PUBLICATION O F F I C E : E a a t o n , EDITORIAL, O F F I C E :
Industrial
NEWS EDITION
VOL.
12, No. 13
JULY
10, 1934
AND
ENGINEERING
Chemistry VOL. 26, CONSECUTIVE PUBLISHED
NO. 23
BY T H E A M E R I C A N C H E M I C A L HARRISON E . HOWE, EDITOR
SOCIETY
Pa.
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Foreign Conditions Affecting Fertilizer 1 C. C. CONCANNON, Chemical Division, Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, Department of Commerce, Washington, D. C. ALTHOUGH THE emergency activities of the Government, the AAA, the TVA, the NBA, and the fertilizer code, with all their concomitants, attract and hold the attention of the industry, it should not be to the exclusion of other matters and of foreign activities which vitally affect our domestic fertilizer industry. The fertilizer industry is notably international in sentiment, antecedents, and set-up. This is due largely to the raw material situation and to the fact that plant foods are essential in the economic scheme of every nation; thus, there exist throughout the world a common interest in, and a general knowledge of, fertilizers. Though the fertilizer industry is essentially international and has become more so as the world has grown smaller, as time and space are abridged, yet paradoxically the fertilizer industry becomes more strongly nationalistic because of its essential character in peace time and in time of war as well. The world cannot get along without fertilizers, and though consumption fell in 1932 to a record low for recent years, the sharp recovery which occurred during 1933 placed the total volume of chemical plant foods applied to the world's arable land in excess of the average consumption for the five-year period— 1924-2S. From the elemental standpoint, consumption of nitrogen showed a considerable gain, potash remaining about the same and phosphoric acid registering a decline. The United States suffers by comparison with the world as a whole, in that our consumption of fertilizers has fallen much below the general average. There seems to be no uniform tendency in production and consumption as one views the countries of the world. I t is, likewise, impossible to generalize upon prices which in various countries have shown both advances and declines. Government interventions or fiats of one kind or another, artificial devices from the standpoint of unrestricted production of goods and the free flow of commerce, are controlling factors of the first magnitude throughout the fertilizer industry of the world. The Chilean Nitrate Reorganization Bill, the new German Potash Council, the German Nitrogen Syndicate, the European International Nitrogen Cartel, the North African-American Phosphate Agreement are foreign matters of major consideration affecting the American fertilizer industry, and of equal and perhaps more significance are the strenuous efforts on the part of Japan and Russia, not only in building u p their own fertilizer industry, but in striving to gain an increased share in foreign trade. T H E GERMAN FERTILIZER INDUSTRY
Because it naturally comes first to mind, let me discuss recent happenings in Germany, where various governmental measures improved the farmers' financial position, and enabled them to meet their needs for fertilizer by credit guarantees of the government. In the field of controlled economy, the compulsory cartel law of July 15, 1933, empowering the minister of national economy to intervene in any branch of trade or industry, to compel the adherence of firms to existing cartels or cartels to be formed, or to cause the dissolution or modification of cartels in the interest of national economy, was one of the outstanding events of the past year. 1 Address delivered before t h e annual convention of the National Fertilizer Association, June 12, 1934, The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.
One of the most important cases of governmental intervention related to the potash industry, which had been cartelized for years. Its operation has been governed by special Hws and, more specifically, by the Potash Council, consisting of 30 elected members representing various national groups interested in potash. At first the council was reorganized and the representation of agriculture increased at the expense of labor. However, this action was followed by much more drastic measures later in the year, when the Council was completely abolished and its functions assumed by a bureau headed by an appointed official. Measures prohibiting the development of new mines and designed to give stability to the potash industry over a long period of years were also taken for prolonging the general laws of the production quotas held by the several producing groups. Another outstanding case of increased trade cooperation was the strengthening of the Nitrogen Syndicate. After months of investigation, the government intervened and required a reduction of 7 per cent in the schedule of domestic prices of nitrogenous fertilizers fixed by the syndicate, retroactive to July, 1933, and insured adherence to the syndicate of those producers remaining outside of it. Ninety-eight per cent of the total German output of nitrogen was controlled by the syndicate, and producers were able to operate at approximately 35 per cent of capacity under the quota restrictions of the syndicate. The new alignment involved the government in definitely prohibiting the construction of new nitrogen plants. Another important feature of advantage to member producers engaged in export was a revised method of profit calculation established by the syndicate. Much lower financial returns were secured from competitive foreign trade and much higher yields from the protected domestic market—an arrangement designed to better the competitive position of German producers, as a group, against foreign producers. In practically all cases the improved relations among manufacturers brought relief, and company reports so far seen almost invariably comment upon the beneficial effects afforded b y new cartel or code relations. Further gains in output of superphosphate were made in 1933 recovering part of the heavy losses in 1931. Output of superphosphates increased 7 per cent, or by 46,000 metric tons, to 685,000 tons in 1933, from 639,000 in 1932, and a low of only 509,000 in 1931. Despite the gains, the German industry has been operating at less than 50 per cent of capacity and continues to leave much to be desired from a profit point of view. The gains were due primarily to a reduction of imports, resulting from drastic import restrictions. The increased activity of the superphosphate industry brought about a much greater importation of the requisite raw material, phosphate rock, imports of which rose by almost 50 per cent. Sales of nitrogen each month since the beginning of the fertilizer year, July, 1933, have been considerably above the level of the corresponding period of the preceding year. Results were gratifying to producers, inasmuch as the fertilizer year ended June 30, 1933, showed an increase of 26,000 metric tons to a total of 351,000 tons, from 325,000 tons in the year ended June 30, 1932. The upward trend continued through, the early months of 1934. Actual financial returns to German exporters were unsatisfactory, owing to the marked price reductions which were made in order to hold the market in foreign countries. This was particu-
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larly true of many products experiencing considerably intensified competition, of which the fertilizer group was a n outstanding example. REORGANIZATION OF CHILEAN NITRATE INDUSTRY
The reorganization of the Chilean nitrate industry has been accompanied by remarkable happenings and Chile seems to b e industrially revivified. The law creating the Chilean Nitrate and Iodine Sales Corp., promulgated January 8,1934:, fundamentally transformed and reorganized the Chilean nitrate industry. In brief, the sales corporation will acquire new nitrate from t h e producers at a direct cost price, plus $1.50 a ton, and old stocks a t 3 pounds sterling a metric ton. The cost price for new nitrate will not take into account interest on capital, amortization, and service on loans. Selling prices will be regulated b y the conditions ruling in the market, without taking into primary consideration the profit to be obtained. The affiliated companies must produce nitrate, even when it is not possible t o meet the service on any debt. The purpose of the legislation is to giiarantee trie existence of the nitrate industry and place it in a position t o compete in world markets. The relegation to secondary importance of all efforts to make profits will permit the corporation to adjust sales prices to meet the most unfavorable condition that may arise. Profits, if any, will be divided, 25 per cent to the government in lieu of export taxes previously paid, and t h e balance, with certain exceptions, goes to the producers. To amplify and bring the statement up to date, the Nitrate Sales Corp. may be said to have officially begun to function with the first meeting of the directors in Valparaiso, January 29. Preliminary negotiations looking toward the possible fusion of the Anglo-Chilean and Lautaro Nitrate Companies were still i n progress during April, 1934:. Under the quotas determined b y the Nitrate Sales Corp. for the next five years, independent producers will receive slightly less than 5 per cent, one-third of t h e balance being assigned to Cosach in liquidation, and the remaining two-thirds to the Anglo-Chilean and Lautaro Nitrate Companies, 48 per cent to the former and 52 per cent to the latter. That there has been a great increase in activity in Chilean nitrate is evidenced by the export statistics. During the period July 1 to the middle of May of the 1933-34 fertilizer year, Chilean exports of nitrate were approximately 1,089,000 metric tons, as against 986,000 tons in the corresponding period of 1932-33, and 903,000 tons in 1931-32. Even greater nitrate activity is forecast by the President of Chile in his May 21, 1934, message to congress. Noteworthy correlated developments affecting t h e nitrate industry were the much increased exportation of sulfur and trie considerable development of sodium sulfate manufacture. Sulfur was exported from Chile to south Atlantic ports of the United States, to San Francisco, and to Europe. In a new plant of trie Anglo-Chilean Nitrate Co. output of sodium sulfate averaged 5000 tons monthly last year. T H E JAPANESE COMPETITION
EDITION
Vol. 12, N~o. 13
Sir Harry McGowan, chairman of Imperial Chemical Industries, says in a recent article: "There has probably never been a trade phenomenon which has developed so rapidly as Japanese competition. Four years ago it was hardly showing above the eastern horizon, b u t "now it has covered practically all the markets of the world." What is t o be expected from Japanese competition? A glance a t the record will show that fertilizers contributed to betterment of Japan's export position, and phosphate rock was an outstanding exception in a reduced schedule of imports. Other imports -were nitrate of soda and potash, the 1932 total of 62 million yen increasing t o 82 million yen in 1933. Exports more than doubled in value in the last two years (from 3 to 7 milhon yen) and almost doubled in quantity. The increase in exports was due largely to shipments to the United States of ammonium sulfate, receipts of which our statistics show have been exceptionally heavy during the opening months of 1934. At the risk of placing overemphasis upon Japan, I will sketch. t h e salient facts of Japan's investment position in the chemical industry with particular reference t o the fertilizer business. Capit a l investment as of December, 1932, in t h e Japanese chemical industry, including industrial, medicinal, dye, fertilizer, paint, soap, toiletries, matches, and other non-enumerated brandies of chemical classification, totaled 511 million yen embracing 1451 companies. In this group were 173 fertilizer companies with paid-up capital of 230 milhon yen. Inspired by the desire for economic self-sufficiency, motivated by the will to build up a chemical industry that shall be free of foreign dependence i n the event of a national emergency, and not losing sight of the profit feature, new companies were organized to manufacture import a n t items, for which Japan had depended on foreign countries, and the capacities of existing plants were extended to meet increasing demand. More new capital was invested in the cbemical industry in 1933 than in any other industry, according t o the figures published b y the Bank of Japan. A total of 190 million yen in new chemical-capital was invested in 1933, compared "with a total of 368 million yen invested in all industries. It is impossible to include in this presentation all foreign countries, and selection has been made on the basis of general economic importance and t h e scope of fertilizer relations with the United States. RUSSIAN COMPETITION-
Russia appears in the fertilizer picture with increasing importance. The promise of future competition in our markets abroad and a t home is disquieting. Development of a strong chemical industry was a fundamental feature of the Soviet first five-year plan and probably more actual progress has been made i n the chemical phase than in any other direction in Russia's striving for self-sufficiency. Chemical plans are a n important part of t h e second five-year plan and tiie development of fertilizer raw material resources and the manufacture of chemical plant foods are being emphasized. In the Soviet Union the development of Khibiny apatite (phosphate rock) and Solikamsk potasfa. are nailed as amazing victories of Soviet mining and chemistry. Though a former importer of small quantities of phosphate rock, Russia furnished almost 9 per cent of the world total in 1933, ranking fourth in world production. The American fertilizer industry has been fortunate in recent years in that at least oneof its essential raw materials, potash, has maintained a steady price level in the interest of all consumers. What the future holds in store so far as potash of Russian origin is concerned, is aproblem for which there is no answer at present.
The chemical fertilizer industry profited in 1933 from increased farm income. The favorable factors affecting the demand for fertilizers were reflected in increased domestic production of t h e leading chemical fertilizers and a general advance in prices. The present level of farm prices is so low that fertilizer purchases must, of necessity, be reduced to a minimum. T h e high productive capacity of the arable land in Japan has been made possible only by intensive fertilization, however, and there is a definite lirnit to which farmers may reduce their purchases of fertilizers. The average annual value of fertilizer produced in Japan T H E POSITION OF THE SPANISH POTASH INDUSTRY proper during the five-year period 1928-32 was 170 million yen, The Spanish Potash industry is interesting in its present deand 1932 output was 158 million yen. Value of production i n velopment and in what may be its future position in the fertili1933 was probably about 200 million yen. Official 1933 production figures of Japan's leading fertilizers zer world. In 1933 Spain assumed an important position inshow considerable gains over 1932 output. Ammonium sulfate world potash trade, exports having increased t o 197,000 tons increased from 685,000 tons to 714,000 tons, and superphosphate, from 66,000 tons in 1932 and 26,000 tons in 1931. From. im t o 1932 the United States was the chief foreign buyer of Spanish. from 1,038,000 to 1,128,000. The effective control over prices established by t h e Sulphate potash, but in 1933 the Netherlands occupied first place with 4£ of Ammonia Distribution Guild resulted in an average price dar- per cent of the total, followed by the United States with 2 5 per ing the year of 94.13 yen per metric ton, an increase of 21.33 yen cent, and Japan with 7 per cent. over t h e average 1932 quotation. Cost of production in Japan MISCELLANEOUS FERTILIZER INTERESTS is estimated at approximately 65 yen per ton or less, and producers were able t o declare special dividends. T h e fa-vorable The Manchurian Chemical Industries Limited, organised in. prices resulted in many plans for the further expansion of t h e 1933, plans for completion of its plant for the manufacture ofT nitrogen-fixation industry. The domestic industry expects t o 100,000 tons of ammonium sulfate in 1935. Potash was pro— supply 810,000 tons in 1934, and the remainder will be imported duced in small commercial amounts last year in Tunisia, fromfrom the European Nitrogen Syndicate under the terms of a r e - whence large shipments of phosphate rock have been coming incent agreement at the prevailing price of 93 yen a ton. Japanese recent years. Fertilizer production was encouraged in Scotland £ producers have agreed not to export any sulfate during t h e first superphosphate output increased. In Italy, the Nordiske six months of 1934 and to limit exports to 50,000 metric tons Fabriker of Oslo, Norway, is constructing a large electrolytieduring the last half of the year. They have also agreed to a n nydrogen plant for the manufacture of synthetic ammonia. In. export price and to refrain from exporting to countries which are Czechoslovakia, there is a new superphosphate cartel—!Fosf&~ members of the international cartel. The estimated total p o - [Limited—all producers being represented in the organizationtential production for the Japanese Empire late in 1935, when I n Norway, production of electrochemicals consisting prinaarily extensions are completed and new companies in operation, is of nitrogen carriers, dominantly fertilizer bases, amounted to1,314,000 tons. 10.5 million dollars last year. Increased amounts of fertilizers.
