Document JNErLG3q8nBELKG5wDY0p4pJ6

TELEPHONE NATIONAL 8-2388 Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc (POUNDED 1872) 1625 Eyb Street, N. W. D.Washington 6, C Minutes of Meeting Plastics Committee September 30> 1954 Manhattan Club, New York City PRESENT: Messrs. C. B. Branch (chairman), Dow Chemical Company S. L. Brous, General Electric Company L. Eckler, Celanese Corporation of America J. J. B. Fulenwlder, Hercules Powder Company R. A. Hoekelman, American Cyanamld Company T. J. KInsella, Barrett Division of Allied' Chemical & Dye Corp. G. C. Miller, Bakellte Company R. K. Mueller, Monsanto Chemical Co. E. D. Rles, E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. Carl Pottenger, Koppers Company, Inc. F. H. Carman, Manufacturing Chemists' Assn. : ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN , Mr. Branch advised that a committee composed of Messrs. M. G. Mllliken, E. D. Rles, and G. C. Miller had proposed Mr. R. K. Mueller as a nominee for Vice Chairman. The Chairman then asked for further nominations; there being f none, Mr. Mueller was unanimously elected Vice Chairman of the Plastics Com mittee . j BUILDING CODES - Brief comments were made on the S.P.I. meeting at White Sulphur Springs j attended by M.C.A. representatives (written report had been previously cirm culated to the Committee), and recent actions taken in San Francisco. Fol! lowing lengthy discussion of the code problems as they affect the materials j manufacturers, the status of this work in cooperation with the fabricators j of plastic products, and the long-term benefits that would accrue from such activities on the part of the materials manufacturers. It was the sense of | the group that M.C.A. should continue to cooperate with the S.P.I. in arriv" tng at an over-all industry position. The proposed committee of two from I.C.A., two from S.P.I., and one from N.E.M.A. (because of their activity CMA 078190 Plastics Committee Meeting September 30, j-95^ Page 2 Building Codes (continued) In the laminating field) appears to be the proper procedure to handle the plastics industry code problems at this time. It is believed that there are no other interested groups in the industry which can not be represented by these associations. It was the sense of the group that the two repre sentatives from M.C.A. should be guided by the M.C.A. Special Committee on Plastics in Building In any of their representations on the over-all commit tee. In discussion, it was emphasized that an individual company position should not dominate the Association's views, and that the code authorities would welcome representations based upon the industry as a whole. BUILDING TECHNICAL CONFERENCE Program for this Conference being held October 27 & 28, 195^ was dis tributed, and general plans outlined. On motion, duly seconded and passed unanimously, the M.C.A. office was authorized to support the Conference up to a maximum of $2,500 (as provided in the budget) from the Financial Pack age collected for this purpose. (The S.P.I. is expected to defray about one-half of this expense.) It was the original understanding these costs would be taken care of by the sponsoring associations. Mr. R. K. Mueller Is handling a summarizing assignment, specifically to present management's views. He asked the other Committee members for any assistance they could give him in the way of actual figures to indi cate the extent of research and/or investment in the manufacture of plas tic materials and plans being made to Insure the industry's long-term growth. Industry programs As a follow-up on the open discussion at Oyster Harbors on frequency of trade shows, methods of obtaining better public acceptance of plastic products, and consumer education programs, the Chairman asked for all mem bers' views on what further action should be taken by the Committee. Attention was then given to letters from: Mr. D. Hunter of Transfilm Co., asking that this Committee consider production of a film or series of films that would be acceptable for TV fill-ins; Mr. H. W. Mason, Vice Presi dent of Reichhold Chemicals, Inc., giving views on cost of films and prob lems encountered with trade shows. It was the sense of the group that a request should not be made to the S.P.I. for three materials manufacturers representatives to be on their show committee. Comment was made that they have always had more than this number on their working group, and it was the responsibility of the indi vidual companies to see that their representatives reflect their policies. (Note: The 6th National Plastics Exposition Committee had 33 members, 19 of which were materials company representatives. However, the decision to have the next show, the time, and its location may be made by their Board; the present Board has three materials manufacturers representatives in a total membership of 21.) CMA 078191 Plastics Committee Meeting September 30, 95^ Page 3 Industry Problems (continued) It was concluded that a task committee should be asked to study and make proposals to the Plastics Committee for utilizing existing communi cations within the M.C.A. membership, to our customers, or to the public to stimulate the use and acceptance of plastic materials. The Chairman indicated that Messrs. H. M. Parsekian of Naugatuck Chemical, and Elmer Schumacher of E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. had some constructive ideas regarding such group action. It was agreed that the Chairman should ap point a committee with these and possibly others to make this study. The Chairman asked each Committee member to send him specific Ideas that he would like to have Included for study by this task committee, and any instructions he felt should be given it in setting forth a charter for their survey. MID-WINTER MEETING PLASTICS GROUP It was agreed that a dinner should be arranged for Monday, November 22, 195^, in conjunction with the Association's Mid-Winter Meeting on November .23. In view of other activities, it was requested this be held at eight o'clock as near as possible to the Union League Club. (Tentative arrange ments have been made at the Vanderbilt Hotel, New York City.) It was the sense of the Committee that a formal program in the way of a serious speech would not be desirable. OYSTER HARBORS OUTING - 1955 The Club could not give us firm reservations for Thursday and Friday following Labor Day in 1955 Accordingly, tentative reservations have been made for Monday and Tuesday, September 12 and 13, which correspond to the 195^ dates. It was agreed that Prof. Alex Bavelas of Massachusetts Institute of Technology should be contacted to find out if he could present a talk on Internal Communications. CUSTOMS LABORATORY VINYL SHEETING > Committee members were advised of a request made to several materials a manufacturers for technical information on compounding of vinyl sheeting and film, and the desire of some members that M.C.A. correlate these re plies in order to present an over-all industry view. Following extended discussion, it was agreed that interested members would be invited to send their comments to M.C.A. office for correlation, and that the Interested section of the S.P.I. would then be consulted before further contact is made with the Customs Laboratory. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Plastics Committee will be held following a 2:00 P.M. luncheon at the Manhattan Club, November 22, 1954. WHEREUPON, adjournment was taken at 3:3 P.M. , Respectfully submitted, ]'FHC/mw October 7, 1954 F. H. Carman CMA 078192