Document 996MYd0BxajkJyebkpVXwv0eL

iflIAnivm rtAiiUAAL Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc. (FOUNDED 1(72) 1623 Eye Street, N.W. SANK H. CAIMAN oatociL dmctoi WASHINGTON 6, D. C > MINUTES OF MEETING -- PLASTICS COMMITTEE Union League Club, New lark City October 21, 1958 PRESENT: Messrs. R. A. Hoelelman, American Cyanamid Company T. J. Kinsella, Allied Chemical Corporation Bjorn Andersen, Celanese Corporation of America David L, Eynon, Jr,, Koppers Company, Inc, George M. Hale, Canadian Resins and Chemicals Limited Elmer F. Hinner, Hercules Powder Company, Inc, R. K. Mueller, Monsanto Chemical Company Valter H. Salzenberg, E, I, du Pont de Nemours & Co,, Inc, J. D. Benedito (for R. K. Turner) Union Carbide Corporation William P. Marsh, Jr,, U. S, Industrial Chemicals W. E. Manring, B. F. Goodrich Chemical Company William Demarest, MCA F. H. Carman, MCA The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by Chairman R, A. Hoekelman. SCOPE OF COMMITTEE PROGRAM The Chairman advised that a letter was addressed to him by Mr. J. R. Hoover, president, B. F, Goodrich Chemical Contpany, setting forth a proposal that the scope of activities of the Plastics Committee and Plastics Group be enlarged to include man-made rubber and other synthetic elastomers; a number of advantages for this to MCA members was presented. Following a discussion of pros and cons of such a step, it was agreed that opinion of counsel should be sought; a copy of the letter should be forwarded with these minutes (Appendix A); member manufacturers of synthetic rubber should be listed for general information (Appendix B); each committee member should look at this problem as to advantages and disadvantages from the standpoint of his company r-- its interest in the plastics and elastomers field; and the subject should be tabled for further consideration at the next meeting, g-AIRMAN - TECHNICAL SUBCOMMITTEE Hr. H. w, Mohrman, Monsanto, has been chairman of the Technical Sub- co^ittee for the past five years and has submitted his resignation, eeling that it was time for this task to be taken on by another repre sentative. On motion duly seconded, the nomination of Mr, W, C, Goggin of as unanimously approved for this assignment, Mr. Goggin had already to accept this assignment if approved by the Plastics Committee. CMA 078335 NEW RESEARCH PROJECT The proposal of the New Project Subcommittee to establish a new research project at Case Institute of Technology bad been submitted to all technical representatives and the Plastics Committee far comments and approval or dis approval. The program has been approved by 20 companies with two companies dissenting and one other approving a portion of the program. Three members represented on the Plastics Committee had not sent in their comments, but participated in this discussion and voiced approval in voting. In view of the heavy majority of the membership in favor of instituting this new program, and on motion duly seconded, the Committee voted unani mously to approve the new project at Case Institute of Technology at the annual rate of $15,000.00 per year. Notes Funds have been provided for one-half year's operation of this in the current budget. ($7,500.00 far December 1958 through May 1959.) APPLICATION RESEARCH The Committee informally discussed the need for advancing the technology of the converter as an important basic problem of the materials industry. Application research of this nature, to a great degree, was the motivation behind the proposed Plastics Institute considered last year with representa tives of the SPE and the SPI. The success of such joint research programs of other industries, particularly that in the paper industry (TAPPI), was discussed at length. It was the general opinion that there is no hope of such a program being undertaken intelligently unless it is done by the materials manufacturers, and that the converters are looking for someone to do it. It was agreed this subject should be continued on the agenda for the next meeting, and that the Technical Committee consider this during their forthcoming annual meeting, which will probably be held in Cleveland. BUILDING PROGRAM Messrs. Manring and Demarest reported briefly on the proposed revision of the chapter in the West Coast Building Code applicable to plastics, and the results of the building officials' annual conference in which the proposed change of the plastics chapter had received tentative approval. A special plastics committee must report back to the conference within one year regarding final revisions to the chapter. The International Conference of Building Officials is being pressed for prompt establishment of their plastics committee to recommend the appropriate changes and for a meeting to be scheduled soon. One MCA member present urged that this be followed very closely so that we do not lose ty default. (ICBO has communicated with Mr. Demarest subsequent to the Plastics Committee meeting, inviting two MCA representatives to participate in the committee's work.) CMA 078336 -3- Mr. Demarest reported that he was favorably impressed with the fire protection engineer employed as a part-time consultant on the West Coast, particularly as to his ability to meet with fire and building officials and discuss the industry's problem. Based on reports already cleared and Mr. Demarest's comments, Mr. Charles E. Smith apparently is serving well as our "eyes and ears" on the West Coast. A memorandum regarding fire hazards of plastics in building, partic ularly on the subject of flammable testing, had been cleared to this Committee and the Plastics in Building Committee on October 16. It was pointed out that this is going to be considered by the latter Committee in its next meeting. This will include a proposal for a flammable testing project now before the same committee. On the same subject of flammability, members were advised that a *keyn channel of communication had been established with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA); it appears that we can work with the NFPA to publish general information on plastics in their series of reports. Also, in relation to this problem, Mr. Hinner commented on the desirability of contact being made with Mr. C. E. Jones of Hercules, who had had a long experience in the field of safety and fire hazards of materials and products; this will be done as soon as practicable. Mr. Manring observed relations with SPI are of the best insofar as building code activities are concerned. PLASTIC KEPTJSE CONTAINERS Messrs. Eynon and Benebit o reported that there appeared to be no practical solution to the problem of discouraging the attack on polyethylene containers by rats, that addition of additives would probably not prevent the attack, and that it would be prudent to drop the subject at this time. Mr. Wash of Phillips commented in a letter that many materials, including aluminum alloys, are not immune to attack. He quoted Public Health Monograph Number 11, The Resistance of Construction Materials to Penetra tion by Rats. nIn view of the apparent ability of rats to gnaw any type of neterial with a hardness rating below that of their tooth enamel, it becores evident that veiy few materials can be considered ratproof." Apparently, this problem arose through agitation sparked, in part, by producers of competitive materials in several cities where codes or <rdinances have required the use of metal garbage cans. Since there was no specific activity indicated on the part of the MCA, it was agreed this special subcommittee should be disbanded. PLASTIC DRUM LINERS The Committee was advised of recent reports concerning the static *tards of polyethylene and other plastics that might be used for shipping liners and the proposal of the General Safety Committee that data L ***8 on hazards involved might be an appropriate MCA publication. Recent cation of the SPI on this subject was mentioned and it was the general ^acensus that sufficient information was available to industry at this CMA 078337 -u- food additives legislation The impact of the recently enacted Food Additives Law including pretesting and approvals necessary for plastic materials used in pack aging was considered briefly. Members were advised that a special subcommittee of the Food Additives Committee was meeting shortly with representatives of the Food and Drug Administration to consider regula tions to implement the new law. It was agreed that the plastics interests are well represented on this aforementioned subcommittee and that there would be no point in further action until this special sub committee had had a chance to consult with IDA on these regulations. NEXT MEETING The next meeting for the Plastics Committee is tentativelyscheduled for December 9 in New York City. The regular semi-annual meeting dinner of the Plastics Group is scheduled for Monday, Novem ber 2h, at the Manhattan Club, beginning at 7t00 p.m.jthis follows the Allied Chemical Company cocktail party held annually on the evening prior to the MCA Semi-Annual Meeting. The meeting adjourned at 3t30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, FHC/so October 29, 19?8 cct Mr. Marx Leva All Present Mr. Harry Krehbiel Mr. H. R. Thies Mr. R. K. Turner Mr. George Wash Enclosures - 2 F. H. Carman CMA 078338 C 0 P Y To s Mr, R. A, Hoekelman American Cyanamid Company 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York 20, New York From* Mr, John R, Hoover, President B. F, Goodrich Chemical Company3135 Euclid Avenue Cleveland 15, Ohio Dates October 17, 1958 Appendix A Dear Bobs In listening to a discussion at the MCA Board meeting in Wilmington this week I had a thought which I'd like to pass along to you and the Plastics Committee for considerations Why not enlarge the scope (and representation) of the Plastics Committee and the Plastics Group to include man-made rubber and other synthetic elastomers? It could then be called the "Plastics and Elastomers Committee" or some similar, suitable name. Advantages would bet 1. Increased coverage, activities, participation and benefits. 2. Reduced "exposure" to anti-trust suspicion. 3* A place for the synthetic rubber boys to "roost" (I'm referring both to general purpose and special purpose types of elastomers). These fellows are all mixed up with their customers in RMA and I have a hunch they'd welcome participation in a plastics and elastomers group. I hope you will want to discuss this suggestion seriously in the Plastics Committee and then to make an appropriate recommendation to the MCA Board. Whatever is done along this line should, of course, be entirely without prejudice to the question of whether MCA should *ve additional product committees or groups. ^ith. kindest regards. Sincerely, 7i.-rd e': H. B. McClure D. H. Dawson 5* Hall G. R. Vila E* S, Frederick s/J. R. Hoover r* CMA 078339 Appendix B Member Synthetic Rubber Producers October 28, 19^8 1. Firestone Tire and Rubber Company (MCA member: Firestone Plastics Company) 2. Goodrich-Gulf Chemicals, Inc. 3. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company ii. E. I. du Pont de Nemours St Company, Inc. 3. Shell Chemical Corporation 6. Phillips Petroleum Company 7. Humble Oil & Refining Company 8. The General Tire St Rubber Company 9. United States Rubber Company 10. Polymer Corporation limited 11. United Rubber & Chemical Company 12. Enjay Company, Inc. 13. Thiokol Chemical Corporation lij. . R. Grace St Company Note: Please advise the Washington office of other MCA members that should have been included. 'jmok--