W h y you can't buy all the Caustic Soda, Soda Ash, Sodium Bicarbonate and Chlorine you w a n t . . . . and w h a t to expect for 1947 and 1948. M u c h has been written about the need for m o r e Caustic Soda, Soda A s h , Sodium Bicarbonate and— Liquid Chlorine but, to date, little has b e e n d o n e to explain the reasons for the s h o r t a g e o f these p r o d u c t s . In the f o l l o w i n g Q u e s t i o n - A n s w e r c o l u m n s , M a t h i e s o n endeavors to tell American industrialists just w h y they can't get all they w a n t of these vital c h e m i c a l s . . . and what the 1 9 4 7 - 1 9 4 8 o u t l o o k i s for alkali and chlorine production.
Q-
W'bv are ca/nlic sot/a. soda ash, sodium bicarbonate and chlorine now if/ short supply u ben there u a> ait ample supply hefore the war?
A . Expansion of the alkali-chlorine industry during the war was not permitted (except to produce an insignificant tonnage) because of the critical shortage of materials that would have been needed for this construction. However, during the same war period, alkali-consuming industries, such as aluminum, rayon, textiles, chemicals and glass food-containers, and chlorineconsuming industries, such as D D T , synthetic detergents and plastics, were allowed to expand their production or construct new facilities. These will continue as growing peace-time consumers. Q.
II «,/» there less alkali Jor consttntery
hi IV+ft than
A. During 1946 there was less tonnage available than in 1945 due to interruptions in production caused by coal and other strikes. If these interruptions do not recur, there should be some increase in alkali tonnage supply for 1 9 4 7 , but certainly not enough to meet the increased demand. Q
Hon much alktili and chlorine are heing
exported?
A. Practically no chlorine. Only a negligible fraction o f the pre-war tonnage of caustic soda, soda ash and sodium bicarbonate is n o w being shipped out o f this country.
68
Q.
Is there an) idle capacity ine industry?
in the alkali
at/d
chlor-
A. Only four small government-owned causticchlorine plants. T w o of these plants have finally been leased to private industry and will be placed in operation in early '47. This additional tonnage is only a "drop in the bucket" when measured in terms of the overall shortage. Q. Are alkali and chlorine producers expanding their facilities? A. Yes, several producers, including Mathieson, are expanding facilities for one or more products. Some of this expansion was started immediately following VJ Day. But the special heavy equipment necessary (boilers, kilns and turbines) is as high on the industry shortage list as are alkali and chlorine . . . result: expansion cannot possibly be completed until late '47 or early '48. THE M A T H I E S O N ALKALI W O R K S
(INC.)
60 East 42nd Street, New York 17, N. Y.
Mathieson CHEMICALS Caustic Soda • Soda Ash • Bicarbonate of Soda • Liquid Chlorine Chlorine Dioxide • A m m o n i a , Anhydrous & A q u a • HTH Products Fused A l k a l i Products • Synthetic Salt Cake * Dry Ice • Carbonic Gas Sodium Chlorite Products • Sodium Methylate
CHEMICAL
AND
ENGINEERING
NEWS
