BUSINESS CONCENTRATES Carbide finds insecticide residue in wells Tests by Union Carbide have turned up aldicarb insecticide metabolite residues in some water wells on or near potato farms in eastern Suffolk County on New York's Long Island. However, all of the levels found so far are below those considered harmful to humans, according to the company. On one farm two wells had levels much higher than the rest, although still within safe limits. Carbide says that in these two wells, it suspects direct contamination. It has recommended that water from these two wells not be drunk until the source is discovered and eliminated. The highest residue found so far has been less than 0.5 ppm by weight.
Aromatics' prices dull spot sales After a high-priced tussle in the first half of 1979, producers and spot-market consumers of aromatic chemicals have settled down to a standoff as the end of the third quarter nears. Spot sales volume of these basic organic chemicals such as benzene and xylenes has fallen to low levels during the late summer. Spot prices have dropped close to contract prices.
Dow plans epichlorohydrin expansion With the market for epoxy resins growing at a booming pace (C&EN, Aug. 6, page 14), Dow is planning a big expansion in capacity for raw material epichlorohydrin at its Freeport, Tex., plant. The expansion, which is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 1981, will raise Dow's epichlorohydrin capacity in the U.S. to 400 million lb from its present 250 million lb. Besides the Freeport facility, Dow produces epichlorohydrin in Stade, West Germany, where its capacity is more than 100 million lb.
Fibers will continue slowdown in third quarter Signs of a decline in demand for synthetic fibers are becoming more pronounced in the third quarter, according to Leonard Bogner, vice president of Bache Halsey Stuart Shields Inc., a New York City investment firm. Bogner says, "Signs of a slowdown in demand—and the accompanying weakness in operating rates and selling price—are forecast to become more pronounced in synthetic fibers this quarter." Bogner calls synthetic fibers "the traditional bellwether of chemical industry." Coupled with continued increase in raw material costs, the margin squeeze expected by fiber makers could materialize during the period.
Chemical trade U.S. chemical foreign $ Millions trade turned in another 1500 very strong month in July. Exports stayed close to the June record, while 1200 imports continued to dip. The resulting positive 900 trade balance set a new record. Seasonally adf • . ^ justed data from the 600 Commerce Department [ Importe show chemical exports 300 at $1.43 billion in July, down 2 % from June but up 3 3 % from July 1978. Ll 1 t,„l 1 1,1 t L LL Slackening imports J A S O N D J F M A M J J L—1978 J L—1979 ' came to $598 million in a Seasonally adjusted. July 1979. This is up only 2 % from a year ago and down 11 % from June. June imports also fell 3 % from the record $689 million in May. The chemical trade balance rose to $834 million in July, 5 % over June and a resounding 69 % ahead of $494 million in July 1978. Hence, third-quarter foreign trade got off to a sizzling start and continues to be a leading factor in the U.S. chemical industry's improved profits picture this year.
Celanese to increase PET capacity Celanese will more than double its U.S. capacity for polyethylene terephthalate resin by early 1980. The company will build an 80 million lb-per-year facility at Fibers Industries' Palmetto plant at Darlington, S.C. Celanese Plastics & Specialties, a Fibers Industries sister company within Celanese, is expanding and moving PET resin production to the Palmetto plant from a Greer, S.C, facility that was sold to American Hoechst (C&EN, April 16, page 7). Thus Celanese has consolidated all of its U.S. PET resin production into Fibers Industries, which is 62.5% owned by Celanese and 37.5% by Imperial Chemical Industries.
Taiwan to get big ethylene plant Chinese Petroleum Corp. will build a $200 million ethylene plant at Kaohsiung on the west coast of Taiwan. The 350,000 metric-ton-per-year plant is scheduled for completion in 1982 and will raise Taiwan's ethylene capacity 6 0 % . C-E Lummus will provide engineering and construction advisory services.
Plans set for big Arabian fertilizer plant ICI Americas increases drug investment ICI Americas is strengthening its commitment to pharmaceuticals by doubling capacity of its Stuart Pharmaceuticals division's Newark, Del., plant. The $10 million expansion will add manufacturing facilities for an antiestrogen product and an antihypertension drug and is slated for completion in 1981. ICI also is completing a $26 million pharmaceutical R&D center at its Wilmington, Del., headquarters.
Saudi Basic Industries Corp. and Taiwan Fertilizer Co. will build a large nitrogen fertilizer complex in Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia. When completed in mid-1982, the joint venture will have capacity for 1000 metric tons a day of ammonia and 1600 metric tons a day of urea. Besides the production units, Pullman Kellogg, contractor for the $250 million project, will build various on- and off-site facilities such as storage, bagging, and several kinds of water treatment auxiliaries. Sept. 3, 1979 C&EN
9
