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

United States production.

Table [47] shows the production and sales of phthalic anhydride from 1917 through 1937.

Table 47.—Phthalic anhydride: United States production and sales, 1917-37

Year	Production	Sales		Unit value
		Quantity	Value
	Pounds	Pounds
1917	138,857	138,857	$587,240	$4.23
1918	227,414	227,414	648,650	2.85
1919	290,677	290,677	290,037	.99
1920	796,210	796,210	362,431	.46
1921	202,471	202,471	79,162	.39
1922	1,629,182	1,317,625	461,944	.35
1923	2,343,802	2,091,100	596,508	.29
1924	2,787,308	2,277,073	556,265	.24
1925	3,900,332	3,560,429	701,840	.20
1926	4,379,108	3,446,175	604,949	.18
1927	4,549,820	4,064,476	686,946	.17
1928	6,030,854	5,445,432	888,156	.16
1929	9,168,946	7,450,037	1,147,953	.15
1930	6,693,001	5,614,012	724,909	.13
1931	(1)
1932	6,259,000	5,695,000	663,000	.12
1933	14,075,844	11,593,716	1,271,887	.11
1934	20,680,379	13,511,253	1,575,787	.12
1935	23,421,558	17,931,662	2,105,134	.12
1936	31,244,378	22,905,873	2,824,471	.12
1937	45,210,784	17,565,905	2,492,473	.14

¹ Not available.

Source: Compiled from annual reports of the Tariff Commission on dyes and other synthetic organic chemicals in the United States.

There are six domestic makers of phthalic anhydride, with producing units at Bridgeville, Pa., Buffalo, N. Y., Philadelphia, Pa., Deepwater Point, N. J., Saint Louis, Mo., and Detroit, Mich. Five of these firms have been producing in commercial quantities continuously for a number of years and it is therefore believed that these companies may continue to produce without the payment of royalties. New producers using this process, however, might be at a disadvantage unless licensed to operate without the payment of royalties by the owner of the patent.

The production of phthalic anhydride has increased remarkably since the discovery of the vapor phase catalytic process of manufacture. Until 1922 the only large outlet was the coal-tar dye industry. The development of new uses for phthalic esters, principally dibutyl phthalate, increased the demand during the period 1922-28. With the drop in price of phthalic anhydride, resins made from it and glycerin became of commercial interest and about 1929 their production began to increase sharply. Most of the increased output since that year is accounted for by its use in alkyd resins. As previously stated, surface coatings made from these resins are now applied to practically all “indoor” surfaces, both wood and metal, and to “outdoor” use on metal. Largely as a result of the growing popularity of surface coatings of the alkyd type the domestic production of phthalic anhydride exceeded 45 million pounds in 1937 and may reach 50 million pounds in 1938. This estimate is based on the present trend of consumption of alkyd resins and current use therein of phthalic anhydride. Should other polybasic acids be used in greater proportion the estimate would have to be revised. Considerable research work is being done on certain polybasic acids, with very promising results in some instances. Maleic anhydride is being used commercially, as are adipic acid, malic acid, and succinic acid. Other possibilities include such acids as citric, tartaric, sebacic, fumaric, and oxalic.

Production in other countries.

Phthalic anhydride is manufactured in Germany, England, France, Italy, and Japan, but no statistics of foreign production or of international trade are available. The output in Germany is known to be increasing rapidly and is believed to be the principal reason for the German embargo on exports of naphthalene.

In England there are two makers: Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd., and Monsanto Chemicals, Ltd. The latter is a branch of the American firm of the same name.

In Italy, production was started in 1928 by the A. C. N. A. at Cengio. Capacity is given as 600,000 pounds annually, and the process is essentially the same as in this country.

Japanese production is estimated at 6 million pounds a year. Nihon Seuryo’s plant is the principal one, and the Nishijima mill, at Osaka, the next in importance.

United States foreign trade.

Imports of phthalic anhydride are dutiable under paragraph 27 at 7 cents per pound and 40 percent ad valorem based on American selling price. There were practically no imports since the World War until 1937, when 223,431 pounds were imported from England to relieve a temporary shortage.

Exports, if any, are not shown separately in official statistics.