Document LJ6KLZxVJkLvnx10eM6K6Bvd

auutfON Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc. (FOUNDED UTS) 1825 Connecticut Avenue, N. W. Washington 9, D. C. MINUTES OF MEETING -- PLASTICS COMMITTEE Manhattan Club, New York City February 3, 1959 PRESENT: Messrs. R. A. Hoekelman, American Cyanamid Company R. L. Cammann (for T. J. KInsella), Allied Chemical Corp. Bjorn Andersen, Celaneae Corporation of America R. K. Mueller, Monsanto Chemical Company Walter H. Salzenberg, E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc. R. K. Turner, Union Carbide Corporation George Wash, Phillips Chemical Company F. H. Carman, Manufacturing Chemists' Association Guests: Messrs. D. S. Frederick, Rohm & Haas Company James Stranch, Tennessee Eastman Company William Demarest, Manufacturing Chemists' Association The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. Chairman R. A. Hcekelman welcomed Mr. James Stranch, Tennessee Eastman Company ar.d chairman of a special fire test subcommittee, who had been invited to present proposals in behalf of the Plastics in Building Committee . BUILDING PROGRAM Mr. Stranch distributed copies of draft proposal No. 2-357, ?ire Safety Aspects of Plastics in Building Construction", pretared^for the MCA by Southwest Research Institute (SwRl). Copy attached for members not present. This proposal, together with several brochures covering ;;^vitles of SwRI, their directors, and details of past investi- in flammability problems, had been carefully considered -V fCA member representatives cooperating in the Plastics in Committee. That Committee met January 28, and following J?enda^on for adoption of the program by the fire test sub--rr.lttee (Messrs. James Stranch of Tennessee Eastman, chairman; ;; Cain, Hooker Chemical Company; and W. J. Sauber, Dow) had *ac.mousiy approved this SwRI study and recommended that the Croup go ahead with the program which would require ^rroximately $20,000 over a one-year period. It is understood work may be done in seven man-months' time. i i i CMA 078341 2 In discussion, it was mentioned that SwRI had conducted investigations for United States Rubber Company and Monsanto; the work for the latter was on sandwish panels and had been entirely satisfactory. It was generally agreed that SwRI could do a good job, that their costs were reasonable and the main question before the Plastics Committee was whether or not the chemical manufacturers want to go ahead with it. It was pointed out that the SPI Flberglas Reinforced Panel Council was soliciting material manufacturer memberships at the rate of about $500 per year. The Council would probably conduct a single product study which would not be proper for MCA; the proposed work at SwRI would cover all plastics in building appli cations and over the long term might well develop a comprehensive program on plastics flammability In general uses. The Plastics budget for the current year includes an item of $7500 for flammable testing. Based on estimated twelve months' expenditures there will be a $21,000 surplus at the end of the fiscal year; therefore, money is available to finance the first part of the proposed program, at least. On motion, duly seconded and passed unanimously. It was agreed that the SwRI proposed plan for study of fire safety aspects of plastics in building construc tion should be approved along the lines contained in the draft proposal Including the proposed plan for steering the project. The SwRI brochure containing general Information will be forwarded to all Committee members. PLASTICS COMMITTEE SCOPE The chairman briefly reviewed the decisions reached in the last meeting regarding an expanded scope of the Committee to include synthetic elastomers, and then Invited Dr. D. S. Frederick, chairman of the MCA's Policy Study Committee for any comments he wished to add. The decision of the Plastics Committee had been reported to the Policy Study Committee and there is no further ictlon indicated at this time. Accordingly, this subject was c&tled. PCS SI AN TRADE FAIR BUILDING ,, Mr. Hoekelmen commented on recent discussions with a member the Russian Plastics Team who disclosed plans for a White House fc^tlng February 10, 1959 which, among other things, would prob*"y\con3ider Industry support to the extent of $300-400,000 for -^.struction of a plastics house in the Russian Trade Fair. This 13 being headed up by Mr. H. C. McClellan, former Assist>' ^ecretary of Commerce and Mr. Harold Boeschensteln of Owens- Piberglas Corporation. The original United States appro'ation for the Trade Fair of $5^ million has been committed. CMA 078342 -3- In the January 28 meeting of the Plastics in Building Committee, It was reported the proposed building would be an open shelter of about 25,000 square feet to be made of re inforced plastics panels using an umbre11a-type construction. Those present in a prior discussion concerning this building (about January 27) felt that construction was feasible within the time limits and the main problem would be the financing. Several indicated their organization had received an invitation to the February 10 Washington meeting; MCA, as a group, has not received an invitation. Accordingly, It was agreed that no action was necessary on the part of this Com mittee; however, it was decided that members should keep the Washington Office advised as to their plans to participate, if an invitation Is received, so that there will be a central point where any member can obtain information on the meeting attendance. SPRING OUTING The secretary advised that tentative reservations for the annual spring outing at Baltusrol had been made for April 30 or May 7. On motion, duly seconded, it was agreed that plans should be concluded for this outing to be held on May 7, 1959. TARIFF CLASSIFICATION As a matter of information only at this time, members were advised of the steps being taken by the International Trade 8c Tariff Committee's Classification Subcommittee to have the new schedules for plastics products and materials reflect the orig inal recommendations that waste and scrap, suitable for reuse and competitive as a new plastic material, be classified so that tne duties will be comparable with imports of the same basic material. ?j::CT MEETING The next meeting of the Plastics Committee is scheduled for arch 17, 1959 in the Manhattan Club, New York City. This meeting '-'er. adjourned at 3:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted :ruary 10, 1959 F. H. Carman Messrs. D. S. Frederick James Stranch Marx Leva CMA 078343