CANADIAN by S. J . Cook
Inco Initiates Electrolytic C o b a l t Pt eduction For the first time in Canada, electrolytic cobalt is being produced at the Port Colborne refinery of International Nickel Co. of Canada. Heretofore Inco's entire cobalt output has been marketed as oxides and salts produced at its Clydach, Wales, refinery. T h e Inco electrolytic process for the production of cobalt was developed after extensive research and pilot plant studies by the company. T h e electrolytic cobalt will be particularly valuable in the manufacture of alloys where high purity will be advantageous. While nickel is the principal metal recovered from the company's Sudbury7 ores, other metals include copper, platinum, palladium, ruthenium, iridium, rhodium, gold, silver, selenium, and tellurium in addition to cobalt. Iron of premium grade will shortly b e added to the list, it is expected. Inco has also announced the signing of a contract with General Services Administration of the U. S. Government to refine certain nickel concen-
CHEMISTRY
trates produced by Sherritt Gordon Mines at Lynn Lake, and to deliver to GSA a total of 4.5 million pounds of refined nickel during the next 10 months. This concentrate to be treated and refined by Inco represents an excess of Lynn Lake mine production over t h e quantity required for processing at Sherritt Gordon's refinery at Fort Saskatchewan. GSA will thus receive an additional quantity of nickel which would not otherwise have been available. Performance of this contract will be in addition to t h e maintenance of Inco's increased annual production rate of 275 million pounds of nickel and Sherritt Gordon's scheduled production of 18 million pounds for 1955. Jane Defends Patent A c t Speaking before t h e Patent Institute of Canada, R. S. Jane, executive v p of Shawinigan Chemicals, said that Canada's phenomenal industrial expansion would not have been possible without patent laws which have protected research and reimbursed it through production. Referring to the recent appointment of a Canadian Royal Commission to inquire into the operations of the Canadian Patent Act, he said the act had served Canada "extremely well," and h e expressed the hope that in making any change to the present act, care would be taken "not to tamper with t h e basic underlying principles to weaken the patent right." Pointing out that modern industry depends largely on research, both fundamental and industrial, he went on to say t h a t millions of dollars are spent each year on experimental work which yields new products, new processes, and n e w designs for the industrial factories of tomorrow. Probably only a small fraction of this money would be spent if t h e patent system of the world and the International Convention were not in existence. Drawing on his own company's experience, Jane paid tribute to the fact that leaders in the manufacturing world respect and recognize a valid patent and do not fail to apply for licenses from, and have paid royalties to, the smaller concerns which have developed processes or products. Magnesium Competition from the United States for magnesium producers has b e e n increased by recently announced price reductions for magnesium sheet and plate. Canada has at present no sheet and plate rolling capacity for magne-
sium, nor is magnesium powder made in Canada. Tariff-wise, t h e trend favors the United States since t h e duty on imports into Canada is 1 0 % ad valorem for commercially p u r e metal; U. S. tariff rates are prohibitive at 20 cents a pound plus 1 0 % ad valorem. A large part of Canada's o u t p u t is exported to Great Britain. Canada has two producers of metallic magnesium—Dominion Magnesium at Haley, Ont., and Aluminum Co. of Canada at Arvida, Que. Combined capacity of the two plants is 10,400 tons per year. Consumption of magnesium by Canadian industry is estimated at 1500 tons, leaving a substantial tonnage for export. T h e Pidgeon process used a t Haley yields magnesium of 9 9 . 9 8 % purity, and was developed in the laboratories of the National Research Council of Canada at Ottawa. Aim of Canadian producers is to make magnesium at a - cost t h a t will enable them to compete with aluminum on a volumetric basis. Brown C o r p . Sells Quebec Properties Brown Corp. has agreed to sell its Quebec woodland holdings and bleached sulfate pulp mill to Canadian International Paper C o . and its hydroelectric power interests to Shawinigan W a t e r and Power. Plans call for integration of all woodland and production activities with Canadian International operations. Terylene Plant Built in O n t a r i o Canadian Industries, Ltd., is building Canada's first Terylene textile fiber plant at Millhaven, Ont. C o m p a n y has acquired 1400 acres and pilot plant production has begun. Full operating capacity is expected to b e available next summer, and over 11 million pounds of yarn and staple will be supplied to Canadian textile industry annually. Drug A c t Amended Revised federal regulations relating to safety, purity, and quality, as well as labeling and advertising, of all foods, drugs, therapeutic devices, and cosmetics, came into effect July 1 under Amendments to the Food a n d Drugs Act, Canada. New regulations are designed to clarify interpretation of the act and to confer additional powers on food and drug authorities in the task of enforcement.
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