I
MARKETS
Rosin Due to Get Tight Consumption is up a n d may increase further as p r o duction falls; result m a y be cut- in exports .Avosix consumption is u p . Both in this country and in foreign markets, consumption is running well ahead of last year. Reasons: increased industrial activity, a general economic upswing, and, in some countries, a markedly higher standard of living. Rosin production, however, is barely holding its own; and if present trends continue, a world-wide shortage of rosin seems likely. This is the essence of w h a t four industry experts h a d to say at the naval stores breakfast held during the National Paint, Vamish and Lacquer Association meeting in Atlantic City. The amount of rosin p r o d u c e d in this country has held fairly steady over the past 50 years. In 1909, when gum from southern pines was the sole source, production came to just under 2 million drums (520 pounds e a c h ) . In 1949, after wood rosin output surpassed that of gum rosin, production was just over 2 million drums. And for the year ending this past March 3 1 , output came to 1,857,000 drums, even with the help of rosin from the tall oil industry. H. L. Meyer of Chematar Pine Products told the meeting that rosin production this year will be only 1% or 27c higher than last year. And the immediate future after that is even more glum, says Mr. Meyer. Production in 1961 should come to about 1,755,000 d r u m s ; in 1962 the figure will b e 1,655,000. • Consumption Up 1 6 % . What about consumption? This year, domestic consumption should come to around 1,600,000 drums, 16% more than last year, according to Mr. Meyer. Exports should be u p about 2 5 % to 625,000 drums; so total rosin disappearance will b e 18 c/< more than last season. Mr. Meyer believes that U. S. consumption will not fall in t h e next three years; if anything, it will b e higher. Result: Even with the reserve rosin stocks held b y the Commodity Credit Corp., exports may fall to practically nothing b y 1962. W o r l d wide 32
C&EN
NOV.
2,
1959
the on tlook is much the same: production stuck on a plateau while d e m a n d continues to increase. Reduced exports from t h e U . S. will mean a squeeze for the many countries that depend at least partly on this country for their rosin needs. Chaînées for stepping up rosin production in the near future are not too bright. AVood rosin production has leveled off at a high plateau, and, because of the availability of pine stumps, the question of how long this production rsate can be maintained has been in controversy for some time, J. L. Slattery of Newport Industries says. The a n s w e r is not d e a r , says Mr. Slattery. But h e points out that several new w o o d rosin plants have been built recently, and that companies would
not b e making capital investments in w o o d rosin if they were not sure of their raw material supply. " W e can expect a w o o d rosin industry for many m o r e years a n d a n y decline in production will be gradual," h e concludes. • P r o b l e m s with Gum. C u m rosin, once the major source of rosin, n o w accounts for about 20f.r of total production. There will he a very small increase, if any, in gum naval stores next year, says John Laws, vice president of Filtered Rosin Products. His reasons: • Shortage of labor—young men are not interested in turpentining. • Λνοι-king specifications arc not in accord with accepted practices for get ting highest yield per tree. • Cost of long term financing and equipment. • Past instability of rosin and turpen tine prices. Production could be increased within R\'(j years if some changes w e r e m a d e , says Mr. L a w s . Among t h e m : higher prices, technical advances to in crease gum flow a n d r e d u c e labor costs, and encouraged interest in working m o r e trees and getting more efficient use of trees now in production. O v e r the long term the outlook is more favor-
Formerly on α Plateau, Rosin Output Now Faces Falloff (520-pound drums)
Y" «a Γ-
Gum
Wood
Tall Oil
1 949
921,220
1,154,812
1959
369,350
1,182,620
305,060
1,857,030
1960*
350,000
1,175,000
365,000
1,890,000
1961*
375,000
1,000,000
380,000
1,755,000
1962*
390,000
850,000
415,000
1,655,000
•· ·
Total 2,076,032
Meanwhile, domestic consumption of about 1.6 million d r u m s per year will at least hold its own, may even increaseResult: Exports, now about 625,000 drums per year, will have t o be cut. * Estimates. Sources: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau o f Census, and Chematar Rine Products.
WEEK'S PRICE f CHANGES October 26, 1959 Advances CURRENT
C a d m i u m selenide lithopone, l b . Fted, m e d i u m light Fted, d a r k NIaroon \ ellow Orange K.e»i, m e d i u m licht, CP Vellow, C P Orange, C P Casein, c.l., lb. Coconut oil, crude, t a n k s , Coast, lb. Copper scrap, l b . : NTo. 1 NTo. 2 Grease. yellow, lb. Cîuxn S t y r a x , A s i a t i c , l b . P a l m oil, d r u m s , l b . P e a n u t oil, tanks, l b . : Crude Refined S a f î l o w e r oil, t a n k s , A t lantic Ports, lb. Z i n c , E a s t St. Louis, l b . *
-t-Htvious
1 Q3 2.49 2.β9 1.12 1.51
1.90 2.46 2.6 1.09 1.4S
4.SO 2.75 4.05 0.21»Λ
4.70 2.65 3.95 0.21 Ά
0.19Vi
0.19
0.27»/2 0.2«î O.OôVs G.OO 0.1425
0.26 Va 0.25 0.O5>/4 4.25 0.1395
0.1272 0.15V4
0.1 IV2 0.14V
