particularly for molding and extruding materials, which could increase 10 to 30 percent annually for 3 or 4 years. The major obstacle to expansion is shortage of dollar exchange and consequent restrictions placed on processors in obtaining foreign plastics materials. However, as processors enter production of newer plastic products and replace finished items which are normally imported, it is expected that exchange allocations for plastics materials will be in- creased. Total output of the plastics industry (molders, extruders, fabricators, etc.) was valued at $4,950,000 in 1955, compared with $1,250,000 in 1954 and $900,000 in 1953. The United States is the major supplier of plastics materials to the Philippines, accounting for over 90 percent of synthetic resins and more than 60 percent of sheeting materials. European and Japanese competition reportedly is in- creasing. British polyethylene, urea resins, and polyvinyl chloride, German and Italian polysty- rene, and Japanese urea resins have begun to make inroads on the supply position of American materials. Imports of synthetic resins valued at $235,120 in 1953 increased to $651,598 in 1954 and $1,057,747 in 1955. The value of sheets and sheeting materials imported in 1953 amounted to $1,284,788 and increased to $1,568,081 in 1954 and $1,608,516 in 1955. One of the first important uses of plastics in the Philippines was as flexible straps for the wooden- soled slipper or bakya. These straps, formerly made of low-grade leather or rubber from used inner tubes, now are almost all fashioned from colored plastic sheeting. Plastics have been substituted for glass in containers, seashell in buttons, rubber in combs, wood in radio cabinets, conventional textiles in uphol- stery and for leather and vegetable fibers in handbags and belts. Other applications of plastics, particularly film for packaging, vinyl floor tiles, irrigation pipe, and as a basis for paints, are promising fields for further ex- pansion of the plastics industry. On a quantity basis, imports of synthetic resins amounted to 295,312 kilograms in 1953, 910,099 in 1954, and 1,512,937 in 1955; imports of sheets and sheeting amounted to 940,183 kilograms, 1,133,- 436, and 1,113,204, respectively. Exports of plas- tics materials are negligible. TAIWAN (FORMOSA) Production of plastics materials in Taiwan is on a small scale. Only one manufacturer produces urea and phenolic resins, primarily for the ply- wood and molding industries. In 1955, production of phenolic molding powder amounted to 19,845 kilograms and urea resin to 66,130 kilograms. Urea-resin glue for textile finishing is usually prepared by finishing plants. Several factories are preparing to manufacture alkyd resins for their own consumption. A new polyvinyl -chloride plant, sponsored by a Formosan plastics corporation, is expected to produce 1,200 metric tons of polyvinyl chloride a year; operations were scheduled to begin in 1957. Process equipment for the plant was ob- tained with United States funds and other capital is being supplied by the corporation. An agreement to furnish technical service has been made with a United States firm. Consideration also has been given to the establishment of a plant to make phenol- and urea-formaldehyde resins from do- mestic raw materials. Taiwan does not export plastics materials. Im- ports of cellulose nitrate, polyvinyl chloride, and phenolic and urea molding compounds come from Japan. Polystyrene, polyethylene, cellulose acetate, and nylon bristles are imported mostly Table 132.— Taiwan's Imports of Plastics Materials, 1955 [Ki lograms] Type Polystyrene Polyethylene Cellulose acetate Nylon bristle Urea molding compounds Phenolic molding compounds.... Cellulose nitrate Polyvinyl-chloride resins Polyvinyl -chloride compounds.. Total 377,741 28,686 2,637 4,510 128,567 5,441 16,728 189,679 448,994 50,498 16,522 6,386 131,985 7,780 37,064 170,927 141,371 15,942 3,155 89,749 1 Excluding r s for plywood, textile finishes, 2 1956 January-June. Source: Reported by the e to Industrial Development from the United States; some come from West Germany and other countries. There are 125 plastics -processing factories in Taiwan; 48 are in the Taipei area, 3 in Hsinchu, 9 in Taichung, 3 in Chiayi, 59 in Tainan, and 3 in Kaohsiung. Capital investment amounts to NT$ 17,758,000 (NT$24.78 = US$1) and em- ployment to 2,193. Molding is the largest branch of the processing industry; 65 plants are engaged in injection molding and 32 in compression molding. Continuous extrusion operations are performed in 22 plants, calendering and coating in 7, and cellulose -nitrate processing in 16. There are 8 firms engaged in toothbrush manu- facturing. There are approximately 745 machines in the processing industry, 440 of which are injection- molding, 184 compression-molding, 41 extrusion machines, 4 calenders, 4 coating machines, 31 machines for processing cellulose nitrate, and 41 used in the manufacture of toothbrushes. About 10 percent of the injection -molding and about 20 percent of the compression -molding machines are the automatic type; others are manually operated. Half of the toothbrush manufacturing equipment is automatic and half manually operated. Most of the extrusion machines and all calenders were imported. Three of the coating machines were made in Taiwan and one in Japan. Consumption of plastics materials by processors amounted to 1,012 tons in 1955. Manufactured products were valued at NT $55, 835,000. Molded articles represented 43.5 percent of the value of processed products; polyvinyl sheets, films, and coated cloth, 22.9 percent; insulated wire and cables, 15.5 percent; extruded products, 6.6 per- cent; and brushes, including toothbrushes, 11.5 percent. With demand for plastics materials increasing, lack of foreign exchange for imports is the main difficulty confronting the industry. Domestic manufacture of plastics materials is believed to deserve consideration and government and in- dustry would welcome foreign investment and technical assistance. Table 133. — Ta Imports of Plastics Materials, 1955 [Kilograms] Type Cellulose-nitrate sheet Synthetic resins Phenolic-molding compounds.. Urea molding compounds Other molding compounds Polyvinyl acetate Nylon bristle Polystyrene Total 45,385 409,726 131,701 I 16,242 19,312 105,155 9,529 220,500 1,057,550 THAILAND (Reprinted from CHEMICAL AND RUBBER INDUSTRY REPORT. November 1957) Plastics materials are not produced in Thailand and those needed for the manufacture of plastics products are imported. The United States ranks first, followed by Japan, West Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, as a supplier of plastics materials to Thailand. Polystyrene accounts for about 70 percent of the imports, exclusive of plastic sheets. The United States supplies about 50 percent, which brings the total value of plastics imports from the United States to approximately 33 percent. Imports of other plastics materials from this country are much smaller. Import duties on plastics are generally 25 per- cent ad valorem except on leatherlike sheets, on which a duty of 5 baht (1 baht equals US$0.0483) per kilogram is charged. At the end of 1955, duties were raised on imports of toothbrushes, toys, and similar items to protect domestic industry. There are no quota restrictions on plastics materials, but there are a few on plastic combs, rulers, soap- boxes, chopsticks, and clotheshangers. Polystyrene is the principal molding material imported, and consumption, estimated at 600 to 700 tons annually, is expected to increase. There are about 80 manufacturers in Thailand, several of whom are equipped with injection-molding ma- chines of Hong Kong, British, German, and Ameri- can origin. A large number of firms are family- operated shops using hand presses. The main consumers of phenolic molding powder are aluminumware manufacturers who use 70 per- cent of imports. The remainder is consumed by a number of small manufacturers (cottage industries) for bottle lids, small containers, and electrical ap- pliance items. It is estimated that total consump- tion of phenolics amounted to 150 tons in 1955. About 60 percent was imported from England and 40 percent from the United States and Germany. Polyethylene has been imported into Thailand for several years. Consumption, which amounts to about 120 tons a year for the manufacture of tum- blers, nursing units, water flasks, bottle caps, children's slippers, toys, etc., is expected to in- crease. About 10 years ago vinyl film from the United States appeared on the market, but more recently the Japanese product has superseded it because of lower prices. Consumption, estimated at 1.2 mil- lion yards per year, has been declining as con- sumers prefer oilcloth. There are two sizes of fabric-backed vinyl sheets on the market in Thailand. The thinner sheets have a gage of 0.2 millimeter and a width of 36 to 42 inches and the thicker sheets a gage of 0.5 to 0.8 millimeters and awidth of 48 to 52 inches. About 90 percent of the thinner size in 40-yard rolls was imported from Japan in 1955 and 10 per- cent from Europe. The Japanese quotation is 10-15 percent cheaper than that of other countries. The thicker size in rolls of 30-60 yards is supplied mostly from Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom, with 50 percent, 30 percent, and 20 per- cent, respectively, of the market. The Netherlands product is reportedly of higher quality and more moderately priced. The United States material is not imported because of its higher price. The sheets are used for upholstery in furniture and automobiles as well as for traveling bags and lin- ing material. It is estimated that 240,000 yards of fabric -backed vinyl sheeting are sold annually and consumption is expected to increase because of greater usage in the upholstery business. Leatherlike vinyl sheeting supplied in a gage from 0.2 to 0.5 millimeters and 48-52 inches wide, in rolls 30-60 yards, is imported, 80 percent from Germany, with the balance from United Kingdom, Japan, United States, Italy, and the Netherlands. It is expected that the Japanese product, because of cheaper prices and more ornate design, will be- come more popular. These vinyl sheets are used mainly for ladies' handbags, traveling cases, port- folio bags, satchels, wallets, and cap and hat lin- ings. Total consumption, estimated at about 300,- 000 yards a year, is expected to decrease about 10 percent because of a changeover to leather by some consumers. Consumption of patent vinyl sheeting for edging purposes has declined to an annual 60,000 yards in the past several years. About 80 percent of the imports are from Germany and 20 percent from Japan. The Japanese have been lowering their prices to compete with Germany; the United States material is not competitive because of a 20-per- cent higher price. Japanese vinyl films have taken the place of United States products in the past 10 years because prices are 20 to 25 percent cheaper and the Japanese give the same service on small as on large orders. Japanese and German vinyl man- ufacturers appoint their own representatives in Thailand who look after their interests more sat- isfactorily than do the general importers repre- senting plastics firms from other countries. Table m.— Thai land: Imports of Plasl Materials, 1956 [ Quantity in metric tons; value i n 1,000 ba ht 1 ] Material and country of origin Quantity Value Cel lophane paper: Hong Kong 24.1 203.7 11.5 10.0 6. 1 209.7 15.6 60.9 2.2 614 3,287 294 188 104 5,103 306 1,096 62 31 6 5 D 7 F n West Germany 9 .. V ,.. . 8 0th S Total 545.2 11,090 Table 134.— Thailand: Imports of Plastics Materials, 1956— Con. [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 baht 1 ] Celluloid sheet, plate, and block i any other unmanufactured form: Singapore United Kingdom West Germany Netherlands United States Other Total Synthetic plastic material, n.e.s. unmanufactured form: Hong Kong S i ngapore Un i ted K i ngdom West Germany Italy Netherlands United States Other Table 134.— Thai land: Imports of Plastics Materials, 1956 — Con. [Quantity in metric tons; value in 1,000 baht 1 ] Material and country of origin Quantity Value Leather, artificial: SinaaDore 21 55 20 3 6 58 1 5 8 3 8 9 7 3 9 739 1,649 670 71 130 271 1,756 391 1,868 58 . _ ! n United States 245 3 - 8,183 - 1,596 5 31 ,089 land customs statistic WORLD SURVEY OF PLASTICS Chapter VII Africa Africa was unimportant as a plastics materials producing, importing, exporting, and consuming area in 1955-56. Production was under a million pounds, and virtually nothing was exported. Im- ports approximated 11 million pounds, about 1 per- cent of world imports, and consumption was about 12 million pounds, or 0.2 percent of world con- sumption. Although Africa was relatively unimportant in world plastics production, trade, and consumption, United States exports of plastics materials to this area have been increasing, from 2.9 million pounds (1.0 percent of total LJ. S. exports of plastics and resin materials) in 1953 to 11.6 million pounds, 2.8 percent, in 1956, of which about 9.5 million pounds in 1956 were for the Union of South Africa. The Union of South Africa was the only producer and was by far the principal importing and con- suming country in this area. Egypt does not produce plastics and resin mate- rials but depends on imports of these materials, primarily from Italy, United Kingdom, United States, and West Germany. Plastics materials are not produced in Egypt. Some 15 firms are engaged in the manufacture of various products from materials imported pri- marily from Italy, United Kingdom, United States, and Germany. In recent years imports of resins and synthesized and molding materials have shown an upward trend. During 1955 a total of 1,008 tons of plas- tics materials was imported from all sources representing an increase of 18 percent over 1954. About 40 percent of imports in 1955 were poly- styrene materials; 17 percent, urea -formaldehyde resins; 10 percent, phenol formaldehyde; 10 per- cent, polyethylene; 5 percent, polyvinyl com- pounds; 8 percent, vinyl sheets; 3 percent, ac- rylic sheets; and 7 percent, other plastics mate- rials. The use of polyethylene is said to have been steadily increasing in the past several years. In 1955, in addition to the "Imports of Resins, Synthesized and Moulding Materials," "Imports of Rods, Tubes or Sheets of Celluloid, etc, Not Worked" amounted to 136 tons; "Imports of Pieces of Celluloid, etc., Roughly Finished," amounted to 198 tons, and "Imports of Other Wares, of Celluloid, etc, Not Specified," 163 tons. Injection and compression molding is conducted by practically all firms, while extrusion opera- tions are the specialty of medium to large size firms. Coating is done by one firm, the Egyptian Plastics and Electrical Industries, S.A.E., Alex- andria, which produces plastics sheets for auto- mobile and furniture upholstery. No firm is en- gaged in laminating work. Various plastic articles manufactured in Egypt are exported to nearby Arab countries, particu- larly Sudan and Saudi Arabia. In 1955, total ex- ports amounted to 51 tons valued at E£ 35,988 compared with 46 tons valued at E£ 32,261 in 1954, and 59 tons valued at E£ 43,888 in 1953. Egyptian manufacturers market their plastics products through wholesalers, department stores, and other large retailers. In addition, several producers have their own outlets which also serve as showrooms. The sale of plastics materials to product man- ufacturers is generally conducted through com- mission agents in Cairo and Alexandria, who book orders for direct shipment from the manufacturer abroad to the local consumer. In some instances, (157) commission agents themselves will order small quantities to take care of immediate local re- quirements. Plastics materials of United States origin are well known among Egyptian consumers. They have a high reputation as quality products able to meet price competition of foreign suppliers. However, in view of Egypt's efforts to preserve dollars for economic development projects, few import licenses are being granted to cover plas- tics materials from the United States. -Egypt: Imports of Synthetic Res [ Quant i ty i n k i lograms; ' and Mold ing Mater ue in EE 1 ] 1953 1954 1955 Country Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value 83,071+ 9,988 23,000 7,875 200,268 12,402 297,704 2,000 1 12,999 1,000 17,528 2,262 2,945 2,517 47,494 1,392 68,1 15 488 25,277 273 165,957 20,000 14,178 127,696 3,000 169,162 1,024 301 ,814 1,030 53,980 700 32,757 2,449 3,251 26,708 394 37,523 183 71,257 205 8,097 269 192,152 3,400 26,007 156,299 14,904 385,352 3,193 183,520 Italv Sweden 579 42,260 1,180 5 086 750,310 168,291 864,841 183,093 1,008,267 1 0ne Egyptian pound is equal to $2.85. Source: Egyptian official foreign trade statistic: Table 136.— Egypt: Imports of Plastics Products, 1953-55 [Quantity n kilograms value in E £] 1953 1954 1955 Product and country of origin Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Rods, tubes, or sheets of celluloid, etc., not worked: 16,879 23,854 3,513 855 9,936 13,535 2,073 558 13,262 18,853 4,725 7,616 8,468 8,340 3,138 4,302 32,744 43,379 35,350 24,418 19,263 Total 45,101 26,102 44,456 24,z48 135,891 66,549 Pieces of celluloid, etc., roughly finished: 1 ,494 16,93 1 100,421 75,896 2,211 5,994 996 5,058 39,926 30,261 2,369 5,634 6,082 17,074 57,981 55,229 3,849 6,936 2,656 3,876 23,250 23,336 3,941 3,875 6,270 5,100 1 10,944 62,847 3,535 9,645 3,217 Czechoslovakia 1,219 W t G r Un i ted States Other 3,124 4,378 202,947 84,244 147,151 60,934 198,341 Other wares of celluloid, etc., not specified: 10,326 17,682 35,093 4,970 7,857 9,518 26,746 13,629 29,779 5,487 1 1,584 19,328 17,840 22,398 23,626 18,760 5,753 15,968 16,312 26,668 20,926 22,455 28,796 8,825 18,527 20,990 13,213 42,067 38,412 6,109 23,744 18,286 Un i ted States ■9,795 Other 23,692 90,847 96,744 123,673 142,509 162,821 UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA There are only two producers of plastics and resins in South Africa, one in Umbogintivini, Natal, and the other at East London, Cape Province. The Natal plant manufactures polyvinyl chloride and the East London firm produces phenol- and cresol- formaldehydes, alkyds, urea- and resorcinol-form- aldehydes for use in paint, lacquer, adhesives, brake linings, and grinding wheels. Production statistics are not available, but it is estimated that fabricators use only 10 percent of domestically produced materials and that 90 percent of con- sumption is imported. It is anticipated that the new $130 million oil- from-coal plant of the South African Coal, Oil and Gas Corporation Limited (SASOL) will be a source of plastics materials. The plant, which uses the Fischer-Tropsch process, is expected eventually to produce annually 250,000 imperial gallons of methyl-ethyl ketone, 1.4 million gallons of aro- matic solvents, 6,000 short tons of crude phenols, and 50,000 tons of ammonium sulfate. Plastics ini- tially available from SASOL will be primarily molding powders. During 1955, the United States supplied 30 per- cent of the approximately 8.3 million pounds of plastics materials imported, ranking second to the United Kingdom which furnished 47 percent. About 15 percent of imports was supplied by Germany and Canada and the remaining 8 percent mostly by Italy, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands. There are about 65 fabricators, of which 7 are large, 18 medium-size, and the remainder small firms, with a total investment of £ 2 million in land, buildings, machinery, tools, and operating capital. Some of the firms have direct connec- tions with overseas manufacturers, especially the United States; and they welcome American assist- ance and techniques in developing the use of plas- tics products. The number of employees in the industry is nearly 2,000, consisting of 367 Euro- peans and 1,620 nonEuropeans. Nearly 85 percent of the firms employ less than 100 workers. The value of plastics production amounted to £ 2.25 million in 1954 and increased to between £3.5 and 4.0 million in 1955. Thermosetting molders, using phenol-formaldehyde and urea- formaldehyde, were the largest consumers of molding materials in 1954. Polystyrene con- sumption was next in importance, followed by polyvinyl chloride and vinyl copolymers, poly- ethylene, and cellulose acetate. While there is strict control of imports into the Union of South Africa to conserve currency re- serves, imports of raw materials and machinery for the plastics industry can be obtained readily. Customs tariffs on plastics materials range from free to 15-percent duty, according to type of ma- terials (tariff Item No. 205), and a 10-percent duty is applied to other plastics "not elsewhere enumerated" in the tariff (Tariff Item No. 335). These rates are accorded only to imports by reg- istered manufacturers who are granted rebates, but imports from the United States automatically obtain the same rates whether the materials" are imported by registered manufacturers or not. Fabricated articles are more seriously affected, depending upon whether they are consumer goods or imported for industrial purposes. (Further in- formation on South African import restrictions and customs tariff is given in World Trade Informa- tion Service reports, entitled "Licensing and Ex- change Controls -Union of South Africa" and "Im- port Tariff System of the Union of South Africa," published by the Bureau of Foreign Commerce, U. S. Department of Commerce.) There are no special government regulations re- garding the plastics industry. The plastics-products industry is not hampered by lack of machinery. Molding machines used in South Africa are contemporary in design with the equipment of other countries. The industry has developed with little outside assistance and is ex- pected to grow with the country's industrial expan- sion. During 1956 the United States share of the ap- proximately 8.3 million pounds of plastics materi- als imports (value SA£1,166,158) increased to 36 percent while the United Kingdom share decreased to 42 percent. Germany and Canada each supplied about 6.6 percent of total imports, Netherlands 5.2 percent, and Italy 1.8 percent. Though official statistics do not reveal any ex- ports, reexports amounted to 10,515 pounds in 1955 and 10,390 pounds in 1956. Table 137.— Union of South Afr Imports of Artificial Plastics Materials "Not Elsewhere Enumerated" [ Quantity in pounds; value in £ : ] Type and country of origin 1956 1955 Quantity Value Quantity Value Celluloid in sheets or rolls: 12,617 520 780 326 11,107 1,987 20,952 6,880 3,457 199 288 3,276 749 6,101 2,414 6,538 France 583 2,608 295 1,501 8,274 14,995 German Japan Un i ted States 3,743 55,169 16,602 34,794 Other (excluding celluloid) in blocks, slabs, tubes, 1,041,01*1 286,050 874,308 34,856 361,395 158 3,098 97,792 28,829 2,450 6,241 8,564 466,099 120,287 6,950 49,840 43,961 1,399 9,307 12,554 740 333 589,313 2,606 15,354 13,637 725 1,892 5,305 185 102 193,333 Switzerland Japan 4,776 416,578 Total 2,224,540 639,476 1,839,045 484,070 Other (except celluloid) in powder, granule or flake form: 2,420,790 204 88,800 9,095 497,588 92,459 428,103 4,300 60,080 4,272 244,800 50 7,518 1,980 42,418 10,713 37,980 395 5,355 1,786 3,033,399 Canada 189,380 France Germany 591,071 12,004 263,344 56,980 169,719 31,011 2,170 1,193 2,053,350 47,140 Netherlands 29,400 5,673 2,368,147 257,616 5,973,838 610,61 1 6,403,621 671,982 8,253,547 1,266,689 8,277,460 1,166,158 x l South African £ equals US $2.80. Source: Department of Custome and Excise, "Import Stati: l of South Afri 1956," Pretori; WORLD SURVEY OF PLASTICS -\_v-4- Chapter VIII Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Until the June 1958 visit by a United States plas- tics industry team to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, little, if any, information was available on the plastics industry there. * This team reported that the chemical plants visited were characterized by the principle of "continuous operation," and that, generally, where the Soviet and U. S. chemical operations are com- parable in size and age, the technical results are about equal. Russia's ability to expand her chem- ical operations appears to be limited by lack of equipment rather than raw materials or manpower- Because the U.S.S.R. plastics industry has been developed and equipped to supply essential plastics components, such as those for trucks and electri- 1 The Society of the Plastics press release of July 11, 1958, Visits U.S.S.R." Industry, In cal equipment, and acrylic sheets for aircraft glazing, more progress has been made in provid- ing facilities for the manufacture and processing of thermosetting materials than for thermoplastics. The team was supplied the following production statistics for 1957 by the Soviet Chemical Minis- try, in pounds: Material Quantity Phenolic and other tar acid resins 143,300,300 Epoxy and alkyd resins 64,374,904 Silicones 4,850,164 Urea and melamine resins 118,608,556 Caprolactam -nylon 28,219,136 Fluor ocarbon and other related mate- rials 44,092,400 Thermoplastics, all types 133,379,510 Total 536,824,970 (161) WORLD SURVEY OF PLASTICS Glossary ACETOBUTYRATE SEE Cellulose Acetate Butyrate. ACETOPHENONE RESINS Synthetic resins derived from benzene and ace- tic anhydride or acetyl chloride reactions; the oxidation of cumene to produce acetone and phenol; or the oxidation of ethyl benzene. ACRYLIC RESINS Resirous polymers or copolymers of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, esters of these acids, or acrylonitrile. ACRYLONITRILE (VINYL CYANIDE) Colorless liquid boiling point 170 F., derived from acetylene and hydrogen cyanide and used as a raw material for production of resins and rubbers. ALBUMINOID DERIVATIVE PLASTICS Protein plastics. ALKYD POLYSULFIDE POLYMERS Synthetic polymers obtained by the reaction of sodium polysulfide with organic dichlorides such as dichloroethylformal and ethylene dichloride. ALKYD RESINS (ALKYDS) Class of synthetic polyester resins prepared from diabasic acids or anhydrides, usually phthalic anhydride, with polybasic alcohols such as glycol and glycerin. AMIDES Compounds derived from carboxylic acids by replacing the hydroxyl of the COOH group by the amine group NH 2 ; used frequently for the pro- duction of plastics. AMINES Derivatives of ammonia made by substitution of one or more hydrogens by an alkyl or aryl group, The primary amines are important in the pro- duction of amino-aldehyde plastics. AMINOPLASTS General term for synthetic resins derived from amino or amido compounds reacted with alde- hydes or ketones, e.g., urea -formaldehyde and melamine -formaldehyde. ANILINE -FORMALDEHYDE RESINS Synthetic resins produced by the reaction of formaldehyde and aniline hydrochloride. ARTIFICIAL HORN Casein plastics. BENZYL CELLULOSE Benzyl ester of cellulose, adaptable for use as a plastic and in coatings. BLOW MOLDING Method of forming hollow plastic products by the application of air pressure to force the plas- tic against a rigid surface shaped to contours desired in the finished product. CALENDERING Method of making thin sheets or film by squeez- ing plastics between heavy revolving rollers. Plastics may also be applied to paper or cloth in this manner. CAPROLACTAM White crystalline cyclic 6-carbon amide chemi- cal used in the manufacture of synthetic fibers, plastics, bristles, film, coatings, and synthetic leather. CASEIN PLASTICS Plastics derived from para casein (casein rennet) blended with water, pigment, plasticizer, and alum, and pressed or extruded to form sheets or rods. Usually the end products are molded from this stock and hardened with form- aldehyde which converts the casein to a thermo- setting condition. CAST RESINS Resinous products made by pouring casting resins into molds and hardening. CASTING Method of forming plastic into a desired shape by pouring it into a mold and allowing it to harden without use of external pressure. Casting also (163) refers to the production of film and sheets from liquid resins or from solvent solutions of resins applied to polished drying surfaces such as metal wheels and belts, or by precipitation in a chemical bath. CASTING RESINS Resinous materials capable ol being formed into desired shapes by pouring into a mold while liquid and then hardened usually by heating and cooling. CATALYST Substance used to change the rate of a chemical reaction. Catalysts may be accelerators or re- tarders. CELLOPHANE Trade name for transparent packaging film ma- terial prepared from regenerated cellulose that has been plasticized and processed into film form. CELLULOID Trade name for a cellulose nitrate or pyroxylin plastic. CELLULOSE, REGENERATED Cellulose which has been dissolved in carbon disulfide and reprecipitated by the addition of acid to the solution. CELLULOSE ACETATE Product derived from the reaction of cotton linters with acetic acid, acetic anhydride, and a catalyst; used principally for textile fibers and plastics materials. CELLULOSE ACETATE BUTYRATE Product derived from the reaction of purified cellulose with acetic acid and butyric anhydride, in the presence of sulfuric acid as a catalyst and glacial acetic acid as a solvent; used principally as plastics materials. CELLULOSE ACETATE PROPIONATE Product similar to cellulose acetate butyrate but made with propionic anhydride instead of butyric anhydride and used for similar purposes. CELLULOSE DI -ACETATE Cellulose with the equivalent of two acetate molecules which finds use as plastics materials. CELLULOSE ESTERS Cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, and cellulose nitrate which find use as plastics materials. CELLULOSE ETHERS Derivatives of cellulose such as ethyl, methyl, and benzyl cellulose. CELLULOSE NITRATE Product of cotton or wood cellulose treated with a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids, used in the production of explosives and plastics ma- terials. In this report the term cellulose nitrate refers to cellulose nitrate plastics materials. CELLULOSE TRI -ACETATE Synthetic cellulose material containing the equivalent of approximately three acetate mole- cules and used as protective coatings and in the production of fibers. COATING A method for covering materials with protective plastics materials. COMPOUNDS SEE Molding Materials. COMPRESSION MOLDING Method of forming plastics wherein the thermo- setting material, after being placed in a mold, is made to conform to the contours of the mold by the use of heat and pressure. CONDENSATION General term applied to the chemical combina- tion of molecules with elimination of water, ammonia, hydrogen chloride, or other simple substance. Examples of condensation resins are alkyds, phenol -formaldehyde, and urea- formaldehyde resins. The final products are also called condensation -polymers. COPAL Class of natural resins consisting of the exuda- tions of various trees; they are used principal- ly in varnish manufacture. COPAL ESTER Modified natural resin. COPOLYMER Polymer formed by the simultaneous polymeri- zation of two or more different monomers. COPOLYMERIZATION General term applied to a chemical process in which polymerizable substances are simultane- ously reacted to yield a product which is not a physical mixture of separate polymers, but is a chemical complex having properties different from those of the polymers of the original con- stituents; for example, vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride are copolymerized to produce the plas- tics material "vinylite. " COUMARONE-INDENE RESINS Thermoplastic materials prepared by heating mixtures of coumarone and indene (such as occur in the light oil fractions from coal-tar refining) with sulfuric acid which causes poly- merization. CRESOL-FORMALDEHYDE Tar-acid resins. CRESYLIC RESINS Tar-acid resins. EBONITE Trade name for hard rubber. EMULSION Dispersion of one liquid in another in which it is not appreciably soluble; the particles are larger than colloidol size and an emulsifying agent must be added to keep them in suspension. EPOXY (ETHYLOXINE) RESINS Synthetic resins obtained by the condensation of bisphenol, epichlorohydrin, or ethylene oxide. ESTER GUMS Hard synthetic resins produced by the esterfica- tion of natural resins (especially rosin) with polyhydric alcohols (principally glycerol and pentaerythritol). ETHYL CELLULOSE Ethyl ether of cellulose, used as cellulose plas- tics materials. ETHYL HYDROXYETHYL CELLULOSE A cellulose ether. ETHYLENE A major chemically unsaturated component of refinery gas, derived from cracking of petro- leum or natural gas. EXTRUSION MOLDING Method of processing plastics in a continuous or extended form by forcing heat -softened plastic through an opening shaped like the cross section of the finished product; used to produce rods, tubes, pipe, etc. FABRICATE Making plastics materials into finished articles by machining, sewing, sealing, polishing, and similar operations. FABRICATOR Firm engaged in the conversion of plastics sheets, rods, tubes, film, and special shapes, by various types of machine tools and other equipment, into finished products. FINISHER Firm engaged in printing, embossing, decorat- ing, etching, engraving, and metalizing on plas- tics materials such as films, sheets, and rigid parts. FLUOROCARBON (FLUORINE) RESINS Plastics materials containing carbon, hydrogen, and fluorine. FLUOROETHYLENE RESINS Plastic polymers of tetra or trifluorochylroeth- ylene. FORMICA Trade name for urea or phenolic laminated plastics. FORMULATION Combination of plastics materials and other ingredients for processing into finished prod- ucts. Sometimes used as a synonym for com- pounded plastics materials. FORMULATOR Company that formulates plastics and synthetic resin materials. GALALITH Trade name for casein plastics. GUMS Viscous vegetable secretions which harden but, unlike resins, are water soluble. Name is also sometimes applied, particularly in the varnish industry, to natural resins such as copals. HORN, ARTIFICIAL OR SYNTHETIC Casein plastics. IMPREGNATE To saturate a fabric or other material with a plastic. INJECTION MOLDING Molding procedure whereby heat -softened plas- tics materials are forced from a receptacle in- to a cavity which gives the article the desired shape. As soon as the composition in the mold cools sufficiently to be rigid, the mold is opened and the molded article removed. Used partic- ularly for thermoplastics. ION EXCHANGE RESINS These resins may be classified as cation ex- changers which possess either strongly or weak- ly acidic functional groups and anion exchangers which possess either strongly or weakly basic functional groups. These resins, which find many uses such as for water purification and recovery of minerals from waste, are of many types, including those made by copolymerization of styrene with divinylbenzene and those based on phenol -formaldehyde, amino benzene -form- aldehyde, and other condensates. LACQUER Solution of cellulose esters or ethers, resins, varnishes, and/or paint vehicles with or without plasticizers, in a volatile solvent which upon evaporation leaves a protective plastics film. LAMINATE (NOUN) Flat sheet or board (which sometimes may be subsequently formed) made by bonding together a number of sheets of paper, fabric, or other materials. LAMINATE (VERB) To bond together a number of sheets of paper, fabric or other materials. For example, sheets of paper or wood are coated or impregnated with resinous composition and subjected to pressure, generally with heat. MELAMINE RESINS (ALSO KNOWN AS AMINO RESINS AND AMINOPLASTS) Synthetic resins are sometimes used in com- bination with urea resins. METHACRYLIC ESTERS Monomers of acrylic resins. METHACRYLIC RESINS Acrylic resins. METHYL METHACRYLATE RESINS Acrylic resins. MOLD (NOUN) A block, usually metal, containing one or more cavities into which a plastics material is placed for processing and from which it takes its shape upon the application of heat and/or pressure. MOLD (VERB) Forming plastics articles under heat and/or pressure in a closed space. MOLDING MATERIALS (COMPOUND) Plastics materials in granular, flake, powder, or liquid form used in processing. MOLDING POWDER SEE Molding Materials. MONOMER Simple unit molecule which is capable of react- ing with similar or dissimilar monomers to form a large molecule, called a polymer. In the production of addition polymers monomers represent the original unpolymerized material. NYLON Generic name for long-chain polyamides. ORGANOSOL A vinyl dispersion which, in the liquid phase, contains organic volatile liquids. PETROLEUM POLYMERS Polymerized unsaturated petroleum hydrocarbon plastics materials. PHENOLIC RESINS (PHENOLICS) Synthetic resins obtained by the interaction of various phenols (phenol, cresol, xylenols) with aldehydes (formaldehyde, acetaldyhyde, furfur - aldehyde) in the presence of a catalyst. Phenol- formaldehyde resins constitute the chief class of phenolic resins. PHENOP LASTS A general term for phenol -aldehyde type resins. Synonymous with popular term, phenolics. PHTALIC ACID A raw material for making phthalic resins. PHTHALIC RESINS Usually refers to alkyd resins derived from phthalic acids or anhydrides and used principally as protective coating materials. PLASTIC In the broad sense, any substance which can be deformed usually by heat and pressure and re- tains its new form. Usually refers to any of a large and varied group of materials composed wholly or in part of various combinations of the elements carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine and/or nitrogen with certain inorganic or organic substances. Although solid in the finished form, these materials are at some stage during their manufacture sufficiently fluid to be formed into various shapes, usually through the application of heat or pressure, or both. PLASTICIZER Liquid or solid substances incorporated in plas- tics to develop properties of moldability, resil- iency, elasticity, and flexibility. PLASTICS MATERIALS Plastics as usually defined above excluding plas- tics products. The term plastics materials is usually used in- terchangeably and synonymously with the terms synthetic plastics and resin materials, synthetic plastics and resins, and plastics and synthetic resins. PLASTICS MATERIALS MANUFACTURER A chemical producer or other firm engaged in the production and formulation of plastics and synthetic resin materials from chemicals. PLASTICS PRODUCTS Items shaped from plastics and synthetic resin materials. PLEXIGLAS Trade name for methyl methacrylate plastics. POLYACETAL POLYMERS SEE Polyvinyl Acetate. POLYACIDS Organic acids having more than one functionally acidic group and which are used as a raw ma- terial for making polyesters, alkyds, and other resins. POLY ALCOHOL An alcohol containing more than one reactive hydroxyl group and used as a raw material for making polyesters, alkyds, and other resins. POLYAMIDES Resins formed by the polymerization of amino acids or by the condensation of polyamines with polycarboxylic acids. POLYCARBONATES Resins derived by the interaction of a carbonate diester and a dihydroxy aromatic compound. POLYDICHLOROSTYRENE Polymerized chlorinated styrene resins. POLYESTERS In the broad sense a class of resins which in- cludes: Alkyd resins produced by the esterfication of one or more polybasic organic acids with one or more polyhydric alcohols, modified or unmodi- fied, and used principally for protective coatings. Usually referred to as alkyd resins; Polyester resins made from unsaturated alkyds, copolymerized with monomers such as styrene, and polyalkyl resins such as diallyl phthalate or alkyl diglycol carbonate, and used principally as bonding materials in reinforced plastics prod- ucts. Usually referred to as polyester resins; Styrene-alkyd polyester resins used for protec- tive coatings, usually classified under styrene resins. POLYETHYLENE (POLYTHENE) Polymerized ethylene resins. POLYHALOGENATEDETHYLENE RESINS SEE Fluoroethylene. POLYISO-BUTYLENE Resinous polymerization product of iso-butylene. POLYMER Large unit molecule formed from the union of small unit molecules. POLYMERIZATION Chemical reaction whereby small unit molecules (monomers) are linked together to form larger chemical structures (polymers) which have different physical properties from those of the original molecules. POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE RESINS Acrylic resins. POLYOLEFIN Resinous polymers of ethylene, propylene, bu- tylene, etc. POLYSTYRENE Synthetic resin made by the polymerization of the hydrocarbon styrene. POLYSTYROL Another name for polystyrene resins. POLYTERPENE RESINS Class of resins or viscous liquids obtained by polymerization of turpentine in the presence of catalysts such as aluminum chloride or mineral acids. POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE RESINS Polymers of tetrafluoroethylene. POLYTHENE Same as polyethylene. POLYUREIDE Polymerized urea resins. POLYURETHANE RESINS Class of resins obtained by the reaction of diisocynates with polyhydric alcohols, esters, or ethers. POLYVINYL ACETALS Products made from polyvinyl esters by replac- ing part or all of the acid group with acetal or hydroxyl groups; include products such as polyvinyl butyral. POLYVINYL ALCOHOL Colorless plastics materials made by the acidic or basic hydrolysis of a polyvinyl ester, usually the acetate. POLYVINYL BUTYRAL Resins made by reacting polyvinyl alcohol with butyl aldehyde. POLYVINYL CARBAZOLE Resins derived by reacting acetylene and carba- zole. POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC) Resins made by polymerizing vinyl chloride. POLYVINYLIDE CHLORIDE Plastics materials made from polymers of vinyl- idene chloride, and copolymers of vinylidene chloride and vinyl chloride or aerylonitrile. PROCESSING Shaping plastics materials to the desired form by molding, extruding, casting, forming, fabri- cating, blowing, laminating, and other methods. PROCESSOR Firm engaged in molding, extruding, film and sheet forming, high pressure laminating, and in manufacturing reinforced plastics and coating. PROTEIN PLASTICS Plastics materials made from casein, soybeans, etc. PYROXYLIN Nitrocellulose material containing 11.8 to 12.3 percent nitrogen and used in lacquers. REGENERATED CELLULOSE SEE Cellulose, Regenerated. RESIN Term generally referring to a class of solid or semisolid, natural or synthetic products, gen- erally of high molecular weight with no definite melting points. RESIN, NATURAL Resin produced by or derived from the secre- tions of plants or animals. RESIN, SYNTHETIC Complex, substantially amorphous, organic, semisolid or solid material (usually a mixture of substances) built up by chemical reaction of comparatively simple compounds, approximating the natural resins in various physical properties. The term synthetic resin is also sometimes applied to chemically modified natural resins. RESINOID The class name applied to thermosetting resins. RESORCINOL-FORMALDEHYDE Synthetic resins resulting from the chemical reaction between resorcinol and formaldehyde. ROSIN Resin obtained as a residue after distillation of turpentine and pine oil from crude turpentine. ROSIN AND TERPENE ADDUCT RESINS Resins resulting from the chemical combination of rosin and terpene (terpine), an unsaturated hydrocarbon, occurring in essential oils and oleo-resins of some plants. ROSIN ESTERS SEE Ester Gums. SCRAP Waste plastics materials resulting from plastic processing operations. SEMIPROCESSED MATERIALS Plastics sheets, rods, tubes, and special shapes used for further fabrication into plastics prod- ucts. SHEET FORMING Fabricating operation in which heat -softened plastics films or sheets are forced against a cool mold and permanently take on the contours of the mold. Various modifications of the opera- tion are possible, depending upon the manner of heating the sheets and in applying the force such as by pressure or vacuum. SILICONES Group name for semi -inorganic polymers made up of a skeleton structure of silicon and oxygen atoms with various organic groups attached to the silicon. Silicones ranged from low molec- ular weight volatile materials to cyclic, linear, and cross -linked high molecular weight poly- mers. SOYBEAN PLASTICS Protein plastics derived from soybean meal. STYRENE A colorless liquid derived from coal or natural gas. In monomeric form it is used in producing styrene resins and synthetic rubber. TAR -ACID RESINS Resins prepared by the chemical reaction of formaldehyde or other aldehydes or ketones with phenols, cresols, xylenols, etc. THERMOPLASTIC Term applied to plastics materials that soften but do not change chemically when heated, and upon cooling maintain the physical form imposed while in the softened condition. This thermo- plastic physical change can be repeated more than once. THERMOSETTING Term applied to plastics materials that undergo a chemical change, setting, upon heating and permanently maintain the form imposed during the heating. The form cannot be softened again by reheating as in the case of thermoplastic resins. TRANSFER MOLDING Variation of the injection molding method for use with thermosetting materials, in which the plastics are softened by heat and pressure in a transfer chamber and then forced by hydraulic - ally operated plunger into a closed mold. UREA RESINS (UREAS) Synthetic resins obtained through the reaction of urea and formaldehyde or other aldehydes in a condensation process. These resins are sometimes used in combination with melamine resins. They are also known as amino resins. VACUUM FORMING Shaping heated plastics sheets by pulling them into or over a mold by means of a vacuum. VINYL RESINS In a broad sense, a group of polymers and resins derived from the polymerization or co- polymerization of vinyl monomers including vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate, vinylidene chlo- ride, and other hydrocarbon raw materials like methacrylate, acrylonitrile, styrene, vinyl ethers, characterized by the presence of a carbon -carbon double bond in the monomer molecule, which opens during polymerization and initiates the carbon -carbon chain of the polymer. In a more restricted sense the term vinyls or vinyl plastics refers individually to polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl acetals, and copolymers, and collectively to any two or more of the above taken together. At best, vinyls or vinyl resins is a term loosely used. VISCOSE SHEETS Material for cellophane manufacture. VULCANIZED FIBER Plastics materials formed by the action of zinc chloride upon special absorbent high alpha cellulose paper preferably derived from rags. The gelatinous swollen sheets are physically welded together by heat and pressure. PENN STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES A0QDD712A7m0