CANADIAN by S. J. Cook
II Π! ΙΠ A! U • Base •· H y d r a t e • Salts
fHistmouiTt Β
CHEMICAL
CO..
INC.
Β
600 Ferry Street, Newark 5, N. J.
P u m p liquids, gases, solids in
solution
J u s t place connecting
tubes in
NEW.
large
Sigmamofor Pump!
Wavelike action ^11111Ι«| of steel fingers N*^^ forc«'S liquid through t h e ^ ^ t u b i n g . M a t e r i a l in t u b i n g never touches pump. Stops contamination and corrosion. Excellent for S f Q C O O handling o f corrosive solutions, 1 ftaP Smaller unit w i t h capacities to S E C O O 30 gallons per hour «39
SIGMAMÛTÛR inc.
»S NORTH M A I N ST., '. MIODLEPORT, Ν . Υ.
54
CHEMISTRY
changes. Principal factor in the down turn has been the smaller western Chemicai Production Sefs grain crop. New Record Growth of the chemical industries A preliminary survey of available to a n e w record high in 1954 and con 1954 data on the production o f chemi tinued large-scale investment in new cals and allied products in Canada in plant, is the more significant. dicates that a new all-time record will New plants brought into production be reached this year. Output valua in 1953 are having their first full year's tion, at $888 million will be up $16 output in 1954. Even so, the bringing million over the final official figures of in of these new plants does not mean $872 million for 1953. that they have yet reached their pro Over-all gains will be made in fertil duction potential, and the outlook is izers, medicinals and pharmaceuticals, encouraging for further gains. soaps and toilet preparations, and in a This growth pattern extends from miscellaneous group including explo the recent mineral developments in sives, matches, polishes and dressings, New Brunswick, Eastern Quebec, and compressed gases, inks, and adhesives. Labrador, through the central provinces These gains over 1953 will amount to of Quebec and Ontario and westward $28 million. to the Prairie Provinces and British On the lower side in comparison with Columbia. The chemical industry in 1953 are heavy chemicals, paints and Canada is becoming firmly established, varnishes, and primary plastics. These despite tariff difficulties which continue will be down $12 million. to hamper growth of export trade. Production figures for 1953 with Research facilities are being aug estimates for 1954 are: mented. In October, Canadian In dustries opened a central research 1953 1954 laboratory at McHeavy chemicals $125,450,000 $118,000,000 Masterville, Que. Fertilizers 84,020,000 87,000,000 Medicinals and pharmaceuticals 92,761,000 97,000,000 This laboratory will Paints and varnishes 113,636,000 109,000,000 not carry out re Soaps, washing compounds, search on company and toilet preparations 119,674,000 123,000,000 projects, but is de Primary plastics 44,318,000 43,000,000 signed to serve in All other 292,991,000 311,000,000 dustries using CIL $872,850,009 $888,000,000 products. These Annual business poll conducted by would include textiles, pulp and paper, the University of Western Ontario has paint, metallurgy, plastics, agriculture. just been completed. Some 2 0 0 execu In the same month the Edmonton tives were consulted. More than half polythene plant was officially opened. of these estimate an increase in their Another highlight was the decision of firms' production in 1955; one third ex CIL to purchase ICI's recently com pect no change, while less than 10% pleted Terylene plant for $. million. are pessimistic. One quarter expect to In Alberta, the total capital invest increase their capital expenditures in ment in chemical plants, which was 1955, while one third anticipate a de about $20 million in 1947, will exceed crease and a similar group see no $120 million by the end of this year. change. Next year may well see a Developments there during the past levelling off in new construction. seven years have resulted in the tripling Capital expenditures generally have of the number of employees in the been running at a very high rate in chemical field in the province and have comparison with figures for the Gross provided opportunities for chemistry National Product. One authority sug and chemical engineering graduates of gests that if the total capital investment the University of Alberta to find jobs in chemical plant is as good in 1955 as in their own province. it has been in 1954 the result will be Major chemical industrial plants in very satisfactory indeed. Alberta include: in Turner V a l l e y The Financial Post estimates Can propane and sulfur (Boyalite Oil); in ada's Gross National Product in 1954 Jumping Pound—sulfur (Shell Oil); in at $23.9 billion. This compares with Calgary—anhydrous ammonia, ammo last year's $24.35 billion. It is a de nium nitrate, fertilizers (Cominco), cline of almost 2%. The Post points explosives ( C I L ) ; in Fort Saskatch out that this ends the steady year-by- ewan—nickel, ammonium sulfate (Sheryear increase in Canadian production ritt Gordon); in Duvernay—caustic, which has lasted since the war. This chlorine (Western Chemicals); in Ed reduction in GNP applies whether it monton—polyethylene ( C I L ) , petro is counted in terms of current dollars, chemicals, cellulose acetate (Canadian or of constant dollars, eliminating price Chemical). CHEMICAL
AND
ENGINEERING
NEWS
