The future possibilities are difficult to appraise. The automobile industry is constantly experimenting with new materials and methods, and its policy of bringing out models annually makes possible rapid adoption of new developments. Molded window frames have been tried, and such a use, or use for the complete instrument panel, would obviously consume synthetic resins in much larger volume. Even whole motor car bodies of laminated resin have been suggested.
13. THE UNITED STATES TARIFF AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SYNTHETIC RESINS
Synthetic resins enter into the foreign trade of the United States only to a small extent. This becomes apparent if a comparison is made between the United States production of these resins and our imports and exports of them. Table [13] gives the imports and production of synthetic resins in the United States for 1934 through 1937. Exports are so small that they are not separately reported.
Table 13.—Synthetic resins: United States production and imports, 1934-37
| [Pounds] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | 1935 | 1936 | 1937 | |
| Production in the United States1 | 56,059,489 | 95,133,384 | 132,912,821 | 162,104,713 |
| Imports into the United States | 2 19,795 | 2 21,120 | 3 626,608 | 3 673,880 |
1 Does not include coumarone and indene resins, sulfonamide resins.
2 Does not include imports of vinyl acetate resins which were not shown separately until 1936.
3 Includes vinyl acetate resins and all other types imported.
The small size of the international trade in synthetic resins is also emphasized if we compare the imports of all synthetic resins with the imports or exports of some of the important raw materials used in their manufacture. Table [14] makes such a comparison.