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The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. 355 Lexington Avenue New York. New York 10017 (212)573 9400 Ralph L. Harding, Jr. President December 18, 1975 TO: Plastics Association Directors PUESSELDORE MEETINGS Enclosed is your copy of the sunm&ry of our October Meetings at Dueaseldorf. This report has been unavoidably delayed until Dr. Camani could send us the plans for our Rigi Meeting next June. I am pleased to enclose not only his schedule for Rigi and an excellent airline guide, but also his up-to-date list of all of the members of our Committee. Also enclosed is a report from Japan, showing how their association is organized, along with a copy of SPI's 1975 Annual Report and my Christmas card. Here's hoping that 1976 is a much better year for all of us. Again, on behalf of all of us I want to congratulate and thank our German hosts for making the meeting most pleasant and worthwhile. Cordially ) RLH :1J Enclosures P.S. For those of you who are concerned about our PVC situation, our Environmental Protection Agency published a proposed VCM standard on December 17. While very strict, it appears to be in line with their preliminary proposal discussed with them last summer. With additional effort, the industry can probably conform. In addition, the SPI response and proposal on the proposed Food ana Drug Administration regulation for blister pack and bottles was submitted as of December 19. In it we have provided extensive data to support our claims that the VCM content contained in PVC resins has been substantially reduced and that 'VCM content in food contact articles is so low (undetectable with the only test methodology agreed to be generally reliable and reproducible) that such articles meet FDA's requirements." SP123365 PLASTICS ASSOCIATION DIRECTORS SIMMARY OF MEETINGS - Thursday 9 October and Friday 10 October, 1975 Bad Godesberg and Dusseldorf, Germany (After gathering at the North Reception Area of the Jhir, the delegates traveled by Taxi, Train, Bia and foot to the Hotel Godesberg on the site of the Bad Godesberg Castle.) Mr. Bornemann (Germany) as chairman,welcomed all of the delegates to the excellent meeting room in the historic castle, away from the distractions of K-75. Next, Chairman Bornemann called for self-introductions. In attendance were the following: Argentina Austria - Australia Belgium - Canada Finland France West Germany - Great Britain Ireland Israel Italy - Nicolas Ricardo Palacios Karl Gruber Friederich Radlwimmer Frank Ashworth Jean-Paul Demeyer Marcel Vivile Ron Evason Aarno Piltz A. Bartholoni Henner Bornemann Henning Diederichs Haimo Emminger Joadim Vetthotter Hans Weber Anthony Holtnes-Walker Donal Murphy Amnon Even Roberto Chiodini Roberto Oelker SPI23366 - 2- Japan - Mexico Netherlands -, Norway Sweden Switzerland United States - Takaji Hirabayashi Maseru Ishizaka Renaldo Reyes Retana Th. Bekaert I. Grostad Bertil Lundin Adriano Caaani Al Evans Ralph L. Harding Mr. Harding (USA), serving aa Secretary, asked the delegates to sign the attendance list, showing addresses and telephone numbers. An op-to-date and corrected listing is enclosed, but any further corrections should be sent promptly to Mr. Harding. Dr. Camani (Switzerland) called attention to the planned retirement of Mr. Geoff Stanley (Great Britain), and Dr. Holmes-Wslker (Great Britain) promised to convey best wishes from all of the delegates. Chairman Bornemann then asked Dr. Holmea-Walker to present his summary of the individual 197k reports provided by most but not all of the delegates. He also distributed copies, for the record, of his 1973 summary. As requested, Dr. HoLmesWalker agreed to revise the statistical tables in order to include the data from other countries whose reports were made available at the meeting. (Copies of the revisions have been sent directly to all delegates.) In the discussion Mr. Bartholoni (France) suggested that the price information might be very misleading unless carefully interpreted. There were also ft number of questions about proper definitions, especially for "per capita" statistics, and about the possibilities for developing more information via the questionnaires. Mr. Vivile (Belgium) also presented Ms summary of the information received in his survey on association responsibilities and activities. Finally, it was generally agreed that the summary information only should be used by the delegates in published reports to members. Individual country reports are not for publication. Next, Chairman Bornemann called for individual comments all around the conference table on the 1975-1976 outlook for the plastics business in each country: Germany - Some early improvement now; hope it will continue Belgium - K-75 is key; we may not yet be at deepest point. 1976 may not be higher than 1975. SP123367 -u- Sweden Ireland - Recession came later - spring 1975, but the situation is no different. - Material imports at 50^ of 1975 with 25^ inflation. Improvement not likely until the last half of 1976. (The Secretary apologizes if his notes omitted comments from any of the delegates.) Following a brief intermission. Chairman Bomemann introduced the subject of vinyl chloride. He pointed out that the problem of work-place regulatiom,so critical a year ago, has settled down. Today, the chief concern is with food packaging regulations, especially influenced by the ISA situation. Mr. Harding then went into considerable detail in providing special background on the proposed USA regulations of FVC for food packaging, which could result in the banning of FVC bottles and blister pack. He attempted to make it clear that this was more of a political situation than a health matter. He urged the delegates to explain to their governments, as well as their colleagues, that it was not wise and not necessary to follow the USA example. In conclusion, he added that the USA FVC industry remains optimistic about the ultimate outcome after long negotiations and probably a court test. Chairman Bornemann replied by stating his belief that the USA/FDA approach will not be followed in Europe. In fact, the limit for VCM migration into food is likely to be 0.C5 ppm. Mr. Bartholoni then described the strong anti-FVC campaign waged in France, especially against FVC wine bottles. He pointed out that a special and Important committee has been formed among FVC supporters to defend themselves and to persuade authorities and the public that FVC is safe. This new group is organized to include wine company executives, bottle manufacturers, and others, and not just the PVC resin producers. A copy of the program summary for this group, "GECOM", was distributed. Delegates were urged by Mr. Bartholoni to contact him if they had further questions about this activity. Mr. Harding called attention to a simi^** FVC public relations program in USA. Dr. Camani added that a top food regulation official in Switzerland had told him that "even in yeast there are cancer causing materials present." The official expressed the need to be careful but realistic about public health regulations. Chairman Bornemann added that all this emphasizes the need for continuing communications among ourselves, since all plastics materials are likely to be under the same kinds of suspicions as vinyl chloride. SPI23369 -5 (The meeting va0 then adjourned until 09:30 on Friday. First, however, the delegatee had an excellent dinner together at Bad Godeeberg Castle. On the return toward* Dusseldorf by bus. Dr. Diederichs (Germany) served as the tour director, describing the government buildings in Bonn. The meeting reconvened at about 09:30 on the stage of Hall Number 1 in the Congress Center at the Dusseldorf Fair Grounds.) ***** To open the Friday morning session Chairman Bornemann called on Dr. Catnani to describe a proposed lav in Svitzerland regulating the toxicity of additives in plastics. This law, when passed, is likely to set the pattern for all of Europe. In its present form the bill is more stringent and more complex than necessary. Expecting that it vill be passed in one form or another, the Industry is trying to help make it realistic and reasonable. Dr. Camani vill provide copies (in German) on request. Chairman Bornemann then led a brief discussion on non~tariff barriers to international trade. After 15 years the Common Market countries are still struggling to Improve the situation. Other countries have special barriers of their own, such as the Japanese requirements for expensive testing in Japan prior to approval. Dr. Gruber (Austria) pointed out that the developments were often contradictory and that governments should control less and help us to sell more. Mr. Bartholonl informed the delegates that a new environmental law has now been passed in France giving the government wide, but as yet unspecified, regulatory authority. A similar law, according to Mr. Bekaert (Netherlands) is under consideration in Hoi land, strongly opposed by his federation. Mr. Bornemannindicated that a Batelle Institute study would soon be completed shoving the advantages of plastics waste in landfill, compared with other materials. The next subject was a description of the planned formation of a new international plastics materials association for all of Western Europe. This vill be by Individual firm rather than country, but it will be tied to CEFIC at Brussels (Common Market organizations).. Heretofore the large chemical companies have felt they could deal with problems individually. Nov they see the need for joint solutions. Messrs. Bornemann and Camani are working closely with the new group. Mr. Vivile also reported that "Eutroplast" now had a chance for survival as the unifying force for processors throughout the common market. During the break, Mr. Hirabayashi (Japan) asked for a definition of the line between "plastics" and "chemicals." It was agreed generally that the precursors were "chemicals'1 and the material at polymerization became "plastics," with some exceptions such as the ingredients for cellular plastics. In return Mr. Harding asked the Japanese delegate for an organization chart showing the reporting relationship of all of the various Japanese plastics associations. When received, this will be distributed to l of the delegates. SPJ23370 6- - The next topic was public relatione: What should we be doing to remedy the lack of understanding of our materials and our industry? Chairman Bornemann suggested a small, simple publication to the public and the schools. Dr. Holmes-Walker Indicated that their small booklet to journalists will be revised for broader use. Mr, Ashworth (Australia) reported on their publication* Mr. Harding stated his belief that the teachers were a critical group among the "influentials" who must be reached. Mr. Bekaert told of a special committee dealing with this problem in Holland. Mr. Lundin (Sweden) said that two educational television programs on plastics had been very successful in Sweden. It was agreed that the exchange of information on such efforts would be very helpful, since the problem is universal. Next, Dr. Diederichs reported that the pictures taken of our meeting would be released with a brief statement on our proceedings. Also, Mr. Vetthotter (Germany) reported that the machinery companies of Europe (EUROMAP) would soon be starting the development of harmonized machinery safety standards for all Europe. Mr. Harding pledged full cooperation from the USA machinery industry. Beginning the discussion of future meetings, all agreed on the desirability of getting together away from fairs and of the need for the delegates to share in the meeting expenses. Dr. Celker (Italy) stated that because of decisions reached last year arrangements were not being made for next year's meeting to be in Milan, in anticipation of Dr. Camani's proposal for a meeting in Rigi, Switzerland. After discussion it was agreed as follows: The Milan Pair is scheduled for June 20-26. However, on June 25 the delegates will gather for luncheon in Milan. We will proceed together by train, etc. to Rigi that afternoon and evening, remaining together in Rigi until June 27 at noon. Dr. Camani's proposed meeting plan is enclosed. The delegates also voted approval for Mr. Harding to develop a meeting plan in the United States in October, 1977. Before adjourning, Chairman Bornemann asked for additional comments. Mr. Ashworth strongly urged that more time be given for more topics and that more delegates should particpate in the discussions. Mr. Bornemann responded by saying that the meeting had been open to all and that much must be accomplished via the pre-meeting reports and via individual conversations or meetings, and with direct exchanges of information. Mr. Bartholoni expressed thanks to the organizers of the meeting for the way it had been managed. Mr. Harding asked the delegates to join him in thanking our German hosts for their fine arrangements and wonderful hospitality. He also asked that our special thanks be given to NOWEA for inclusion of the plastics asociations in the K-75 catalogue. SPI23371 7Finally, then, Mr. Bornemann thanked the delegates for attending and for nrnking progress in achieving closer understanding. The delegates joined him in congratulating the translators for their outstanding competence, (Following adjournment, the delegates were the guests of NOWEA in an excellent luncheon in the Conference Center restaurant.) Respectfully submitted. Ralpn l. naraxng, or. SPI23372 Honorary President Mr. Toshishlge Harada Former President of J.P.laA. Secretariat General Hr. Takajl Hirabayaahl General Manager Hr. Keljl Kiyoura SP123373 ARBEITSGEME1NSCHAFT OER SCHWEIZERISCHEK KUHSTSTOFF-IMDUSTRIE PLASTICS ASSOCIATIONS DIRECTORS Meeting 1 976 : Ri g i 24th June 25th June 26th June 10.05 13.02 14.25 15.27 15.30 15.49 16.52 20.00 10.00 13.00 14.30 17.30 20.00 10.07 12.00 15.00 15.15 16.30 16.50 Depart from Milan by TEE-railway 'Roland'1, Lunch Arrival at Lucerne Depart by boat to Vitznau Arrival at Vitznau Depart by cog-wheel railway from Vitznau to Rigi-Kaltbad Arrival at Hostellerie Rigi-Kaltbad, occupation of the rooms (only when weather is fine) Trip by cog-wheel railway to Rigi-Kulm return by foot Dinner cozy chat Breakfast Refreshing bath in the swimmingpool or early morning walk Meeting(with simultanean translation F/E) Lunch Meeting continued Walk (facultative) Dinner cozy chat Breakfast, refreshing bath or walk when weather is good an if not yet made: Trip by cog-wheel railway to Rigi-Kulm and return by foot, or walk Lunch Depart by suspension railway to Weggis (10 Min.) Depart by coach to Zurich (55 km) Arrival at Zurich Arrival at Zurich-Airport SPI23374 ARBEITSGEMEINSCHAFT DER SCHWEIZEBISCHEM KUHSTSTOFF-INDUSTRIE Flight connections from Zurich Amsterdam Bruxel1es Buenos Aires Dublin (via London) Frankfurt Helsinki (via Kopenhagen) (Copenhagen Lissabon (via Madrid) London Madrid Mexiko City Mi 1ano New York Oslo (via Kopenhagen) Pari s Stockholm Sydney Tel Aviv Tokyo Toronto Wien * next day Depart 19.00 h 18.40 h 22.30 h 19.55 h 19.05 h 19.20 h 19.10 h 16.55 h 20.00 h 16.55 h 12.00 h 18.55 h 12.00 h 19.10 h 19.35 h 19.20 h 19.00 h 13.20 h * 13.00 h * 12.55 h * 18.45 h Arrive 20.25 h 19.45 h 11.30 h 23.59 h 20.00 h 00.10 h * 20.50 h 23.10 h 21.35 h 20.55 h 21.00 h 20.40 h 15.40 h 22.35 h 20.45 h 21 .45 h 06.50 h * 18.05 h 20.35 h 17.55 h 19.55 h SPI23375 ARBEITSBEMEINSCHAFT OER SCHVVEIZER1SCHEN KUNSTSTOFF-INDUSTRIE PLASTICS ASSOCIATIONS DIRE C T 0 R S ARGENTINA Nicolai R. Palacios, General Manager Camara Argentina de la Industrie Plastica (CALIP) Sarmiento 2494 Buenos Aires / ARGENTINA AUSTRALIA Robert A. Leschen, Director The Plastics Institute of Australia Inc. P.0, Box 131 St. Kilda West 3182 / AUSTRALIA AUSTRIA Dr. Karl Gruber, Managing Director Fachverband der Chemischen Industrie Oesterreichs Bauernmarkt 13 P.0. Box 69 A-1011 Wien 1 / AUSTRIA BELGIUM Marcel Vi vile, Secretary Fabrimetal, Groupe 18 Fabriplast 21 , rue des Drapiers B-1050 Bruxelles / BELGIUM L. E. Bi11en Federation des Industries Chimiques de Belgique Section Producteurs de Matures Plastiques 49, Square Marie-Louise B-1040 Bruxelles / BELGIUM P.L. Gerard, Secretary Federation des Industries Chimiques de Belgique Section Transformateurs de Matieres Plastiques 49, Square Marie-Louise B-1040 Bruxelles / BELGIUM Tel. 47-8541 48-1047 Telegrams CAMPLAST Tel. 94 80 41 Tel. (0222) 63 57 63 Telex 74235 Telegrams CHEMVERBAND Tel. (02) 511 23 70 Telex 21078 Telegrams FABRIMETAL Tel. (02) 735 40 80 Telex 23167 FSchim B Tel. (02) 735 40 80 Telex 23167 Ffcchim B SPI23376 2 BRAZIL Oirector Sindicato da Industrie de Material Pl^stico de Estado de Sao Paulo Viaduto Dona Paulina, 80-5 Andar Sao Paulo / BRAZIL CANADA E.R. Evason, Vice President and General Manager The Society of the Plastics Industry of Canada 1262 Don Mills Road Don Mills / Ontario M3B 2W7 / CANADA Tel. 416-449-3444 CHILE Director Asociacion de Industrias Plasticas de Chile (ASPLA) Casilla 14610 Santiago / CHILE D_ENM_ARK N. Wesley Hansen, Secretary P1 as tic-Sarrmenslutn ingen Bredgade 45 B DK-1260 Copenhagen K / DENMARK Tel. (01 ) 13 60 53 (01 ) 13 87 07 FINLAND Aarno Piltz, Managing Director Muoviyhdistys r.y. (The Finnish Plastics Association) Kalevankato 4 SF-00100 Helsinki 10 / FINLAND Tel. 90-648-378 Telegrams MU0VIYHD1STYS- HELSINKI E. Alenius, Director Suomen Muoviteleol1isuusliitto (The Finnish Plastics Industries Federation) Mikonkotu 15A / Mikaelsgatan SF-00100 Helsinki 10 / FINLAND Tel. 10-711 Telegrams PLASTED SPI23377 -3- FRANCE A. Bartholoni, General Manager Federation Frangaise des Industries Transformatrices des Plastiques (FFLTP) 3, rue Copernic F-75116 Paris / FRANCE Tel. (01) 553 34 05 J. Vivien, Secretary Comite de Liaison Intersyndical des Transformateurs de Matures Plastiques et Similaires (CLIPS) 9, Avenue Hoch F-75008 Paris / FRANCE Tel. (01) 267-08-20 Claude Maquin Syndicat Professionnel des Fabricants de Matures Plastiques et de Rgsines SynthStiques 9, Avenue Hoch F-75008 Paris / FRANCE Tel. (01) 227 63 94 W-Germany H. Bornemann, General Manager H. Emminger, Manager Verband Kunststofferzeugende Industrie e.V. Karlstrasse 21 0-6 Frankfurt a.M. / W-GERMANY Tel. (0611) 23 57 97 (0611) 23 67 37 Telex 41 1372 Telegrams ALCHEMIE Dr. H. Weber, General Manager Dr. H. Diederichs, Manager Gesamtverband Kunststoffverarbeitende Industrie e.V. Niddastrasse 44 D-6 Frankfurt a.M. / W-GERMANY Tel. (0611) 23 76 57 Telex 41 1122 Dr. P. Spamer Fachgemeinschaft Gummi- und Kunststoffmaschinen im VDMA Lyoner Strasse 18 Postfach 710109 D-6 Frankfurt a.M. / W-GERMANY Tel. (0611) 660 32 81 Telex 41 1321 41 3152 HONG KONG Director Hong Kong Plastics Manufacturers Association Ltd 25, Tai Yan Street, San Po Kong Kowloon / HONG KONG SP123378 4 INDIA K.P. Gupta Indian Plastics Federation 4, Upper Chitpu Road Calcutta 7 / INDIA A.H. Srikanta Aiyar, Secretary The All India Plastics Manufacturers' Association Jehangir Building, 3rd floor Mahatma Gandhi Road Fort , Bombay - 400001 / INDIA Tel. 251 035 Telegrams ASOPLASMAC IRELAND Donald Murphy, Director Plastics Industries Association Confederation Irish Industry Confederation House Kildare Street Dublin 2 / IRELAND Tel. 76 03 66 77 98 01 Telex 4711 Telegrams C0NFINDUS ISRAEL Ammon Even, Director Israel Plastics Manufacturers Club 13 Montefiori Street P.0. Box 29116 Tel-Aviv / ISRAEL Tel. 5 52 61 Telegrams PLAMANUF ITALY Dr. Mario Gervasio, Director Dr. R. Oelker, Vice Director Umonpl ast Unione Nazionale Industrie Materie Plastiche Via Petitti 16 1-20149 Milano / ITALY Tel. (02) 32 48 46 Telex 37098 FAIMIL Telegrams INDUSTRIE VARIE Petitti 16, Milano Dr. R. Chiodini, Secretary Aschimici Gruppo Materie Plastiche e resine sintetiche Via Fratebenefratell i 10 1-20121 Milano / ITALY Tel. (02) 66 62 02 (02) 66 62 06 (02) 63 25 32 Telex 39488 ASCHIM Telegrams ASCHIMICI-MILANO SP123379 - 5- JAPAN Ichiro Yajima, Executive Director Takaji Hirabayashi, Secretary General The Japan Plastics Industry Association (JPIA) Tokyo Club Building, No. 2-6, 3 chome Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo / JAPAN MEXICO Reynaldo Reyes Retana y Manero, Executive Vicepresident Asociacidn Nacional de Industrias del Pla'stico, A.C. (ANIPAC) Sul 1ivan No. 165 Mexico 4, D.F. / MEXICO NETHERLANDS Th. Bekaert, Secretary Nederlandse Vereniging Federatie voor Kunststoffen (NVFK) Edward Jennerstraat 336 Haarlem / NETHERLANDS NEW ZEALAND Trevor J. Bates, Executive Officer Plastics Institute of New Zealand Industry House Cnr. Courtney Place and Allen Street P.0. Box 9130 Wellington 1 / NEW ZEALAND NORWAY Torkild Skallerud, Director Norsk Plastforening Rosenkrant2gatan 17 Oslo 1 / NORWAY PORTUGAL Iglesia Esteves Grdmio Nacional dos Industrials de Composigao e Trasformagao de Mate'rias Plasticas Rua de D. EstefSnia 32 - 2 Esq. Lisbon 1 / PORTUGAL Tel. (03) 580-0771/5 Tel. 566-74-66 535-22-23 Tel. (023) 33 22 21 Tel. 55 36 88 Telex 31129 Telegrams MANFAC Tel. (02) 41 30 12 Tel. 5 06 33 SP123380 6 SOUTH AFRICA S.C.J. Badenhorst Plastics Manufacturers Association of South Africa P.0. Box 1338 Johannesburg / SOUTH AFRICA SPAIN Jose M. Cavanillas, General Secretary Agrupacidn Nacional Autonoma de Industriales de Pla'sticos (ANAIP) San Bernardo 62 Madrid 8 / SPAIN Tel. 221-65 81/ r . 221-93 21J Ext* 217' 218 SWEDEN Bertil lundin, Director Sveriges Plastforbund (The Swedish Plastics Federation) Skeppargatan 37 S-11452 Stockholm / SWEDEN Tel. (08) 63 50 20 Telex 19990 SWEDIND Telegrams PLASTICS Sven tangonius Foreningen Sveriges Plastfabrlkanter (The Association of Swedish Plastics Producers) Torsgatan 2 P.0. Box 1133 S-11181 Stockholm C / SWEDEN Tel. (08) 23 05 30 Telex 7150090 Telegrams PLASTFABRIKANT SWITZERLAND Dr. Adriano Camani, Secretary Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Schweizerischen Kunststoffindustrie (ASKI) (Swiss Plastics Industries Federation) Nordstrasse 15 CH-8006 Zurich / SWITZERLAND Tel. (01) 60 36 10 Telex 52872 chimi (att. aski) UNITED KINGDOM DR. W. A. Holmes-Walker, Director C. Bromley, Deputy Director The British Plastics Federation (BPF) 47 Piccadilly London W1V ODN / UNITED KINGDOM Tel. (01) 734-2041 Telex 267746 Telegrams PLASTED LONDON Wl SP123381 7 UNITED STATES Ralph L. Harding, Jr., President The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) 355 Lexington Avenue New York N.Y. 10017 / USA VENEZUELA Dr. Gerardo Hernandez Parra Asociacio'n Venezolana de Industrias Plasticas Avenida Principal de Chuao Caracas / VENEZUELA Tel. 212 573-9400 Tel. 91 83 13 91 01 53 Zurich, 27th November 1975 AC/es 148/75 SPI23382