Document 3Ne6qe2wQz2OgBLY3nGrxDOz0

March 24, 1976 Mr. Hobart V. Guthell Group Vice President Borden Chemical 180 Bast Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 Daar Bob: Thanks vary much for your lattar of March 15, in which you make youraalf vary daar. Naadlaas to aay, I have no intention of upsetting Borden or tha other film manufacturers by that lattar to the Sierra Club which was written for me by staff and Hill and Knowlton under tha supervision of the Vinyl Chloride and PVC Producers Coo&ittee. As a utter of fact, I think we have a much larger problem here than la reflected in disagreement over what vas said by me to the Sierra Club. First, I think its time to review the purposes and activities of the PVC Packaging Film Group. As I recall, this group vas not allowed to function in MCA and was taken on by SPI in order to be of help to the members. At least in all the meetings of this group where SPI etaff has been present, I don't believe there have been any Indications given go us of dissatiafaction with SPI. As you wall know, wa have been herd et work representing the VCM/ PVC Producers Group for the past two years. Borden has participated in that program, although not always vary actively. CJttr records show that Haary Peed is the voting representative for Borden on that group. I can only hops that he haa been keeping you Informed and that your wishes have been expressed to him ao that he or one of his staff could make these things known to ua. I am aware, for example, that ^our group in Borden vas not particularly happy to have ua take on the proposed PDA Standard because film was cleared and at least some of your people felt that we should have left well alone. Aa it stands, however, ve represent all of the industry, including the Blister Pack and Bottle people. Although not mentioned in feour getter, Mr. D'Amato is very unhappy with us about the California bill. Please understand that on behalf of SPI I am the only one empowered by our bylaws to retain outside SPI23404 2- - Hr. Robert V. Gutheil March 24, 1976 counsel. This ve did, with proper notification both to SPI's Public Affairs Committee and to the VCM/PVC Producers Committee. We moved fast. We were not aware that Borden had also hired an attorney. There Is no way that thla attorney can be considered an authorized representative of SPI. I have had no contacts with the man to this date. Very dearly, there is a need for better co--uuliretlons here. I do believe that on your next visit to Hew York it would be of great advantage If you and 1 could meet and talk about these various matters. Please do not take anything 1 have said in this letter as antagonistic. I don't feel that way. Rather I am a bit saddened and confused by these matters. 1 do think that everything could be cleared up if there was closer touch maintained and if Borden representatives were more active In SPI. I look forward to hearing from you. Cordially, RLHisms cc: Jerry Carroll John Lawrence Sam Huapllger Jerry Beckman Bob Farrante Rosa Adams Bob Downey Ralph L* Harding, Jr. President SPI23405 March 29, 1976 Dr. R. Oelker Unlonplastl Uuione Naeionale Industrie Materle Flsetlche Via Fetitti 16 1-20149 Milano Italy Dear Dr. Oelker: As Indicated In my cable sent today, the beat vay for you to keep posted on our every changing vinyl chloride situation is to keep in touch with Mr. Dornemann, Dr. Ceaanl or Dr. Holaes-Walker. Zn addition, Montedison Is an active member of Che PVC Producers Comalttee of CEFIC. The European most concerned with PVC food packaging Is Jean-Claude Thomas at Rhone Poulenc. As you may know, the CEFIC Committee has Just issued an excellent summary statement on PVC for packaging under the title of "Vinyl Chloride Toxicity and the Ose of Polyvinyl Chloride for Packaging Foodstuffs." While not for general distribution, this is an excellent report. We understand that the Food and Drag Administration will not be making a decision before June at the earliest - and probably later. Also, we note that the European PVC lnddstry la a very different and far more realistic approach, built around 50 ppsts per billion* Again, I urge you to coordinate with Montedison on this matter. I trust the two enclosures are also helpful. Cordially, RLH:lj Enclosures SPI23407 May A, 1976 Mr. John C. <7--1 nh Hftrbtlat Ms--gar Haw * Plastics Corporation 310 Sal-- Str--t Itobozn, Maaaacbu--tta 01801 D--r John: Thanks for your lottor of March 29. Aftor hiring takan tha OSHA standard to tho Court of Appaals and 1--t and to tha Supra-- Court whara ravlav --a turoad down, -- --ally don't have --ay grounds lift for disputing tha 06BA standard on VCM. Maaawhlla, tbs raduetlon of --no--t In tha r--la has fraad --ay --ra processors froa any obligation --dar tha standard. You ara right, of courts, on tha "o--r kill" lapoaad by tha VCM standard. On tho other hand, tha VCM/PVC prodnears ha-- laamad to 11-- with It. Aa long as they ha-- -- Inclination for any --ra fighting, perhaps you and 1 should 1---- it alo--. Cordially, CC: J. Cahn Vm. Millar SPI23410 May 14, 1976 Mr. Barry Barnes ICI P. 0. Box No 6 Basscner Road Welwyn Garden City Hertfordshire, England Dear Barry: It wee certainly good to hear from you In your letter of April 22. We are sorry to see you leave the front-line forces on the VCM natter. On the ether hand, I oust say that there are many days when I wish I eould also be transferred away from further Involvement. Meanwhile, we are being kept fully posted and the liaison if excellent with John Stafford. Further, Dr. Karl Bochsehsandder of American Hoechst has been set up as an on-going liaison officer between CEFIC and the VCM/PVC Producers Group over here. I have Just written to John Stafford to teUhhini of our plans to be in London beginning June 17 - 20. As I explained to John, I believe the lnferaatlon flow is sufficiently up to date so that a telephone call my suffice for any last minute items. I explained to him that I have this continuing desire to see more of London than is normally possible. May I also give you a call to extend personal greetings? Frankly, I had hoped that I might see Allan Barrett but his "diary" is full. This was in connection with my offer to be of some assistance in connection with the fo formation of the new Association of Plastics Manufacturers In Europe. Please give our very beat to Jean. Cordially, &LH1JJ SPI23411