Document 2RzRLRgKV4139apmegXv2NejL

MARKETS ... Manufacturers of chlorinated insecticides Companies Allied Chemical (New York) American Potash (Los Angeles) Chemical Formulators (Nitro, W. Va.) Commercial Solvents (New York) Diamond Shamrock (Cleveland) Dow Chemical (Midland, Mich.) Du Pont (Wilmington, Del.) FMC (New York) Geigy Chemical (Ardsley, N.Y.) Hercules (Wilmington, Del.) Hooker Chemical (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) Lebanon Chemical (Lebanon, Pa.) Montrose Chemical (Los Angeles) Olin Mathieson (New York) PPG Industries (Pittsburgh, Pa.) Rohm and Haas (Philadelphia) Shell Chemical (New York) Sonford Chemical (Houston) Tenneco Chemicals (New York) Uniroyal (New York) Velsicol Chemical (Chicago) Leading products DDT, others Dechlorane Methoxychlor Dilan BHC, DDT Chlorfenson Methoxychlor Tetrad ifon Chlorobenzilate Toxaphene Lindane, endosulfan DDT DDT DDT BHC Dicofol Aldrin, dieldrin Toxaphene Terpene polychlorinates Aramite Chlordane, endrin, heptachlor Sources: U.S. Tariff Commission, CW Pesticides Report, Apr. 12 and Apr. 26. Fighting to hold a market The chlorinated hydrocarbon pesti cides are embroiled in a battle on two fronts--one against insects and their growing immunity to the chemicals; the other against human foes who con tend that the chemicals irreversibly damage living systems. And while the long-term outlook does not seem to favor the pesticides (see also View point, p. 5), there's evidence in the marketplace that right now they are still doing well. DDT, which has been drawing the concentrated fire of critics for some time, has actually been enjoying in creasing sales of late. Production last year was 138 million lbs.---up sharply from 103.4 million lbs. in *67. More over, output in the first four months of this year is up 1.4% from the same period last year. This however, is still below DDT's peak year of '63, when output reached 178.9 million lbs. Other chlorinated products, which seem destined for attack, primarily because they are in the same product class with DDT, are following a similar market pattern. For example, the aldrin-toxaphene group, which in cludes most of these chlorinated or ganics, gained its output high point in '66, with 130.5 million lbs. And while production dropped in '67, to 120.2 million lbs., sales rose to 134.3 million lbs. by drawing on warehouse stock piles. (One feature of the chlorinated products is long shelf life.) Last year's market data is not yet available, but sales will probably remain at about the '67 level. Chlorinated products (including DDT) are easily the most important class of insecticides in dollar volume as well as poundage. They account for over 50% of the poundage and 45% of the dollar value of all synthetic or ganic insecticides. (Dollar portion is lower than poundage because the products' cost per pound is consider ably less than the average for all insec ticides--a major reason for their con tinuing popularity.) Pesticide makers ring up about $150 million/year in chlorinated insecticides sales -- about $20 million of which is DDT. Moreover, the chlorinated herbi cides--2,4-D and 2,4,5-T and their derivatives -- account for more than 33% of all herbicide and plant-hor mone sales on a poundage basis, 17% on a dollar volume. Annual sales of these herbicides are about $75 million. Shifting Mix: Although DDT vol ume is holding up well despite grow ing criticism of its use, the sales mix is shifting drastically. Domestic use is declining steadily, while exports rose from 81.8 million lbs. in '67 to 109.1 million lbs. last year (over 80% of total sales). Moreover, exports during the first three months of this year were up more than 30% vs. the same period last year. Most of the export surge is the re sult of AID'S (Agency for Internation al Development) program for mos quito control in malarial areas. Domestically, objections to DDT's high level of sustained broad-spectrum toxicity have resulted in loss of mar kets to products such as methyl parathion, malathion and methoxychlor. But DDT's low cost (17-180/lb., com pared with over 500/lb. for other chlorinated organics and more than $ 1.50/lb. for some organic phos phates) and low application rate (be cause of resistance to breakdown) add up to low treatment cost. Result: DDT will probably hold its cotton-field mar ket for some time to come. But by '75, Arthur D. Little, Inc., predicts, DDT. use will decline to 50% of its present volume and may even tually disappear entirely (CW Pesti cides Report, Apr. 26). Many in the industry agree, point out that this is the path already followed by inor ganics such as the arsenates and by benzene hexachloride. The former hit a peak in the early '40s, the latter in '51. Both now have relatively little market. One cause for decline in use of a particular insecticide: insect resistance, which develops by natural selection. And the list of species resistant to DDT is lengthening. Hastening the End: But DDT's critics are eager to hasten the end. And there is no question that they are meeting with increasing success. Among the signs: a ban on DDT in Arizona; cancellation of registrations DSW 433786 July 12, 1969 CHEMICAL WEEK 31 STLCOPCB4086894 MARKETS in Michigan; a hearing before the Concentration of Fire: Thus far, Wisconsin Natural Resources Com DDT rather than the broad range of mission, in which DDT was assailed ohlorinated products has drawn the as an environmental contaminant; pro fire of critics. For example, the Na posed anti-DDT laws in California and tional Audubon Society recently set up in Congress. a campaign to ban DDT. But it in DDT makers are naturally defensive cluded methoxychlor among suggested Ashland about their product. And the five pro ducers* prefer to let the pesticide in dustry's trade spokesman, the National Agricultural Chemical Assn. (NACA), substitutes. And Victor Yannacone, Jr., attorney for the Environmental Defense Fund of Patchogue (New York), which do the talking. sued for the ban of DDT in Michigan i NACA has reacted strongly to the criticism, has organized a "DDT Task and Wisconsin, says: "We're not out to get other pesticides. We've attacked Force" to fight attempts of conserva DDT solely on its chemical character tion organizations to have DDT istics--persistence, stability, mobility, banned or its use restricted. and tendency to concentrate in animal But one DDT maker declares: tissues. We don't have that kind of `There's no truth in the statement that documentation on other pesticides." DDT is harmful. As far as man is But other chlorinated insecticides concerned, it is the safest effective seem almost certain to be involved You name it . . . we've got it! insecticide." before the DDT battle in over. For The Industrial Chemicals and Sol vents Division of Ashland Chemi cals can deliver everything from commodity chemicals to custom blends and combinaticfh orders... by the drum, truckload or in bulk. We're nearby, wherever you are. We're basic and integrated from petroleum up ... so you can de pend on an uninterrupted supply. The list below covers only a few major groupings from our stock of hundreds of industrial chemicals. Another producer remarks: "We can't go much further without involv ing other pesticides, and if that hap pens it can't help but show how good DDT is." And all the producers are aware that DDT's troubles can hurt else where. Abner Feigin, Allied's produc tion manager for pesticides, sums it up this way: "We are afraid that the campaign against DDT will lead to example, Yannacone says, `The litera ture on dieldrin is commensurate with that on DDT. And we have data also on aldrin and hepteachlor." Moreover, he hints that action may be taken against a "federal agency that is planning to use dieldrin for control of fire ants in a wildlife pre serve in Texas." In addition, Yannacone says, EDF's next planned step is a suit to compel consumer rejection of other, much the U.S. Agriculture Dept, to modify KETONES safer insecticides, such as TDE and its pesticide control procedures. TERPENE PRODUCTS ESTERS ALIPHATIC SOLVENTS methoxychlor." Some of the other chlorinated pesti cides are already losing their markets. But the problem can be traced to insect (USDA is charged with the admini stration of the pesticide control pro gram.) USDA recently received a report AROMATIC SOLVENTS resistance rather than to human from the National Academy of Sci CHLORINATED SOLVENTS PLASTICIZERS GLYCOLS & GLYCOL ETHERS enemies--at least at present. For ex ample, a professor at a Midwest agri cultural college says, "Aldrdn and heptachlor use dropped 15% in our ences stating that present control methods "do not appear to insure the prevention of environmental contami nation"--thus agreeing with one of ALCOHOLS state last year, is dropping more this EDF's major contentions (CW, June AMINES year and they will probably disappear 21, p. 55). ACIDS & ALKALIS PHOSPHATES SILICATES from use soon." A marketing manager at one agri cultural chemical company adds: "Aldrin use could decline faster than that Pressure for modification of the pesticide registration procedure is com ing. from within the federal govern ment, too. of DDT." Pointing up government concern: Check your needs. Now call your Ashland sales representative . . . or contact Industrial Chemicals and Solvents Division, Eight East Long Street, Columbus, Ohio 43216. One difficulty in assessing the chlor inated pesticide situation: with the ex ception of DDT, little production or sales data are available -- and pro ducers have considerable flexibility, Robert Finch, Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, says this coun try is too far from the goal of re stricting persistant insecticides (CW, May 3, p. 12). He has commissioned AIC-6 can easily increase plant capacities to a study of pesticides and their rela meet changing needs. tionship to the environment. The study Ashland Ashland Chemical Company DIVISION OF ASHLAND OIL A REFINING COMPANY Montrose has 80-mttlion-Ibs./year capacity; Diamond Shamrock, 35 million; Olin Mathieson, 30 million; Allied Chemical, 20 million; Lebanon Chemical, 15 million. But capacity of these plants is flexible and can be increased considerably on demand. is slated for completion by year's end. In addition, Leslie Glasgow, Assist ant Interior Secretary for Fish and Wildlife, says he is personally in favor of a ban on DDT. END 32 CHEMICAL WEEK July 12, 1969 DSW 433787 STLCOPCB4086895