Synthetic resins and their raw materials / A survey of the types and uses of synthetic resins, the organization of the industry, and the trade in resins and raw materials, with particular references to factors essential to tariff consideration. Under the general provisions of section 332, title III, part II, Tariff act of 1930.

by United States Tariff Commission

15. SYNTHETIC RESINS IN OTHER COUNTRIES

Large-scale production of synthetic resins is confined principally to the United States, Germany, and Great Britain. There is small production in many other countries, of which the most important are France, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Canada, and Japan.

In 1934 the world output was estimated at 135 million pounds, of which the United States produced about 44 percent, Germany 26 percent, and Great Britain 24 percent. In 1937 world output was estimated at 360 million pounds, the United States’ share of the total being almost 50 percent, followed by 27 percent for Germany, 20 percent for Great Britain, and the remaining 3 percent scattered.

European estimates indicate that about 40 percent of the output goes into surface coatings and that 60 percent of the surface-coating resins are tar-acid and 40 percent alkyds. The Tariff Commission found that in 1937 50 percent of the United States production of all synthetic resins went into surface coatings, 27 percent into molded articles, and the remaining 23 percent into laminating and miscellaneous uses. Approximately three-fourths of the surface-coating resins were alkyds and one-fourth tar-acid resins.