CONCENTRATES
INDUSTRY Use of glass-fiber-reinforced plastics in U.S. vehicles will jump 2 2 % this year, and another 55% in 1970, predicts Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. vice president Alan R. Kerivan. He expects 219 million pounds of the plastic to be used this year in transportation vehicles, with 130 million pounds going to passenger cars. The 1970 total of 335 million pounds will double by 1975, Mr. Kerivan says, and he thinks that is a conservative estimate. He attributes the boost to acceptance of sheet moldings of polyester resins and the increasing variety and reduced cost of glass-fiber-reinforced thermoplastics. The main reason for the increase in consumption is that more major auto body components are being made of the plastics, including such items as instrument panels and tail lamp and housings. Natural gas sales will triple in the next 20 years, according to the American Gas Association's 12th annual long-term projections. This assumes continued economic growth, competitive pricing, and availability of gas supplies (C&EN, Oct. 13, page 8). Gas utility and pipeline company sales to ultimate consumers will rise 5.1% annually from 145 billion therms (each equivalent to 100,000 B.t.u.) in 1968 to 271 billion therms in 1980 and 433 billion therms in 1990. Industrial sales, now a bit over half the total, will keep just even with the overall growth rate. American Cyanamid will buy Midland-Ross's IRC Fibers division if an agreement in principle between the two companies works out. Purchase price is $20 million. IRC operates a plant in Painesville, Ohio, which produces polyester tire cord, as well as rayon tire cord, textile yarns, and staple fiber. The division is also just bringing on stream a 25 million pound-per-year polyester filament plant. DDT's troubles now include a $30 billion damage suit brought against five DDT makers and three other associated companies by a private citizen on Long Island, Mrs. Carol A. Yannacone, wife of militant environmentalist lawyer Victor J. Yannacone, who has instituted previous lawsuits on DDT. Acting "individually and on behalf of all the people of the United States," Mrs. Yannacone demands judgment on the defendants including: a declaration of rights to a protected environment free of damage resulting from the "production, distribution, price-fixing, and false advertising" of DDT; restraint of the defendants "from further combination and conspiracy for the purpose of price-fixing and false advertising" as well as from production of DDT; and payment of triple damages of $30 billion to the government. Named as defendants are virtually the entire DDT industry: Montrose Chemical, Baldwin-Montrose Chemical, Chris-Craft Industries, Stauffer Chemical, Allied Chemical, Diamond Shamrock, Olin Chemical, and Lebanon Chemical. Defendant Olin comments: "We consider this lawsuit has no merit, and we will contest it." Domestic sales by U.S. ethical drug makers will total $4 billion in 1969, according to a survey conducted by the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association. This figure, based on sales of drugs for human consumption, is 9% higher than last year's sales of $3.65 billion. PMA says its survey indicates an "intensification" of competition within the pharmaceutical industry, with at least 35 companies reporting annual sales of more than $30 million. In 1967, PMA says, only 30 firms were in this category. The largest company accounts for only 7 % of the total vc\c rket. OCT. 27, 1969 C&EN
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