British Training Methods
INTERNATIONAL OEEC Surveys Chemical Industry Chemical industries in Europe show r a p i d rise in production over other industries JL RODUCTION in the European chemical
industry is definitely on the upgrade, according to the 1955 report of t h e Organisation for European Economic Cooperation. T h e report is part of a study called "Trends in Economic Sec tors" and begins by defining what it means by "the chemical industry." Roughly, it covers manufacturers of chemicals, organic and inorganic; crude chemicals from coal, petroleum, and natural gas, dyeing, tanning, and color ing materials; medicinal and pharma ceutical products; essential oils, soap, and detergents; synthetic fertilizers, ex plosives, synthetic plastic materials, starches, insecticides, and photographic supplies. T h e accompanying charts illustrate the trend taking place in 1954 and early 1955. T h e report says, in summation, that 1954 was a good year for t h e chemical industry in OEEC member countries. Production rose o n an aver age by 1 5 % over 1953, whereas total
Employment of Chemical Manpower In OEEC Countries, 1954
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Changes i n Production in 1 9 5 4 Industrial Production and Chemical Production Compared 1953.100
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industrial production showed only a 9% increase. Chemical products are also playing a greater part in member coun tries' foreign trade. Statistics from the chemical industry in the U. S. were drawn into die report to afford a pertinent comparison; how ever, the O E E C committee emphasizes that there are significant differences between t h e European a n d U. S. in dustries. In Europe the industry has been developed on the basis of chem icals from coal; in the U. S. expansion has been based largely on petroleum chemicals. The latter lends itself more readily to automatic processes a n d re quires heavy capital investment and little manpower. In Europe manpower has been more readily available than capital. It can b e seen that, according to labor force employed, the chemical in dustry is concentrated in Germany, U. K., France, and Italy. T h e O E E C committee reports that several coun tries are having difficulty in recruiting skilled labor; to remedy this, apprentice ship schemes have been developed and technical schools established. Recruit ment of chemists a n d chemical engi neers is said to be even more difficult, and the problem is being studied in every country.
1956
A National Scheme of Training for Qualified Chemical Operators has been set u p under t h e direction of the Chem ical and Allied Industry Joint Indus trial Council in England. A committee under the council will a c t in a liaison capacity with local education authorities and will cooperate with employers t o provide practical experience for in tended operators. This represents a new category for those previously considered "unskilled" workers. T h e general intention is that the period of ti'aining will consist of a five-year apprenticeship, normally b e ginning at 16 years of age. The course is not academic a t any stage and is d e signed t o emphasize the practical aspects of the subject. A major objec tive of t h e course is, however, the com munication of ideas—it is not enough that the student should know the " h o w and why"—he should be able to speak and write on t h e practical aspects of his work. A course which takes a further step includes the adult workers, giving them a chance to cover t h e elementary academic knowledge required for full appreciation of t h e plant being operated. Candidates for t h e course must b e nominated by their employers and must have served not less than five years in the chemical industry.
Italian Lanolin Company Croda, Ltd., Yorkshire, England, h a s set up in conjunction with Gaetano Marzotto e Figli, a company in Italy known as Croda Italiana S. r. 1. T h e new company will manufacture a n d market lanolin produced from wool grease. Croda Italiana has a plant nearing completion in Mortar a adjacent to the largest of the Marzotto wool washing units. This plant is one of the most modern lanolin plants in t h e world a n d will b e the first t o operate in southern E u r o p e . Eventually, Croda Italiana will manufacture t h e full range of Croda products, including lanolin products, general chemicals, rust preventives, a n d paints. Directors of Croda Italiana are: L . A. Escobar a n d D . DalTara, represent ing G. Marzotto e Figli, and F . A. S. Wood and E . S. Lower, representing Croda, L t d . Chief chemist is G . Battistini. Croda has specialized for 30 years in manufacture and distribution of lanolin and wool grease products. It is the world's largest organization in these fields. G. Marzotto & Figli is t h e leading wool textile concern in Italy,
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Plastic-Bodied Vans in England Plastic-bodied deliv- Γ ^ 2 ery vans are being tried out by T h o m a s | Hedley & Co., Ltd., manufacturers of soaps, detergents, and cooking fats. The translucent plas tic used for the roof lets daylight in. Another advantage claimed, which would be of interest to grocers or other deliverers of perish able items, is that the plastic is an effective insulating material, thus able t o keep the van's in terior reasonably | cool. Also, plastic is less resonant t h a n metal a n d is imper vious to d a m p . F r a c tures or punctures can b e repaired b y working fresh plastic into the damaged area. Because of its lightness it is possible to b u i l d roomier vans.
Both companies are associated Croda, Inc.,, of N e w York.
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gun h a v e continued normally in spite of multiple and r e p e a t e d dosage.
• Iran government has signed a con tract w i t h t h e Development and Re sources Corp. of N e w York for mana gerial services in extensive develop ment of water, land, a n d oil and gas resources of the Khuzistan region i n southwest Iran. T h e American com pany, formed by L a z a r d Frères & Co., investment banking house, and two former TVA chairmen, D a v i d E . Lilienthal a n d Gordon R. C l a p p , will arrange a n d supervise selective engineering, agricultural, mineral, and industrial investigations and assist in planning and execution of river, irrigation, power, a n d industrial projects. • Japan's Atomic Energy Research Institute, sponsored b y t h e Japanese gove r n m e n t and industry, will have t h e first nuclear reactor for the Far East. I t will b e built b y Atomics International a n d will b e located near Tokyo. T h e reactor will b e used for studies in botany, biology, agriculture, materials research, production of radioisotopes, a n d for training of students, i n addition to general research in t h e nuclear field. • Phthalic anhydride will b e produced a t National Chemical Products in Germiston, Transvaal. It is reported that consumers are assured of a high quality p r o d u c t at a steady a n d competitive price—which is a c h a n g e from price variations it has b e e n subject to. It
Family-Piannsng Drug Family-planning drug has been tested at Calcutta Bacteriological Institute and found highly effective in prevention of pregnancy. Chief ingredient of the compound was found in t h e seeds of a field pea, Pisum sativum linn. S. N. Sanyal of t h e institute extracted an oil from the seeds, which was given to w o m e n in the form of muscular injec tions once a month, a n d a p p e a r e d to prevent pregnancy. T h e oil was next divided into live compounds, of which t h e most effective was a metazylohydroquinone. In its latest form it is given in a capsule twice a m o n t h to prevent pregnancy. Tests on h u m a n subjects, mainly from low income groups, were conducted by S. Ghosh at Baldeodas Maternity Hospi tal in Calcutta. Of 127 patients co operating, pregnancy rate was reduced b y 7 3 % . Sanyal has expressed t h e view t h a t in effect t h e compound interferes with t h e working of progesterone, a h o r m o n e required to p r e p a r e the inner surface of the uterus for nourishment of a n embryo. Use of t h e c o m p o u n d does not cause abortion, and pregnancies already be 2036
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TV Camera for British Atomic Energy Authority A special camera which can b e used inside an atomic reactor has been designed b y Pye, Ltd., in E n g l a n d . I t is based on normal industrial television e q u i p m e n t but conforms to certain rigid specifications and is m a d e of special materials. It carries its own source of illumination. A system of mirrors enables sideways viewing. As the equipment is to b e used while the atomic pile is dangerous, the camera can b e remotely controlled. T h e entire a p p a r a t u s is mounted on a trolley to b e ready for instant use.
You'll make money on chemicals this year ! Regardless of the type o f business you're in—if you're successful, chemicals will contribute something t o your profits. Perhaps your chemical profits will be in the form of processes that cut costs or make your products better; perhaps they will be in components— like plastics, for instance—that will make* your products more saleable; perhaps they will be in a form which brings something entirely new t o your business. But, in one way or another, chemicals will mean profits for you—for only the chemical industry supplies all other industries.
Chances are you'll make more and more profits as the result of chemical progress in the years ahead. New chemical plant construction for 1956 and 1957 alone is estimated at $1.6 billion. Chemical sales which hit $21 billion in 1955 are expected to increase another 5096 within the next ten years. And every other industry will profit by this progress! In marking the observance of the third annual Chemical Progress Week, Columbia-Southern reminds you of the opportunities which the chemical industry will be bringing your way.
COLUMBIA-SOUTHERN CHEMICAL CORPORATION SUBSIDIARY OF PITTSBURGH PLATE GLASS COMPANY ONE GATEWAY CENTER · PITTSBURGH 2 2 . · PENKSTLVAMIA
IN CANADA : Standard Chemical Limited and its Commercial Chemicals Division
CHLORINE, ALKALIES A N D RELATED CHEMICALS
• OFFICES IN PRINCIPAL CITIES
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will b e manufactured at the r a t e of about 60 to 80 tons a month, which is sufficient to meet present requirements. As n e w supplies of naphthalene become available, capacity will be increased and an export market developed.
in the area. Most of the bentonite used in oil drilling operations in Saskatchewan comes from the U. S.
• Reserpine manufactured and sold by S. B. Penick & Co. has been licensed under Ciba patents in all countries w h e r e such patents have been issued or are pending.
> Du Pont (Canada) will build a plant at Maitland, Ont., for the manufacture of Orion. The plant, to cost over $ 8 million, will have a capacity sufficient to meet all foreseeable Canadian r e quirements and will go up near t h e company's nylon intermediates plant. It is expected to be in operation b y mid-1957.
> Bentonite find near Prince Albert, Sask., has started claim staking activity
• W a l l board f r o m w h e a t straw w i l l b e p r o d u c e d at a p l a n t i n Saskatoon,
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N o shaft leokâse on this pump with Syntron se
