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

Production in the United States.

Commercial production of urea resins in the United States was reported for the first time in 1929. Early in that year the American Cyanamid Co. concluded an arrangement with the British Cyanides Co. of England for the American rights to manufacture and sell in the United States a resin made from urea, thiourea, and formaldehyde and marketed as Beetle molding powder. A manufacturing unit was built at Bound Brook, N. J., and in 1930 the output was substantial.

In 1931 another producer, the Toledo Synthetic Products Co., began manufacture of urea resins. Several years prior to that time the Toledo Scale Co. started a search for a material light in weight to replace the heavy porcelain-on-steel used in cases for scales. The search led to the urea resins and to commercial production by their subsidiary. In 1935 the Toledo Synthetic Products Company reached an agreement with the Imperial Chemical Industries of England for the interchange of technical and commercial information and of free patent licenses on urea molding and laminating resins. The name of the domestic firm was later changed to the Plaskon Co.

In 1932 the Unyte Corporation started commercial production of urea resins at Grasselli, N. J. This firm was affiliated with the American I. G. Corporation. Late in 1936 the Plaskon Co. took over the Unyte Corporation.

The output of urea resins increased markedly in 1936 and 1937. Statistics for those years cannot be published without disclosing operations of individual firms. It may be stated, however, that the increase in both years over the previous year was considerably greater than for any earlier period. Most of the production was used in molded articles although appreciable quantities were consumed in laminated articles, in surface coatings, in the impregnation of fabric, and in adhesives.

There were 10 domestic makers of these resins in 1937.

Domestic production and sales of urea resins are shown in table [8].

Table 8.—Urea resins: United States production and sales, 1933-37

Year	Production	Sales
		Quantity	Value	Unit value
	Pounds	Pounds
1933	3,234,356	2,977,791	$1,422,671	$0.48
1934	3,470,916	3,115,608	1,290,802	.41
1935	4,202,536	4,005,083	1,828,565	.46
1936-37	(1)	(1)	(1)

¹ Not publishable; figures would reveal operations of individual firms.

Source: Dyes and Other Synthetic Organic Chemicals in the United States, U. S. Tariff Commission.