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

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.

GERMANY

Production.

In recent years Germany’s production of synthetic resins has increased rapidly, each succeeding year registering the attainment of a new record. In 1933 production totaled 17,500,000 pounds and by 1935 had increased to 55,000,000 pounds. A further expansion of about 30 percent to 70,000,000 pounds in 1936 and present production trends indicate a gain of about 40 percent more in 1937, to an estimated total of 100,000,000 pounds.

Although tar-acid resins comprise the bulk of the German output, considerable gains are shown for other types, notably injection molding resins of the polystyrene and vinyl types. The development of completely automatic injection molding machinery has given an impetus to these types. While technical progress, including improvement of molding equipment, has contributed to the expanded production, the use of synthetic resins in Germany has had a strong stimulus because they are made almost wholly of domestic materials. Under the “Four-Year Plan” for the greatest possible national economic independence, synthetic resins are replacing imported materials, such as the heavier nonferrous metals, iron, hardwoods, cork, and natural gums and resins in many uses. This displacement of materials has also affected such domestic products as glass and porcelain, which caused the Government to intervene and impose restrictions upon the use of resins for purposes adequately served by other materials of German origin.

Germany’s expanding production of synthetic resin has also been aided by a sharp increase in exports, which have increased well over 100 percent since 1932.

Tar-acid resins.—German output of tar-acid resins has been estimated at 35 million pounds in 1934, at 49 million pounds in 1935, and at 63 million pounds in 1936. Such resins comprise the bulk of the German production of molding resins.

There are at least seven producers of tar-acid resins in Germany and nine producers of molding powders and pellets. Tar-acid resins for surface coatings are produced by a number of these concerns. Among the important makers in Germany are The Bakelite Gesellschaft (organized in 1910 to operate under the Baekeland patents); the explosives and munitions firm of Dynamit A.G.; Dr. Kurt Albert G.m.b.H.; the I.G. Farbenindustrie; Beckacite Kunstharzfabrik G.m.b.H.; and Rohm & Haas A.G. The Beckacite firm has associates in the United States and in the United Kingdom, and Rohm & Haas, an associate in the United States.

Alkyd resins.—The manufacture of alkyd resins has developed in Germany in the past few years. Demand for these resins has been given a marked impetus by the development of a new standardized substitute for linseed-oil varnish known as El Varnish, the use of which is required by the Control Board for Industrial Fats for certain interior and exterior painting.

There are five makers of resins for paints, varnishes, and lacquers. The output of alkyd resins has increased sharply since 1934, probably reaching 10 million pounds in 1936.