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 acrylate resins in the United States was started in 1931 by Rohm and Haas, Philadelphia, Pa., under United States Patents Nos. 1,388,016 of August 16, 1921, and 1,829,208 of October 27, 1931.

Commercial production of methyl methacrylate resins was started in 1937 by E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. This development is under United States Patent No. 1,980,483, issued in 1934. The liquid monomer is produced at Belle, W. Va., and shipped to Arlington, N. J., where it is polymerized by heat to the solid resin.

The output of acrylate resins was hardly more than experimental in 1935 but increased somewhat in 1936 and very appreciably in 1937. Although statistics of production are not publishable, it can be stated that in 1937 the output approached that of other synthetic resins made in commercial quantities. The properties of these resins indicate very large commercial production in the near future. Prices of the several types are still high as compared with other resins but should eventually be somewhat lower than those of cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose plastics and slightly higher than those of cast phenolic resins.