Document 2J8jB85pZR36gLZ3DnX0LeaJ6

TELEPHONE HUDSON 3-6196 Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc. (FOUNDED 1679) 1825 Connecticut Avenue, N. W. Washington 8, D. C. PLASTICS COMMITTEE MEETING The Chemists' Club, New York City- August 9, i960 PRESENT: Messrs, T. J. Klnsella, Allied Chemical Corporation Walter H, Salzenberg, E, I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. Martin Buck, Shell Chemical Company Earle S. Ebers, United States Rubber Company W. C. Goggin, The Dow Chemical Company K. J. Nelson, Enjay Chemical Company J. C. Searer, Hooker Chemical Corporation W. B. Humes (for R, K. Turner), Union Carbide Plastics CompanyDavid C. Williams, Eastman Chemical Products, Inc. F. H. Carman, M.C.A. Also: Robert W. Boggs, Chairman, SPI Public Relations Comm, William T. Cruse, Executive Vice President, SPI John W. Pool, Jr., Chairman, Oyster Harbors Arrange ments Committee James G. Stranch, Chairman, U, L. Advisory Committee Chairman KInsella welcomed special guests, Mr. John W. Pool, Jr., Hr. James G. Stranch, Mr. William T. Cruse and Mr. Robert W. Boggs. rational automobile show Messrs. Cruse and Boggs reported on plans under way for the De troit show October 15-23, i960 -- particularly participation by the Plastics industry. Since this had not yet been reported to the membera special memorandum to MCA member Executive Representatives severing this subject has been circulated, as per the attached Appendix A. gjgSRWRITERS' LABORATORIES t Industry members of the U/L Advisory Committee met with repre- .t";atives the National Electric Manufacturers Association on June 14 ^ connection with the rulings of the U/L on the September 1, 1961 ^ao.^ne requiring flame resisting materials in air conditioners. a regular meeting of the U/L Advisory Committee for the Projthe Laboratories' representative on June 29, and at the di- that Co^ittee, a letter had been addressed to Mr. G. H. Ijf't*. na6ing Engineer of the Casualty and Automotive Department of re9uesting reconsideration of their Bulletin 484. The Plastics Was a3vised of this by Mr. D. C. Williams in a special memo* of J^y 1, i960. CMA 078406 -2- Mr. Stranch then reported on interpretation received from Mr. Pope and the bulletin dated July 6 on Subject 484, which was supposed to have clarified the problem. (Copy of this bulletin is attached as Appendix B.) Since this clarification did not appear satisfactory, further contacts by phone were made with the U/L engineer handling the MCA project. His verbal report was substantially "............If the ignition sources are protected by a metal plate, slow-burning materials can be used anywhere in the air-conditioning unit. Further, the Ignition source might be protected by self-extinguishing plastics....*' The above and other details were reported to MCA members in Item 6 in General Bulletin No. 843 dated August 8, I960. In discussion, it was emphasized that a statement along these lines by the U/L in writing would be highly desirable to insure that their various divisions are using this interpretation In working with the appliance industry. However, it was pointed out that the test work on various materials is going forward and if it is found that the U/L is following this policy reported verbally for approval of designs U3ed after September 1, 1961, several indicated reluctance to approach the U/L at this time for another statement in writing. Accordingly, it was agreed that the Washington office would con tact the NEMA representatives who raised this question, Messrs. W. G. Spiegalhalter and R. H. Meyerhans, to see If there are any recent de velopments in the application of the Underwriters' policy pertaining to air conditioner approvals. HOUSEWARES FLAMMABILITY Mr. Cruse, as a matter of general Information, advised the Com mittee of recent contacts with authorities in the Twin Cities in con nection with polyethylene waste baskets. The administrators of hos pitals in that area were concerned with the hazards of these if in volved in accidental fires and Inability to extinguish the burning Fi-astic with water. Pictures of burning waste baskets were exhibited. Loma Plastics, Inc. and Federal Tool Corporation had asked for as sistance; material suppliers are Investigating use of flame-retardant trials. &ASTICS INSTITUTE *--a ^nutes the special meeting of the Plastics Committee on aTver'2? been forwarded to Plastics Group Executive Representatives. ; _ * bad subsequently inquired on the action being taken by various was general consensus that many were answering the 2uestlonnalre' m03t of them stating that further research as the institute program was not necessary; very few, if any, iljr-iwering the financial questionnaire. At this point Mr, Cruse fsrth h u coples of their Bulletin # 770 of August 8, i960, setting ` ac*gnound information on the subject and the position of the CMA 078407 OYSTER HARBORS CONFERENCE -3- The Chairman of the Arrangements Committee reported that steps were under way to obtain speakers to handle subjects -- substantially those recommended by this Committee. An official of the State De partment, Mr. Charles W. Adair, Jr., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Affairs, has been invited to discuss world trade, European trading blocs, and general economic conditions on the first day; for the second day, Mr. Otto Horn, Farbwerke Hoechst, A.G., Frankfort au Main, Germany, a consultant for one or more member companies, has been invited to discuss plastics in Europe, with particular emphasis on end uses rather than material production. It is expected Mr. Horn will be in the United States during September. SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE REPORT Time did not permit discussion of this fire safety report although the members would like to have further information on distribution of the report outside of the plastics industry. The point was made that it should be called to the attention of the Journal of Commerce, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times since these are important news aedia for this industry, the users of plastics, and Insurance under writers. BUILDING PROGRAM Discussion of Mr. Demarest's report Included in this agenda was not possible. Two actions of the Plastics in Building Committee trans Bitted under date of July 11 pertaining to (l) distribution of SwRI Report, and (2) the program to prepare two complimentary primers, as recommended in this report, were accepted by the Committee, jCSCSLLANEOUS Mr. Cruse commented briefly on the value of Commercial Standards developed by SPI in behalf of the industry and promulgated by the -oamodity Standards Division of the Department of Commerce, and on re recommendations of the "Kelly" Committee that this activity be aicen over by private groups. Special SPI memoranda of June 29 and :: on this subject were distributed. No action was taken by the F.astics Committee. Interested member producers of vinyl acetate emulsions for food ^*aging have proposed that MCA file a petition with the FDA as pro- the food additives amendment. Such a step in the name of the ^oc.ation was not recommended by the Food Additives Committee; MCA's Committee concurred in that decision. The petition was subfiled by Interested manufacturers as an Ad Hoc group. meting adjourned at 3:30 P. M. Subject to Approval F. H. Carman, Secretary CMA 078408 SPECIAL MEMORANDUM TO EXECUTIVE REPRESENTATIVES OP PLASTICS GROUP SUBJECT; Plastics Exhibit, National Automobile Show In our Plastics Committee meeting of August 9 Mr. Cruse of The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. advised of plans under way for October 15-23 show to be held in Detroit's new exhibition fa cility, Cobo Hall. This is the first national automobile show to be held in Detroit. In a June 1 initial meeting of industries sup porting the automotive field, important suppliers of materials and components were invited to participate in the Industrial exhibition which will be on the lower floor of the hall; exhibits are to be of the educational and institutional type without listing of trade names or identification of specific Items by manufacturers' name. The Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc, has approached in dustry groups such as steel, rubber, aluminum, plastics, glass, tex tiles, plating and protective coatings, leather, chemicals and ad hesives, to participate In the Industrial exhibit. Pertinent points considered in the Detroit meeting of June 1 (various Industry association representatives were present) and that held June 22 (SPI National Automobile Show meeting) were reported in detail. Resolutions voted in the latter meeting,.by secret ballot, and approved 17 yes and 4 no, were: BE IT RESOLVED that It is the recommendation of the .plastics manufacturers present at this meeting that the SPI accept the invitation of the Automobile Manu facturers Association to participate In the National Auto Show next October, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:that the Chairman of the SPI Public Relations Committee be authorized to appoint a committee to prepare an appropriate display In the "Auto Wonderland". BE IT STILL FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairman of the SPI Public Relations Committee be authorized to appoint a committee to solicit participation and financial support for the project from companies doing business with the automobile Industry. Both committees are to report back to the overall com mittee at its next meeting. meeting, a Display Committee under the chairmanship y " G, Brown of E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, and a \"ollcitation Committee under the chairmanship of Mr, John r Consolidated Molded Products, have been organized; a com- ... for exhibit space has been made; and, an exhibit design has Prepared by Gardner Displays. CMA 078409 2 The industrial exhibit, "Auto Wonderland", will include that of the plastics industry for which 1,500 square feet has been al located. The theme for the plastics exhibit is to be ''Plastics -- the Automotive Industry's Most Versatile Engineering Material". The exhibit will Include a wire mock-up of a car showing plastic items currently being used; identification will be by the generic name of the material, etc. Financing required for the exhibit is estimated at $40,000 to $50,000, total budget. This is tentatively broken down as fol lows : $ 7,500 ................... - space rent (already committed) 20,000 - $25* 000 - construction and maintenance of display $ 7,500 - $17,500 - Insurance, literature, manning the display, and contingencies SPI will endeavor to obtain financing for this project from companies in the plastics Industry doing business with the automo tive industry. On this point, several plastics representatives on August 9 urged that this solicitation not be restricted to SPI mem bers since substantial support should be forthcoming from nonmembers supplying plastic products. Mr. Cruse reported that plans are going forward to solicit support from member fabricators supply ing the automotive industry and it is hoped that this can be con cluded shortly after Labor Day; they are aiming for one-half of the funds from that group. The Support Solicitation Committee will then contact the material suppliers to obtain the balance of the financing. No plan of assessment has yet been finalized. Other than as noted above, the Plastics Committee took no ac tion nor made any recommendation on this undertaking, and this is being called to your attention for general Information at this time. A-gU3t 11, I96O CMA 078410 UNDERWRITERS' LABORATORIES, INC. Chicago 11, Illinois Appendix B Subject 484 July 6, i960 BULLETIN TO: Casualty and Electrical Councils of Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. and Listeea of Room Air Conditioners. We have inquiries from manufacturers who want to know how "slow-burning" grilles or decorative fronts for room airconditioners may be continued in use after September 1, 1961. Our earlier bulletins indicated this would be possible where other combustible materials are not used on the in terior of the equipment and the grille Is located away from the electrical system. Electrical wiring system safeguards would also permit the use of "slow-burning" material for grilles as well as other internal parts after September 1, 1961. Suitable wiring raceways and adequate electrical enclosures which safely confine Ignition sources provide such safeguards. GHP-.KW /S/ G. H. POPE Managing Engineer, Casualty and Automotive Department CMA 078411