Among the important factors in Shell Chemical's decision to make polystyrene were its extensive background in polymers and its raw material position. Two other Shell thermoplastics followed quickly—polypropylene and polyethylene.
BULLETIN: On May 3,1960, a remarkable thermoplastics decision was made by Shell Chemical Read about this Shell decision. And how you can start benefiting today from a major new source of polystyrene, polypropylene and polyethylene that resulted from it. N MAY 3, 1960, Shell Chemical, a company long basic in styrene monomer and SBR rubber, decided to combine the two in full commercial production of Shell high impact polystyrene. W h y was this remarkable?
O
A revealing fact on polystyrene T h e condition of the polystyrene market was not attractive. There was oversupply from some of America's finest companies. T h e field was mature and Shell was starting late. One revealing fact offset this situation. Shell, with its excellent hackground in 'polymer chemistry—as exemplified hy Shell Isoprene Rubber, the industry's first commercially produced synthetic/natural rubber—could make positive contributions to the thermoplastics field in the form of new products. But Shell w o u l d be severely handicapped without a thorough understanding of how the thermoplastics market works and what it wants.
Result? Shell's decision to go full speed ahead with high quality general purpose, medium and high impact Shell polystyrenes, plus a rapidly expanding technical sales force.
80 million pounds of polypropylene Two other thermoplastic developments followed quickly. One, Shell's announcement in October, 1960, for an 80 million pounds a year polypropylene plant with customer service and research facilities to be built near Woodbury, N . J . Two, an arrangement by which Shell will resell limited quantities of polypropylene until this plant comes on stream.
to supply the industrv with the highest quality custom-made polyethylenes. H o w to start benefiting Thus, within 8 months, Shell became an important factor in three plastics: Shell polystyrene, Shell polypropylene and Shell polyethylene. The next 8 months should be even more important. Shell will be going full speed ahead searching for new polymers you want. Now is the time to let Shells technical representative know your needs. Tell him about them on his next visit or write Shell Chemical directly at : 42-76 Main St., Flushing 55, N . Y . FLushing 3-4200; 20575 Center Ridge Rd., Cleveland 16, O. EDison 3-1400; 6054 West Touhy Ave., Chicago 48, 111. SPring 4-6711; or 10642 Downey Ave., Downey, Calif. SPruce 3-0601. A Bulletin from
Custom-made polyethylene And this, in turn, led to a third important thermoplastic. In order to round out a complete line of thermoplastics, Shell Chemical, in January, 1961, made arrangements
Shell Chemical Company Plastics and Resins Division
