Our Foreign Trade in Chemicals and Related Products in 1928

Our Foreign Trade in Chemicals and Related Products in 1928. Otto. Wilson. Ind. Eng. .... ACS Omega: Publishing Diverse Science from a Global Communit...
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INDUSTRIAL A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY

Vol. 21, N

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Our Foreign Trade in Chemicals and Related Products in 1928’ Otto Wilson MUNSEY BUILDING, WASHINGTON, D. C. C H E M I C A L S AND RELATED P R O D U C T S

N T H E Government’s foreign-trade statistics chemicals and chemical products are grouped under the above heading, comprising Group 8. Certain miscellaneous products of commercial interest to the chemical trade are included in other groups, and are considered in the second section of the present review. “Chemicals and Related Products” include: coal-tar products; medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations; industrial chemical specialties (exports only) ; industrial chemicals; pigments, paints, and varnishes; fertilizers and fertilizer materials; explosives, fuses, etc.; soap and toilet preparations. For the chemical group as a whole the returns for 1928 show a gain both in imports and exports. The increase in the incoming trade, however, was larger than that in the outgoing, and the small favorable balance of 1927 was turned to an adverse balance last year.

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U n i t e d S t a t e s F o r e i g n Trade in C h e m i c a l s and R e l a t e d P r o d u c t s YEAR IMPORTS EXPORTS BALANCE OF TRADE 1927 $129,857,000 $132,2S1,000 +S2,394,000 1928 143,041,000 137,305,000 5,736,000

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Analysis of the detailed trade figures shows that changes in a few large items are more than sufficient to account for the increased imports. Our purchases of fertilizers, for example, reached a record figure, and the increase in that trade alone was much more than the gain in total imports. The largest decreases in the import trade were in crude and refined glycerol, in argols, or wine lees, and in dead or creosote oil. In the export trade sodium compounds showed a marked gain, as did paint materials such as carbon black, and explosives. Coal-tar products and soaps, on the other hand, were sent abroad in reduced quantities. Leaving out of account the few outstanding gains and losses in particular commodities, the year’s trade may be said to have been marked by a steady flow in both directions a t much the same levels as in the preceding year. The following table shows the incoming and outgoing trade in the eight subgroups mentioned: I m p o r t s a n d E x p o r t s of C h e m i c a l s and R e l a t e d P r o d u c t s by S u b groups IMPORTS EXPORTS 1927 192s 1927 1928 Coal-tar products $24,042,000 $23,907,000 517,097,000 $14,114,000 Medicinals and pharmaceuticals 5,423,000 5,179,000 20,103,000 20,35C,OOO Industrial chemical a a 20,211,000 15,108,000 specialties Industrial chemicals 28,504,000 24,203,000 15,488,000 25,687,000 Pigments paints, a n d vainishes 3,755,000 3,765,000 21,319,000 25,612,000 Fertilizers and materials 58,842,000 77,913,000 17,724,000 l g , 8 9 ~ , 0 0 0 Explosives, fuses, etc. 1,093,000 979,000 3,455,000 a,18a,OOO Soaps and toilet preparations 8,197,000 7,095,000 16,853,000 15,35S,OOO 4 K o t separately stated. 1 Received February 16, 1929. All 1928 figures are preliminary and subject t o later correction b y t h e Department of Commerce. As a rule, however, changes are few and are of minor importance. Valuation of imports is based on declarations a t foreign port of shipment, and does not include cost of ocean freight and insurance. “Average valuation” is not t o be confused with the price prevailing in this country, although t h e two fluctuate i n sympathy with each other. Valuation of exports is based on declarations by American exporters. Lack of space prevents the inclusion in the present review of more t h a n a few of t h e detailed figures available. Further information regarding them may be obtained through the writer.

I n all these groups trade has become well standardized, and flows in much the same channels one year after another. Fluctuations in volume and value of the most important commodities in 1928 as compared with the preceding year are noted in the following paragraphs. Coal-Tar Products

Imports of coal-tar products in 1928 were practically the same in total value as in 1927, although there was considerable fluctuation in the trade of the separate items. Crudes decreased by about one million dollars, 1928 imports registering a value of $15,251,000 as against $16,351,000 in the year before. Dead or creosote oil, making u p the bulk of this trade, came into the country to the extent of 88,385,000 pounds, the 1927 figure being 95,915,000 pounds. Trade in intermediates increased slightly, having a value of $1,146,000 in 1927 and $1,326,000 in 1928, and our purchases of colors and other finished products from abroad were also greater by about 11 per cent. The outstanding feature of the year’s trade was the continued growth of imports of high-grade specialties from Germany. These were greater in value by about 25 per cent, displacing imports from all other chief sources except Switzerland. The following figures show how far Germany has advanced in this trade: I m p o r t s of Colors, Dyes, S t a i n s , Color Acids, and Color Bases IMPORTS FROM: 1927 1928 Pounds Value Pounds Value Belgium 180,000 $242,000 115,000 5137,000 France 235,000 274,000 74,000 90,000 Germany 3,238,000 3,427,000 4,056,000 4,250,000 65,000 60,000 Italy 112,000 131,000 1,639,000 2,005,000 Switzerland 1,493,000 1,869,000 96,000 148,000 98,000 United Kingdom 146,000 239,000 91,000 205,000 Other countries 93,000

TOTAL

____

___-

__-_

_-__

5,497,000

6,182,000

6,252,000

6,877,000

The grade of these imports is indicated by their average valuation per pound, 31.10. I n 1927 it was $1.12. Imports from Switzerland were higher in value than general imports, averaging $1.22 per pound in 1928. Imports of coal-tar medicinals, 113,000 pounds, showed a decrease of 15 per cent from 1927, but. their value, $209,000, was less by 25 per cent. I n the export trade the big decline of the year was in the sales of benzene, which dropped from 25,794,000 gallons to 21,338,000 gallons, or about 17 per cent. The total value of these shipments fell from $6,665,000 to $4,963,000, nearly 30 per cent. The greatest drop occurred in shipments to the United Kingdom, although Germany, the biggest buyer, also took about one million gallons less than in 1927. Trade with the Netherlands, amounting to 4,620,000 gallons in 1927, was entirely discontinued last year. Shipments to France, on the other hand, were much heavier. There was also a great slump in the export trade in crude coal tar and coal-tar pitch. Only $1,189,000 worth of these products were shipped to foreign buyers, whereas in 1927 shipments were valued a t $3,256,000. Canada was the chief purchaser of the former product and France of the latter. The export trade in intermediates was marked by a considerable drop in value, which brought the total returns from the trade down to $316,000 as against $348,000 in 1927,

April, 1929

INDUSTRIAL A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY

although the quantity increased from 2,418,000 pounds to 2,807,000 pounds. Exports of colors, dyes, and stains made from coal tar, in strong contrast to imports, are lower priced products averaging about 20 cents per pound. They consist very largely of indigo and sulfur black and the great bulk of the trade is with China. In 1928 shipments totaled 32,323,000 pounds valued a t $6,532,000, as compared with 26,771,000 pounds valued a t $5,495,000 in 1927. Of the shipments last year about 3 per cent in value were made up of packaged dyes for household use. Coal-tar medicinals sold abroad in 1928 to a value of $321,000, somewhat less than in 1927. Medicinals and Pharmaceuticals

Menthol imports dropped about 30 per cent in both quantity and value last year, the trade registering 254.000 pounds valued a t $924,000 as against 369,000 pounds valued a t $1,332,000 in 1927. Of the total last year Japan sent us 220,000 pounds, about 87 per cent, as against 314,000 pounds or 85 per cent on the total in 1927. Imports from France fell off more than one-half, receipts totaling 21,000 pounds as compared with 43,000 pounds in the year before. Quinine sulfate imports, second most important in point of value, fell off slightly, the total of 1,809,000 ounces valued a t $644,000 being some 5 per cent less than the 1927 trade. The Netherlands and Japan are the chief sources of supply. The United States is also a considerable exporter of quinine sulfate and other cinchona salts, sending 253,000 ounces valued a t $111,000 to foreign customers in 1928. about the same as in the year before. The greatest exportation of medicinals, however, continues to be patent medicines. The item, of which they comprise practically the whole, showed a valuation of $17,901,000 in 1928. I n 1927 it was $17,839,000. The United Kingdom is by far the largest buyer of these wares, but the trade is scattered to every part of the world. Our exports of antitoxins, serums, vaccines. etc., were valued a t $1,886,000 in 1928 as against $1,730,000 in the year before, and as usual went in large measure to Latin American countries. Industrial Chemical Specialties

This subgroup, comprising a number of chemical commodities in familiar use but not pertaining particularly to chemical industries, relates to exports only. The largest item is household insecticides, disinfectants, and similar preparations and materials, which were sold abroad in 1928 to the value of $4,435,000, a gain of some 22 per cent over 1927. The trade is widely scattered, but the great bulk of the shipments to the countries t o the south, hiexico, Cuba, and Argentina usually figuring most largely in the trade. The second largest item is baking powder, of which we sold abroad 5,679,000 pounds having a value of $2,016,000 in 1928 as against 4,748,000 pounds valued a t $1,711,000 in 1927. The leading buyer of American baking powders is British South Africa. Large amounts are also sent to LIexico, Argentina, and other Latin American countries and to the Philippines. Sicotine and tobacco extracts valued a t S603,OOO were exported last year, Germany being by far the largest customer. Other specialties included shoe polishes, $937,000; metal and stove polishes, $339,000; petroleum jelly, 6,404,000 pounds valued a t 5889,000, a slight gain over 1927; washing pom-der and fluids, 5,821,000 pounds valued a t S363,000, also a considerable increase; floor wax, wood, furniture, and auto polishes, 3554,000; and leather dressing and stains, $425,000. Industrial Chemicals

As shown in the table given above, exports of industrial chemicals in 1928 showed a great jump in value of more than $10,000,000. But this is probably in part a statistical gain only, arising from the changed classification. It would be

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more accurate to consider this group with the specialties in comparing yearly totals. Taking the two groups together, we see that there was still a marked increase, indicating greater activity and success in cultivating foreign markets on the parh of our manufacturers of these goods. The total value for the two groups, $40,795,000, represents a gain of $5,095,000 over 1927, or about one-seventh of the 1927 trade. Imports of industrial chemicals, on the other hand, dropped about 14 per cent in value. The following table shows the detailed trade in both directions for the last two years: United States Trade in Industrial Chemicals 1927 Pounds

ARTICLES

1928

Pounds

IMPORTS

Acids a n d anhydrides: Arsenious acid or white arsenic Citric Formic Oxalic Sulfuric (oil of vitriol) Tartaric All other Alcohols, including fusel oil, o a l u e Ammonium compounds, n e.%: Chloride (muriate) Strate All other Barium compounds Calcium carbide Cobalt oxide Copper sulfate (blue vitriol) Lime: Chlorinated, or bleaching powder Citrate of Glycerol: Crude Refined Iodine, crude Magnesium compounds Potassium compounds, n.e.s.: Cyanide Carbonate Hydroxide (caustic potash) Nitrate, crude, or saltpeter, lons Bitartrate, crude, argols or wine lees Cream of tartar Chlorate and perchlorate Other potassium compounds, n.e.s. Sodium compounds, n.e.s : Cyanide Ferrocyanide (yellow prussiate) h’itrite All other sodium compounds, zalue Radium salts, value All other industrial chemicals, value

$947,000

22,306,000 64,000 2,254,000 890,000 26,328,000 1,913,000 21,864,000 $150,000

14,279,000 11,218,000 1,769,000 14,649,000 4,451.000 370,000 1,979,000

11,024,000 13,172,000 1,439,000 14,877,000 2,527,000 364,000 3,612,000

2,712,000 166,000

3,147,000

14,970,000 8,268,000 926,000 21,054,000

4,579,000 4,231,000 72 1,000 17,309,000

340,000 13,192,000 14,762,000 4,309 24,906,000 291,000 13,392,000 9,817,000

116,000 16,912,000 11,648,000 11,796 12,890,000 159,000 13,130,000 12,040,000

32,599,000 1,787,000 292,000 $1,602,000 $304,000 54,944,000

37,577,000 1,625,000 108,000 31,725,000 $566,000 55,116,OOd

25,034,000 117,000 3,220,000 1,844,000 34,869,000 12,963,000 2,854,000

.....

EXPORTS

Acids a n d anhydrides: a Acetic 7,512,000 Sulfuric Boric (boracic) 14,252,000 Other Alcohols: 311,000 hlethanol, gallons b93,000 Glycerol 546a7,000 Other, value Acetone 2,236,000 Formaldehyde (formalin1 Amyl, ethyl, a n d butyl acetates a A-itro or aceto cellulose solutions, collodion, etc. Ammonium compounds (except sulfate and 4,338,000 anhydrous ammonia) 42,25J,000 Aluminum sulfate Other aluminum compounds Calcium compounds: 11,634,000 Acetate of lime 16,68J7,000 4,873,000 Carbide Chlorinated lime or bleaching powder Other, except arsenate and cyanide Ferrous or ferric compounds (copperas and a other iron salts) 6,2Oa7,00O Copper sulfate (blue vitriol) Other copper compounds 1,ead compounds (except arsenate and pigments) Dextrine or British gum 24,659,000 3,930,000 Potassium compounds, n e s. 391,645,000 Sodium compounds, n.e.s.: 8,906,000 Bichromate and chromate 1,209,000 Cyanide 73,908,000 Borate (borax) 53,544,000 Carbonate (soda ash, sal soda, mashing soda) 54,086,000 Silicate (water glass) 100,8X9,000 Hydroxide (caustic soda, lye) 18,287,000 Bicarbonate (acid soda or baking oorvder) 79,826,000 Other a Tin compounds Zinc comoounds (excevt oxide) Gases (compressed and liquefied) : Ammonia Carbon dioxide (carbonic acid) Chlorine Oxygen Other, n.e.s. Other industrial chemicals, v a l u e a h-ot stated separately.

298,000 7,002,000 3,382,000 12,108,000

528,GOO 2,052,WO $386,000 4,959,mu 2,368,UuO 842,UUJ 1,805,033 2,670,000 45,426,OJO b39,UJJ 11,173,000 21,870,000 3,746,000 17,441,000 726,000 8,667,000 8,UW 21,391,0JU 384,000 16 8’8.0Od , 642,330,000 8,692,000 1,579,000 135,703,000 66.623,UUO 119,415,OJU 58,307,OUU

132,32O,OU0 18,711,003 591,000 3,377,000 1,908,003 547,000 5,493,000 4117,000 1,335,000

S5.140,OOO

INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY

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The largest import item in this group, both in point of volume and of value, was sodium cyanide, imports of which in 1928 were valued a t $2,930,000, a gPin of about one-eighth over 1927. Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Czechoslovakia, in that order, were the only sources, as in 1927. The falling off in the quantity of iodine imported was accompanied by a drop in total value from $2,901,000 to $2,429,000. Arsenious acid imports, which had taken a steep upward turn in 1927, receded in 1928, the decrease in value being from $922,000 to $775,000. Sulfuric acid imports continued the marked downward tendency of the year before and registered the lowest mark since 1924, when they amounted to only 15,000,000 pounds. I n 1925 they were 36,000,000 pounds, and in 1926, 56,000,000 pounds. The value also decreased, but rather less than the quantity, last year's figure being $161,000 as against $198,000 in 1927. The largest single decrease in imports was in crude potassium bitartrate, argols, or wine lees, that trade being cut in half. I n point of value, however, the falling off was not quite so pronounced, the 1928 total of $1,331,000 comparing with $2,289,000 for the previous year, a decline of about 42 per cent. France is the great source of these imports, but considerable quantities also come from other European countries, and Argentina has long maintained a steady trade of some importance with us. Of special interest is the steep decline in the imports of alcohols, which dropped from a value of $947,000 in 1927 to $150,000 in 1928. This is really a record of the course of trade in methanol, which has comprised the greater part of our recorded alcohol imports in recent years. The advance of synthetic methanol brought large shipments from Germany, which continued for a while in spite of the 50 per cent increase in duty a t the close of 1926. The trade in the first half of 1927 was heavy, but it declined in the second half and this carried over in 1928. Shipments continued for two months and then ceased abruptly. But they were resumed in the fall and were again quite substantial a t the close of the year. Imports of Methanol into the United States MONTH 1927 1928 Gallons Gallons January February March April

";',c

july

August September October November December

TOTAL

i0z;ooo

....

77,000

55,'OOO 17,000 84,000 96,000

95,000 53,000 88,000

94,000 -_-_

___

1,714,000

380,000

All these imports came from Germany. At the close of the year the average valuation of methanol imports was about 40 cents per gallon a t the port of shipment in Germany. The increasing domestic manufacture, which drove down these import figures, is also reflected in our exports of methanol, which rose from 311,000 gallons to 528,000 gallons, and from a value of $263,000 t o $392,000. This, however, has the character of a special trade since the average valuation remains a t the high mark of about 75 cents per gallon, only a small decrease from that of 1927. Japan, the United Kingdom, and Cuba continue to be the leading buyers of American methanol. I n the export trade in glycerol, shipments showed a remarkable gain in volume. They were three times as large as in 1927. The value did not increase proportionately, however, totaling only $259,000 in 1928 as compared with $144,000 in the previous year. The increase was due t o larger shipments

Vol. 21, No. 4

generally, but especially to Canada and Mexico, which between them take about five-sixths of the total. Much the largest factor in our export trade in industrial chemicals is the group of sodium compounds. I n point of value they made u p about 60 per cent of the total in 1927 and 45 per cent in 1928, the figure for the former year being $9,672,000 and for last year $11,624,000. Caustic soda was the leading member of the sodium family in 1928, the value of the exports rising to $3,488,000 from the $2,994,000 of 1927. Japan was the chief buyer, followed by Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Argentina, Brazil, and the Philippines. A close second to caustic soda was borax, sales of which totaled $3,454,000, a big gain over the $2,422,000 of 1927. Japan also is prominent in this trade, although the biggest buyer is the United Kingdom. Sodium carbonate sales abroad were valued a t $1,241,000, an increase over 1927. Pigments, Paints, and Varnishes

Imports of articles in this classification showed very little variation in 1928 from the 1927 totals. The greatest change was an increase in lithopone and other zinc pigments, which totaled 22,681,000 pounds, valued a t $1,041,000, as compared with 18,787,000 pounds valued a t $886,000 in 1927. Imports of mineral-earth pigments consisted of 25,491,000 pounds of iron oxide and hydroxide pigments and 21,499,000 pounds of ochers and siennas, both representing a small gain over the trade of the year before. Imported paints, stains, and enamels were valued a t $565,000, about 17 per cent less than in 1927. The small varnish trade of about $50,000 registered sd 12 per cent gain. Sales of these articles to our foreign customers, on the other hand, showed a healthy increase, being about 20 per cent more. The largest increase was that in exports of carbon black, which climbed from 54,431,000 pounds valued a t 34,600,000 in 1927 to 77,903,000 pounds valued a t $6,794,000 last year. European countries and Canada are the leading buyers. Exports of lacquers were valued a t $1,392,000, of ship-bottom paints a t $111,000, and of paint specialties at $1,223,000. These items are new in the trade statistics. The popularity of American ready-mixed paints in their established markets continued unabated. Besides those mentioned, enamel paints were sold to the value of $1,595,000, about 30 per cent more than in 1927; roofing preparations to the value of $725,000, a gain of nearly 80 per cent; and other ready-mixed paints to the value of $5,294,000, a small decrease. Oil varnishes fell off from 482,000 gallons valued a t $870,000 to 438,000 gallons valued a t $782,000 and other varnishes from 802,000 gallons valued a t $1,740,000 to 412,000 gallons valued a t $588,000. Zinc oxides, 29,598,000 pounds having a value of $1,850,000, were about the same as in 1927, but mineral-earth pigments, ocher, umber, sienna, etc., fell off slightly in value, the total being 38,743,000 pounds valued a t $1,086,000. Fertilizers and Fertilizer Materials

The increase in imports under this heading was the largest in the whole chemical group, about 619,000,000. It was in evidence in all three classes of fertilizers, and is to be accounted for by higher prices for cotton and other farm products in this country as compared with 1927. While notable gains are to be seen in almost every item, the largest occurred in the trade in Chilean nitrates. Our 1928 purchases of sodium nitrates totaled 1,033,000 tons as compared with 749,000 tons in 1927. The value was $36,991,000 as against $30,132,000. The tonnage of this trade was the second highest in any year since the war, being surpassed only by the 1,112,000 tons of 1925. It showed no trace of the mooted competition with

INDUSTRIAL AND ENGIhTEERIATGCHEMISTRY

April, 1929

synthetic nitrogen. Evidence of new conditions, however, is very strong when we turn to the values of these imports. In 1927 there was a marked decline in value of nitrate imports, and this continued unchecked in 1928. Until 1926 the declared value of our nitrate imports a t port of shipment hovered around 547 and $48 per ton. I n 1926 the average value of imports dropped to 846.79 and in 1927 to $40.24. Last year the average value was only 835.81 per ton. Trade in other nitrogenous fertilizers continued heavy. Cyanamide imports from Canada showed a good gain, the total for this item being 136,000 tons as against 109,000 tons in 1927. Of particular interest are the figures for Germany’s product, ammonium sulfate-nitrate, which in three years has become equal in value to cyanamide. In 1926 this trade amounted to 16,000 tons. It rose to 44,659 tons in 1927 and last year reached 81,791 tons, vslued a t S4,679,000. Imports of bone phosphate, valued a t $2,567,000, showed a 66 per cent gain. Potash imports in 1928 were much the highest in the history of the trade. The following shows the trade in the four big classes of potash in the last two years: I m p o r t s of P o t a s h i n t o t h e U n i t e d 1927 Tons Value Chloride, crude (muriate) 163,817 85,739,000 Sulfate, crude 68,904 2,948,000 Kainite 102,987 815,000 Manure salts 277,998 3,677,000 9,403 245,000 Other

TOTAL

623,109

13,424,000

States

Tons

1928

S8,182,000 3,908,000 887,000 5,251,000 330,000

842,556

18,658,000

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falling off in 1928, exports totaling 2,942,000 pounds valued a t $2,669,000 as against 3,828,000 pounds valued a t $3,357,000 in the year before. Creams, rouges, and other cosmetics, valued a t $1,898,000, were about 11 per cent higher than in 1927 and talcum and other toilet powders, $1,606,000, showed a small decrease. MATERIALS RELATED

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TO C H E M I C A L I N D U S T R I E S

Commodities of commercial importance in which the chemical industries may be interested are sometimes listed under other groups than “Chemicals,” such as “Vegetable Products.” It will be of interest to show the trade in the more important of these articles here. Mineral Oils Although the 1927 trade set a new high mark in the volume of petroleum and petroleum products exported, the 1928 trade went well beyond it. In point of value last year’s total was still well below the record of 1926. For the last three years the value of this trade has been as follows: 1926, $554,534,000; 1927, $485,903,000; 1928, $525,537,000. The quantities and value of the principal classes of products in the last two years mere as follows:

Value

233,611 86,458 107,051 404,680 10,756

303

Barrels Petroleum, crude Gasoline, naphtha, and other light products Illuminating oil Gas and fuel oil Lubricating oil

1927

1928

Value

Barrels

Value

15,843,000

$25,944,000

18,961,000

$26,786,000

43,334,000 19,332,000 42,963,000 9,606,000

209,839,000 79,303,000 49,802,000 88,843,000

51,757,000 21,853,000 41,558,000 10,850,000

231,970,000 93,478,000 45,797,000 91,591,000

I n the export trade in fertilizers last year saw a fair deIn the main, this export trade followed its well-established crease in both sulfate of ammonia and phosphates. Of the former, shipments abroad totaled 93,015 tons valued a t lines. In the trade in the higher refined oils the largest 64,373,000 as compared with 138,692tons valued a t S6,827,000 buyer continued to be the United Kingdom, which took 15,in 1927. The Netherlands East Indies and Japan, the tlTo 641,000 barrels valued a t $60,814,000 in 1928, a larger quanbiggest buyers, both took about one-third less. Exports of tity but a smaller total value than in the year before. France high-grade hard phosphate rock fell from 128,774 tons valued was the second largest buyer with 7,726,000 barrels valued a t a t $889,000 in 1927 to 92,517 tons valued a t $626,000 last $31,777,000, a substantial increase over 1927. Argentina, year. Land pebble exports were heavier in quantity, 806,247 Canada, and Australia are the largest buyers outside of Europe. Crude petroleum goes mostly to Canada, which increased tons against 789,437 tons in 1927, but the value, $3,827,000 was slightly below that of last year. Superphosphates fell its purchases from 13,036,000 barrels valued a t $21,579,000 in 1927 to 15,431,000 barrels valued a t 322,235,000 in 1928. from 107,507 tons to 88,613 tons. Most of the other exports go to Europe, Cuba, and Japan, all Explosives, Fuses, Etc. of which bought more heavily. I n the trade in kerosene Imports under this heading, comprising only a few articles, China displaced the United Kingdom as the leading buyer, were valued a t $979.000 in 1928 as compared with $1,093,- taking 4,769,000 barrels in 1928, almost double the 1927 000 in 1927. Firecrackers, the chief item, totaled S780,OOO purchases. The value of these shipments was $28,361,000. in value as against $835,000 in the year before. In the export The Cnited Kingdom took 2,945,000 barrels, somewhat less trade there was a big increase in smokeless powder, shipments than in 1927. In addition to the exportation of these oils the TJnited of which rose from 236,000 pounds valued a t $168,000 in 1927 t o 1,998,000 pounds valued a t 81,608,000 last year. Dyna- States in 1928 supplied fuel or bunker oil to vessels engaged in mite, the chief item of the group, registered foreign sales of foreign trade to the extent of 51,125,000 barrels, as compared 15,501,000 pounds valued a t 82,171,000 in 1928 as compared with 72,967,000 barrels in 1927. More than half of this with 12,110,000 pounds valued a t $1,808,000 in the year amount went to foreign vessels. The drain imposed upon our supply of oil by these exports before. is partly offset by a large import trade. In 1928 our purSoaps and Toilet Preparations chases of petroleum and petroleum products had a value of This group in the import trade is comprised largely of per- $132,782,000 as against $113,434,000 in 1927. The trade fumery and perfume materials, nearly all from France. included 79,767,000 barrels of crude petroleum, of which Perfumery, bay rum, and toilet waters purchased from 24,989,000 barrels came from the Dutch West Indies and abroad last year were vslued a t $1,613,000, as against $2,002,- 21,987,000 barrels from Venezuela, the latter country no doubt 000 in 1927, and perfume materials a t $3,550,000 as against being the source of all these shipments. Mexico supplied us 84,329,000. Imports of castile, toilet, and other soaps with 17,584,000 barrels and Colombia with 11,838,000 barrels. totaled $1,185,000 in value in 1928 and $1,135,000 in 1927. Imports of refined oils were valued at $40,943,000 as against Exports of soap were somewhat smaller last year. Toilet $33,638,000 in 1927. or fancy soap valued a t $2,301,000 was sent to our foreign Sulfur customers as against a value of $2,802,000 in 1927, and laundry soap, the largest item of the group, totaled $3,375,000 Exports of sulfur fell off both in quantity and value in 1928, as compared with $3,878,000. Dental creams of American totaling 685,000 tons valued a t 614,352,000 as compared with make, so popular in all parts of the world, showed a decided 789,000 tons valued a t 316,254,000 in the previous year.

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304

The three chief buyers are Canada, Germany, and France, all of whom took smaller amounts. Aside from Canada, Australia is the principal non-European buyer. Vegetable, Animal, a n d Essential Oils

Among the imports of expressed oils the chief one is coconut oil from the Philippines, trade in which reached practically the same proportions in 1928 as in 1927, the total being 290,637,000 pounds valued a t $23,061,000. Chinese wood oil increased from 89,650,000 pounds valued a t $11,810,000 in 1927 to 107,357,000 pounds valued a t $13,419,000 last year. Palm oil is third in importance. It showed imports of 171,366,000 pounds valued a t $11,161,000, a gain in both quantity and value over 1927. I n the export trade cottonseed oil shipments fell off materially, registering 51,702,000 pounds with a value of $4,657,000 as against 67,982,000 pounds valued at $5,938,000 in the year before. About four-fifths of these exports go to Canada. Coconut oil to the extent of 24,653,000 pounds valued a t $2,088,000 was exported last year, about 20 per cent more than in 1927. The chief animal oil imported is whale oil, of which we obtained 9,118,000 gallons valued a t $4,202,000 from foreign countries in 1928, an increase of some 75 per cent over 1927. Cod-liver oil amounting to 2,579,000 gallons and valued a t $2,517,000 was brought from abroad. Exports of animal oils, aside from lard and lard compounds, are mostly oleo oils, of which we sold 62,779,000 pounds valued a t $8,281,000 in 1928 as against 78,781,000 pounds valued a t $9,599,000 in the year before. Exports of inedible oils and greases were valued a t $7,035,000, considerably under the 1927 figure. Imports of essential and distilled oils were as follows in the last two years: I m p o r t s of E s s e n t i a l a n d Distilled Oils 1927 Cassia and cinnamon Otto of roses, ounces Geranium Bergamot Citronella and lemon grass Lavendar and spike lavendar Lemon Orange Sandalwood All other

TOTAL

Pounds

Value

377,558

$488,000

104,000 1,465,665 322,892

628,000 612,000 927,000

';$;: :E;$$,

1928

Pounds

Value

$383,000

99,982 1,408,460 296,309

506,000 569,000 708,000

:;:$::

~ 4,080~ 16,000 ~ ;~~~;~~~ $ l$'gi$:: ~ 11,741 41,000 3,496,132 1,794,000 3,859,800 1,868,000 __-- ---- ---- ____ 6,449,000

a t $4,226,000 as compared with 112,002,000pounds valued a t $4,930,000 in 1927. Quebracho wood imports, on the other hand, showed a gain, 75,995 tons valued a t $1,228,000 being imported as against 60,926 tons valued at $1,068,000 in 1927. Logwood, the second largest item, was valued a t $611,000, a small gain over the previous year. Exports of chestnut extract almost doubled in 1928, the total for the year being 10,652,000 pounds valued a t $351,000. Logwood extract, 2,099,000 pounds valued a t $206,000, was the only important dyeing material exported aside from coaltar products. Rubber

Crude rubber imports were higher in quantity but very much lower in total value in 1928 than in 1927, amounting to 978,107,000 pounds valued a t $244,855,000 last year as against 954,750,000 pounds valued a t $339,859,000 in the preceding year. There was no marked change in amounts received direct from the principal sources, British Malaya slightly decreasing her shipments and the Dutch East Indies rising from 170,000,000 pounds to 190,000,000 pounds. Naval Stores, Gums, a n d Resins

The chief item of import under this heading, shellac, showed a slight decline in 1928, imports totaling 24,056,000 pounds valued a t $10,210,000 as against 25,102,000 pounds valued a t $10,395,000 in 1927. Other varnish gums and resins remained a t about the same figure. Chicle imports were 12,435,000 pounds valued a t $6,296,000, a small increase Over 1927. Crude natural camphor imports were much higher, 4,365,000 pounds valued a t $1,649,000 being brought from abroad as compared with 1,690,000 pounds valued a t $810,000 in 1927. In the export trade in naval stores, gums, and resins the year saw a marked decline, the total value for these wares being $ $26,433,000 ~ ~ as compared with $34,335,000 in the preceding year. Both rosin and turpentine shared in the decrease. Gum rosin was exported to the extent Of 1,022,000 ~barrels valued a t 815,563,000 as compared with 1,238,000 barrels valued a t $20,927,000 in 1927, and wood rosin exports were 152,111 barrels valued a t $2,053,000 as against 144,000 barrels valued a t $2,155,000. The largest decrease was in the trade with Germany which fell off nearly one-fourth. Turpentine exports reached a mark of 12,507.000 barrels valued at S6,67,5,000 as compared with 15,810,000 barrels valued a t $9,505,000 in the year before. Shipments to Germany were larger by some 13 per cent, but the United Kingdom, the largest buyer, took only 4,511,000 gallons as against 7,579,000 gallons in 1927.

~ ::: ~ $::

319,431

'

Vol. 21, No. 4

6,6991000

Exports Jf essential and distilled oils had a value of $1,887,000 in 1928, as compared with $2,124,000 in 1927. About one-third of this trade is made up of peppermint oil. Dyeing a n d T a n n i n g Materials

As usual, quebracho extract was the largest import in this group, our purchases amounting to 94,901,000 pounds valued

Copper in the Manufacture of Oil Burners Approximately 5 million pounds of copper are consumed annually in the manufacture of oil-burning installations, according to a survey by the Copper and Brass Research Association. The survey discloses a striking recent exploitation of the field for household oil-heating apparatus. In 1919 the first approved oil heater for homes was listed. Five years later there were less than a dozen approved types. Today over one hundred domestic oil heaters are sanctioned by the fire underwriters. Sales of these domestic installations now total about 100,000 units per year. Domestic oil-burner sales apparently have outstripped automobile sales 10 to 1 over a corresponding initial period of industrial life. As the potential market for household oil heaters is estimated a t 2 million new units, an extensive field for expansion is afforded to the manufacturers of the domestic apparatus. The oil-heating industry may be subdivided into a t least two well-defined fields-domestic and industrial. A third field, the commercial, comes midway and overlaps the other two. Domestic and commercial burners are used entirely for heating buildings, the commercial heaters being either large-sized domes-

tic burners or small models of industrial burners. The strictly industrial burners (Diesel type apparatus not included) are used under boilers for raising steam for power or process use, and in furnaces for carrying out various heating operations. Copper, mainly in the form of its alloy, brass, is used for approximately 100 parts of the various assemblies in the several types of equipment. As many as 25 pounds of brass are used in some types of domestic apparatus, with an average of 10 pounds of brass and 2 of copper. Some models of industrial equipment use 50 pounds of brass and average 17 of brass and 3 of copper. The present rate of development in the oil-heating industry points to a copper consumption totaling 7 million pounds per year in the production of parts for oil heaters. The potential field for the commercial type of heater is estimated a t 260,000 units, and for industrial burners 175,000 units. I n the domestic field, twenty-two manufacturers produce about 70 per cent of the total output. Some eighteen or twenty manufacturers produce most of the industrial burners. Altogether there are upwards of five hundred firms now manufacturing oilburning heaters or parts.