Rayon performance better than expected
Phosphine Ligands
Organophosphorus Compounds TRIMETHYLOLPROPANE PHOSPHINE ESTER (l-Ethyl-4 phospha-3.5.8-tfioxabicyclo [2.22J octane)
DIPHOS (Ethylenebisdiphenylphosphine)
DIPHENYLp-TOLYLPHOSPHINE METHOXYDIPHENYL PHOSPHINE n-BUTOXYDIPHENYLPHOSPHINE DI-n-BUTOXYPHENYLPHOSPHINE are six phosphine ligands now offered by Arapahoe as a representative sample of our capability of producing, on demand, a large spectrum of organophosphorus compounds in commercial quantities. Phosphine ligands and ligand combinations produce a large variety of complex metal catalysts which have found commercial use. Phosphines and organophosphorus compounds are also used as flame retardants, plasticizers, fuel additives, cross-linking agents and in similar applications. Write for full information on Arapahoe phosphine production capabilities and samples, prices, and technical information on these six representative phosphines.
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cucmicms DIVISION OF SYNTEX CORPORATION
2855 WALNUT ST . BOULDER. COLORADO 80302 ACC9/4A
22 C&EN OCT. 27, 1969
Rayon is turning out to be a tougher competitor than many fiber industry experts would have guessed. In spite of the prevailing notion that rayon is losing many of its markets—particularly tire cord—to the noncellulosic fibers, 1969 is shaping up as a year of incremental sales gains for major rayon producers American Enka, Beaunit Fibers, FMC's American Viscose, and Midland-Ross* IRC Fibers. Total rayon shipments are expected to hold to last year's level, with staple shipments up and filament shipments down. This year's sales gains, however, will result from the 4 to 7% price increases that producers have made throughout the year. Shipments of rayon staple, tow, and filament will total about 1070 million pounds this year, based on the first eight month's shipments of 713 million pounds. This total of rayon shipments continues the relatively lackluster growth performance that has existed in recent years: 1074 million pounds in 1968, 937 million pounds in 1967, 1027 million pounds in 1966, and 1045 million pounds in 1965. Stagnation in growth has weighted down rayon's average annual growth rate to only 5.2% for 1960-68. This figure is in contrast to a 21% average annual growth rate in shipments of all noncellulosic fibers for the same period. American Viscose, which accounts for half the rayon industry's production, predicts a 3.5% average annual growth rate for the next 10 years. Based on this rate, annual shipments in 1979 would be 1.5 billion pounds. In terms of poundage gains, with this growth rate annual shipments would increase by 430 million pounds
throughout the 1970's, compared to an increase of 354 million pounds throughout the 1960's. One factor that promises continued growth for rayon staple is the market for nonwoven disposables. This market accounted for about 217 million pounds of textile fibers in 1967, according to American Viscose. Of this total, about 75% was rayon staple, with the remainder consisting of nylon, polyester, and polyolefin staple. Company officials expect this market alone to triple to 650 million pounds by 1972. Gearing up for growth in staple, American Viscose recently disclosed plans to increase its rayon staple capacity by 100 million pounds—half at its Fredericksburg, Va., cellophane plant and the other half at its existing rayon facility at Front Royal, Va. For high-tenacity rayon filament, most of which currently goes to tire cord, future growth is much less predictable. Although high-tenacity filament shipments are down 15% so far this year compared to the first eight months of 1968, high-tenacity rayon is gaining new attention in the market place. For example, Firestone recently introduced a rayon-belted, rayon-carcass tire which it is supplying to Ford Motor Co. as original equipment for some of its heavier cars. In the replacement tire market, according to American Viscose, the 25 tire companies which were selling 75 brands of rayon-supported tires a year ago have increased to about 40 companies selling 140 brands today. What kind of momentum tire makers gain with rayon constructions, however, still remains to be seen.
Rayon staple shipments are up slightly over last year, while filament shipments are down U.S. shipments, domestic and export (millions of pounds)
