Earl B. Hathaway Grounds for optimism
size tires for their new models, a fact which will probably improve dollar sales for tire makers. (The fact that truck, bus, and replacement passenger auto tires, most of which use nylon cord, are outstripping original equipment sales means a decreasing share of the tire-cord market for rayon.) Yet to be determined is the impact of the premium-priced radial tire, now being test marketed by four major U.S. tire makers and being offered as options on some Ford Motor cars. The U.S. rubber industry does not yet have any sizable capacity for radiais. In fact, Ford has disclosed that it is adding Michelin Tire Co. of France to its list of radial tire suppliers.
Textile glass to double by 7 0 The U.S. market for textile glass fiber in 1970 will be more than double that in 1965, says William W. Boeschenstein, marketing vice president for Owens-Corning Fiberglas. U.S. mill consumption of textile glass fibers in 1965 totaled 268.5 million pounds and should reach 330 million this year. Mr. Boeschenstein predicts that consumption will reach 610 million pounds by 1970. Speaking before the textile section of the New York Board of Trade, Mr. Boeschenstein pointed to rubber reinforcements, commercial hard-use fabrics, and decorative fabrics as uses for textile glass fiber that could develop into major-volume markets within the next five years. Mr. Boeschenstein says that textile glass has an excellent chance of capturing a major share of the tire-cord market because its strength as a reinforcing material prolongs tire life. This is now being demonstrated, he says, in the first commercial glass-fiber-
reinforced tire, which Armstrong Rubber introduced earlier this year. Tire cord, at more than 400 million pounds a year, is the biggest single industrial user of all textile fibers. Mr. Boeschenstein says also that textile glass fiber is a good candidate for use in radial-ply tires because it gives tires higher resistance to wear and a more comfortable ride than some other fibers. Radial-ply tires are widely used in Europe and are now beginning to enter the U.S. tire market. Although textile glass has been a major factor in drapery fabrics for many years, it is still only on the threshold of the decorative fabric market, Mr. Boeschenstein believes. Recent developments in fiber quality, styling, and finishing may open broad new market possibilities. "Fiberglas Beta [Owens-Corning yarn made from fine-diameter filaments] gives glass-fiber fabrics the long-desired softness, pliability, and flexibility needed for other decorative fabric applications, such as bedspreads, tablecloths, slip covers, and upholstery," the OwensCorning Fiberglas v.p. adds. Another active area of development, according to Mr. Boeschenstein, is the use of Fiberglas Beta in blends and combinations with other man-made fibers. He says that such combinations could potentially give yarns with any desirable mix of strength, elongation, and recovery properties. A fabric combining Fiberglas Beta and modacrylic fiber, for instance, may be a good candidate for the 34 million square-yard-per-year canvas goods market, he says. The growth of textile glass fabrics has been increasing at a higher rate than man-made fiber fabrics as a whole, Mr. Boeschenstein points out. Production of man-mades increased 70% since 1960-from 2.3 billion to 3.9 billion linear yards in 1965. This compares with a 92% increase for textile glass fabrics—from 146 million linear yards in 1960 to 280.4 million linear yards in 1965.
equate supplies, and low selling prices caused TGS to halt mining in Mexico in 1960. TGS will be a minority stockholder in the new company with a 34% interest. As a result of the government being the majority stockholder, the new company will thus be "eligible" to seek rights to explore for sulfur, according to the announcement of plans for the new company. Such an ownership arrangement again confirms efforts by the Mexican government to foster control by Mexicans of the companies mining sulfur there. Limited and high-cost private capital is hindering moves of sulfur producers to shift majority ownership to Mexicans. The situation is similar for other companies owned by foreigners. As a result, the government is increasing its efforts to become a partner. Pan American Sulphur also is working to sell control of its principal operating subsidiary, Azufrera Panamericana, to Mexicans and the Mexican government. Under terms of the arrangement proposed early this month and later delayed (C&EN, Oct. 24, page 2 7 ) , the government would hold 4 3 % of Azufrera Panamericana, Mexican investors would hold 2 3 % , and PASCO 34%. PASCO would get cash and cash equivalents amounting to about $62 million after taxes. However, the cash would be only the working capital of Azufrera Panamericana—$12.3 million as of June 30, 1966. (The terms actually call for PASCO to get all the accumulated retained earnings of Azufrera Panamericana, not to exceed the net working capital. ) The other cash equivalents would be 7.25% obligations of Nacional Financiera, S.A., totaling $49.5 million. These would mature in five equal installments beginning in April 1968. In addition, PASCO will keep $6
TGS plans return to Mexico Hardly a day goes by without a new development relating to mining sulfur in Mexico (C&EN, Oct. 24, page 2 8 ) , with the latest move being Texas Gulf Sulphurs plans to form a company with the Mexican government to explore for sulfur in that country. TGS formerly mined sulfur in Mexico, working a concession in the Isthmus of Tehauntepec in Veracruz through a subsidiary, Compania Exploradora del Istmo. The sulfur was stockpiled near the mine site. High costs (compared to other mines), ad-
PASCO's Webb Additional permits OCT. 31, 1966 C&EN
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