MARKETS Plastics Show Mixed Pattern Eight-month p r o d u c t i o n d a t a show ό°/ο rise plastics, resins h e a d f o r 4 . 3 6 - b i I I i o n - p o u n d y e a r JL HREE PLASTICS HOG the limelight in
a varied 1957 market picture—vinyls, polyethylene, and polyester resins. Press play has focused attention on polyethylene, "shining star" of t h e in dustry. But the other two also make news. Over-all, plastics a n d resin m a t e rials production in 1957's first eight months exceeded 2.7 billion pounds, 6 % higher t h a n the same period in 1956. This points to a total 1957 pro duction of some 4.36 billion pounds, comparing very well with the 4.3 billion figure predicted earlier (C&EN, Sept. 2, page 8 2 ) . T o date, vinyls not only continue in first place b u t show one of the larger growth rates, almost 1 2 % over last year. Vinyl a n d vinyl copolymer resins totaled 7 6 0 million pounds in 1956; they're h e a d e d for the 850-million-mark this year. Actually, with another growth y e a r like 1957, they conceiv
as
ably could give polyethylene a close race to reach the billion-pound level. Polyethylene has long been predicted as the first billion-pound plastic, sched uled to hit that production level in 1960. This year it moved u p into second place. Polyethylene capacity could exceed the billion-pound mark in 1958 (C&EN, April 8, page 1 6 ) . Polyethylene's eight-month 1957 pro duction (437 million pounds) is u p almost 2 3 % over 1956, hinting t h a t t h e full year's output will b e about 690 million pounds. This is slightly u p from C&EN's April estimate of 650 million pounds for 1957. T h e vast majority, more t h a n 600 million pounds of this total, will b e conventional type. However, output of Ziegler- and Phillips-type material will soar in 1958 as plants now under construction go on stream a n d those already operating step u p production. • Polyester Resins Zoom.
One
of
the "smaller" i t e m s gets part of the spotlight. Polyester resins show the largest relative growth—up more than 3 0 % t o date. This year they move into the over-100-million-pound class for the first time. But not all plastics news is good. Several trends p o i n t down for the year. Foremost on this list are phenolic and other tar-acid resins which were down almost 10% at midyear. Surges in July and August output helped bring the lag down somewhat. Actually, losses in phenolic molding materials p u s h e d the group down; this aspect of t h e phenolic resin market was off more than 2 2 % in 1957's first half. Each group compilation really mis leads. While cellulose plastics are u p slightly, nitrocellulose sheets, rods, and tubes are down sharply in both pro duction and sales. Decreases in pro duction of styrene protective coating resins have held growth of styrene res ins a s a group b e l o w average this year. Without taking a n y credit away from polyethylene's skyward growth, styrene's loss in t h e coatings field is part of t h e reason polyethylene will move into number t w o position, taking the rating away from the styrene group. Styrene molding materials are also d o w n from 1956. Tariff Commission reports don't b r e a k it down, b u t one section of coat ing resins j u m p e d up strongly—more
Plastics and Resins Production Up 6% Thus Far in 1957 Eight-Month 1 9 5 7 Production
Cellulose plastics Phenolic and other tar acid resins Urea and melamine resins Styrene resins Vinyl and vinyl copolymer resins Alkyd resins Rosin modifications Coumarone-indene and petroleum 1 polymer resins Polyester resins Polyethylene resins Other synthetic plastics and resins
9 5 Million pounds
C&EN
NOV.
4.
1957
Up 1.8%
Points t o a 1 9 5 7 T o t a l Around . . .
1 5 0 Million pounds
319
Down 7 . 3 %
510
207 421
Down 1.8% Down 0 . 2 %
340 680
543 253 84
Up 11.7% Up 2 . 2 % Down 5 . 1 %
850 440 120
168 63 437
Up 2 . 2 % Up 3 0 . 4 % Up 2 2 . 8 %
260 690
128
Up 11.6%
210
I Partly estimated, and compiled from latest U. S. Tariff Commission data.
34
Compared with 1 9 5 6
no
tiian 2 8 % over last year's first eight months. It includes epichlorohydrin, acrylic, and silicone coating resins. Vinyl coatings a n d adhesives are also u p sharply in sales.
Pentcteryfhritol in Pellets This week Celanese brings out an old material in what it says is a n e w and useful form—pelletized pentaerythritol, technical grade. Primary market is the paint industry. Now available in development quantities only, the new PE is scheduled for commercial production before the end of the year. According to Celanese, it shortens the cooking cycle, eliminates dust losses, and makes for easier handling in alkyd resin manufacture. Price is the same as crystalline—32 cents per p o u n d in truckloads.
W E E K ' S PRICE CHANGES Oct. 28, 1957 Advances CURRENT
PREVIOUS
Cottonseed oil. Valley, lb. S 0.12V< S 0.12 Va 125.00 122.00 Fish scrap, ton Gluconates, lb. Ammonium, 200-lb. 0.45 0.43 drum 0.4IÎ 0.44 100-lb. drum Calcium, 100- or 150-lb. 0.6» 0.67 drum 3.20 3.15 Copper, 200-lb. drum Ferrous, 100- or 200-lb. 0.96 0.94 drum & 0.93 0.91 400-lb. lots 0.91 0.89 2000-lb. lots 1.39 Maernesium, 100-lb. .'.rum 1.42 1.37 1.34 2000-lb. lots Manganous, 100-lb. 1.84 1.80 drum 1.67 1.62 Potassium, 100-lb. drum Sodium, ref. 250-lb. 0.84 0.80 drum Sodium, tech. 100-lb. bac 0.37V< 0.35 Gluconic acid, tech. 5 0 % , lb.
Tankcars Carlots Sintrle575-lb. drum Glucono-ô-lactone, lb. 250-lb. drums 100-lb. drums Gum rosin, f.a.s., cwt. Water white Katy IMethylparathion, cits., lb. Parathion, cits., lb.
0.17 0.19V2 0.20V2
0.14 Ά 0.1572 0.16
0.48 0.50
0.45 0.47
8.07 7.75 1.40 1.36
8.06 7.60 1.39 1.34
Declines Aubépine liquid, lb. S 1.85 0.21 Copper scrap, No. 1, l b . Copra, coast, ton IGO.OO Dried blood, per unit 5.00 7.10 Menthol, Japanese, l b . 229.50 Mercury, flask 76 lbs. Molasses, blackstrap, N.O., 0.1372 gal. Soybean meal, Decatur, ton
Soybean oil. Decatur, l b . Tin derivatives, lb. Stannous chloride, anhyd. Sodium stannate Potassium stannate Tin metal, lb.
45.00 0.113/8 0.94 0.589 0.737 0.91 V*
•S 2.00 0.21 7< 162.50 5.25 7.25 232.00
careers in peaceful applications of atomic energy Engineering Analysis on
ADVANCED REACTOR SYSTEMS. Responsible positions
REACTOR SHI ELDING-ANALYSIS Qualifications: BS, MS Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or Math, (with good Physics background). 1-5 years' experience. Duties: Analyze neutron and gamma-ray distribution, heat generation, shielding of cores and external systems; economic, material, and configuration aspects. Also advanced shielding studies, use of computer techniques.
STRESS-ANALYSIS Qualifications: BS, MS, PhD (Engineering). Two to four years1 stress analysis background. Duties: Functions of position to include performing and directing structural and thermal stress, vibration, and impact analyses of advanced nuclear reactor systems.
REACTOR CORE -ANALYSIS Qualifications: BS, MS in EE, ChE, Physics or Nuclear Engineering (special nuclear training desirable). 1-3 yrs!exp. Duties: Perform nuclear analysis to determine critical mass, neutron flux distribution, control rod effectiveness, temperature coefficients of reactivity, reactor dynamics, and full cycle reactivity changes.
Write: Answer will be prompt and confidential.
ATOMICS INTERNATIONAL A D I V I S I O N O F N O R T H A M E R I C A N AVIATION, I N C .
Mr. G. W. Newton, Personnel Office, Dept. CN-1 1 21600 Vanowen Street, Canoga Park, California (In the Suburban San Fernando Valley, near Los Angeles)
0.15 46.50 0.1 IVe 0.946 0.593 0.741 0,92
NOV. 4, 1957 C&EN
35
