business of most high-volume, general-purpose polymers. Hawthorne and Stoppert describe a broad range of functional performance, suitable for a wide variety of applications. For example, they say, PLA's gloss, clarity, temperature stability, and processibility are comparable with polystyrene; its ten sile strength and modulus are comparable with certain other thermoplastics but PLA is more heat sealable at lower tempera tures than many other thermoplastics; and its resistance to grease and oil and its good flavor and odor barrier properties com pare to polyethylene terephthalate. PLA resins can be flexible or rigid and can be copolymerized with other materi als, according to Cargill Dow. As with all polymers, molecular weight can be ma nipulated. In addition, because lactic acid exists as stereoisomers, stereochem istry is a variable in producing amor phous, semicrystalline, or crystalline polymers. PLA can be processed by most common methods such as thermoforming, sheet and film extrusion, blown film, fiber spinning, and injection molding in existing equipment. PLA is not, however, a new material. Cargill has been working on its develop ment for more than a decade and mar kets it under the EcoPLA trade name. The EcoPLA formulation biodegrades when composted. Universities and com panies in the Midwest corn belt have been among the most active in develop ing applications, and most commercial products are for packaging and agricul tural uses. Although producers say it offers great opportunities, the market for biodegrad able polymers has been slow to take off. Cargill and Dow are promoting the use of feedstocks based on renewable re sources, but are emphasizing the func tionality of PLA polymers and not their degradability. "We expect to more fully exploit the potential of lactic acid-based chemistry first and foremost because that represents the backbone of these poly mers," says Hawthorne. "We will formulate based on custom er needs," Stoppert adds. "If degradabili ty is not a concern, then obviously it opens up a broader range of additives or blends that can be put together for a spe cific application. We are just in our infan cy on the development of these poly mers, and there is a lot of work that needs to be done yet on additives, blends, [and] copolymers. And all of that work is ahead of us." Ann Thayer 16 DECEMBER 8, 1997 C&EN
Chemical industry data are back Demand for U.S. chemical industry prod ucts grew at an average annual rate of 1.5% from 1992 to 1994. That rate in creased to 2.0% per year—based on 1992 constant-dollar shipments—for 1994-96, but is expected to drop back to 1.7% for the 1996-98 period. Such estimates and the data on which they are based are dear to the hearts of chemical industry executives and ana lysts, not to mention reporters who cov er the industry. They used to be readily available in "U.S. Industrial Outlook," an annual publication of the Department of Commerce. But federal budget cuts took their toll and the publication was discon tinued in 1995. Now it's back and better than ever, thanks to an innovative partnership bro kered by Commerce's National Technical Information Service. NTIS, explains its di rector, Donald R. Johnson, used its unique joint-venture authority to bring together the International Trade Adminis tration and the McGraw-Hill Companies' DRI and Standard & Poor's divisions.
Both organizations contributed their ex pertise to researching and writing "U.S. Industry & Trade Outlook 1998." This 650-page volume includes re views and forecasts for 50 industrial sec tors ranging from metals and industrial minerals mining (chapter 1) to education and training services (chapter 50). The chemicals and allied products sector, dealt with in chapter 12, is further bro ken down into industrial inorganic chem icals, industrial organic chemicals, mis cellaneous chemical products, agricultur al chemicals, drugs, in vitro and in vivo diagnostic substances, biotechnology, cleaning preparations, and cosmetics. For each sector, the outlook identifies global and domestic industry trends, fac tors affecting future growth, and global market prospects. It provides data on im port and export volumes, sales, shipments, and the names and phone numbers of the analysts who prepared each chapter. Hard copies of the Outlook, NTIS or der number PB97-165443INQ, are avail able for $69.95, plus $4.00 shipping and handling, by calling (800) 553-6847. A CD-ROM version, PB97-503601INQ, is also available for $125. Janice Long
Engineers flock to New York Chem Show Chemical engineers flocked to New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center late last month for the 47th bi ennial Chemical Process Industries Exposition—the Chem Show. The three-day exhibit spread over 4 acres of show space displayed the latest in process equipment; instruments; valves, pipes and other fluid-handling equipment; powder processing ma chinery; and also pollution abatement and waste treatment technologies. On hand were some 923 exhibitors and 15,726 registered visitors. Primarily serving as an exposition since 1915, the Chem Show now also includes technical seminars, exhibitor work
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