Document YDEEdD3xzVQ9qbEpvvDD7Nbx8

required date from the companies themselves rather than doing its own testing, and that provisions to monitor the safety of the protein after commer cial startup were scanty. Analysis of the n-paraffins proponed for use showed a content, of less than 1 ppb each of polycyclic aromat ics (such as 3,4-benro- Byrenc) that are known carcinogens. ut the opposition wasn't convinced that safety front long-term accumula, lion of such impurities had been dem onstrated. The four-year single-cell protein evaluation project that began last spring commits five institutes within the Ministry of Agriculture to working out criteria and methods to monitor the safety of feedstuff* using the pro tein. "No country,*' point* out I)r. Kiyoaki Katoh of the ministry's National rood Research Institute, "has yet fully developed such a monitoring system. On the administrative side, he adds, the ministry is drawing up legislative amendments giving it. stronger powers to inspect feods arid feed additives and the ability to halt production if re quired. By 1978, it's clear, the govern ment hopes to restore Japanese public confidence in the value and safety of Utc protein through more comprehen sive regulations and, not least, by visi bly assuming rcsjwnsibility in this ares. Kvon so, the consensus is that single-cell protein animal feeds made from n-paraffins are out of the question for now in Japan, and the leading firms in development of the protein aren't even considering using it in products for human consumption in the near term. Methanol and ethanol don't suffer from the image of contamination that oil and paraffins boar in the minds of some Japanese. But there are technical reasons as well for the present concen tration of development effort on such substrates. "n-Faraffins were really first -leneratton substrates," says microbiologist Yasuo Kurimura, who is senior coordinator of Mitsui Toaltu Chemicals' research and planning de partment. 'interest in Japan started shifting shout five years ago to shortchain compounds like methanol and elhsnol." Among their technical at tractions were miaclbility with water and because of their oxygen contentsmaller oxygen consumption and heat relcaar during fermentation. Mitsui Toatsu began work more than a year ago with both methanol and ethanol as substrates for yeast growth. Like Mi tsubishi Petrochemical, the firm started with a search for high-tcmpcralure yeasts. "We've got ' good 37* C train," notes Kurimura. Mitsui Toa tsu hasn't reached pilot plant stage but can produce kilogram quantities of ysaM for test ing. Porlmps farthest along in pilot-scale work in Japan is Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., which completed a 500 melric-ton-a-ycnr unit in July. Metha nol is the substrate, and bacteria, rath er then yeast, the product. Yields so far of dry cell mass are about 48%, based on methanol consumed. Minimum economic siise of a com mercial single-cell protein plant, aay development managers, is about 100,000 metric tone a year, liter* seems to be plenty of room in Japan's potential market. Japanese output of servers from the Council of Europe, the Economic Commission for F.uni}*, the UN Environment Program, the Euro pean Free Trade Association, and from ike OECD secretariat. The concept of the polluter paying isn't new. Indeod, it was generally agreed to at an OECD council meeting two years ago which member govern formulated feeds last year, Kurimura poinU out, was 18 million metric tons, of which about 90% was imported ma men! ministers attended. It has im portant implications for international trade and investment. Distortions terial, such as corn and milo. For nu could arise If some governments pro tritional balance, single-cell protein vide grant* to industrial operations content of animal feeds is limited to 6 toward cleaning up their pollutants or 10%. Thus potential Japanese de while other governments do not, since mand is almost 1 million metric tons of the principle hinges on the cost of pol the protein now, and Kurimura expects lutlon control measures being reflected to double by 1985. in the ultimate cost of goods or ser Michael K McAbee, C&fiN Tokyo vices. Attendees at last month's Paris lECD weigl meeting agreed that OECD countries will continue to work closely together pollution prol in striving for uniform obaervance of the polluter pays principle. They also recommended adoption of more slrin International economic aspects of envi gent standards to limit the occurrence ronmental pollution control was the and scope of state aid to polluting op theme of a two-day meeting in Paris erations. last month attended by ministers and 'The subject of transfrentier pollution key officials responsible for environ took the longest time to thrash out be mental matters in the 24 member cause, as Brundlland points out, it en countries of th* Organisation for Eco tails some conflict with the principle of nomic Cooperation A Development. national sovereignly. Ten action proposals that will now go The conferees didn't discuss specific before the individual governments for existing incidences of transfronl ier pol adoption were agreed to. lulion. such as the problems faced by The proposals center on the "pollut countries served by the Rhine River or er pays" principle, transfrontier pollu the increasing acidification of Scsndi tion, measures required for further air. navisn waterways that, some experts pollution control, strategies for the contend, is a direct consequence of sul control of specific water pollutants, fur-laden particles' being swept by water eutrophication control, environ winds northward from the industrial mental effects of chemicals, energy and centers of Europe. Nevertheless, they the environment, Analysis of the envi maintain that the principles agreed to ronmental consequences of significant should help develop harmonious envi public and private projects, noise pre ronmental policies with a view to ulti vention ana abatement, and traffic mately waving such transfrentier pollu limitation and low-cost improvement tlon problems. Countries are encour of the urban environment. aged to enter into bi- and multilateral Norway's environment minister, Dr. abatement agreements and to jointly Gro Harlem Brundlland, who chaired set up monitoring networks the meeting, points out that the fact "Good neighborlineae" and a fair that the conference took place at all is balance of rights and obligat ion* significant "at a time when some peo among the countries concerned are si ple felt that we should stop worrying the heart of the nine-point recom about the environment because of the mended code of conduct drawn up. For immediate energy situation." Environ example, countries are urged to refrain mental problems "will continue to be a from embarking on projects that might major challenge to governments for the create significant risk of transfrontier foreseeable future, calling for coordi pollution before first providing infor- nated national policies and concerted international actions," the says. Brundtl$n<J: coord/nafedpoffcJt$ needed More than 200 delegates attended the conference. These represented the 24 OECD member countries-Austra lia, Ausiria, Belgium, Canada, Den mark, Finland, France, West Germany, Grecoe, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the U.K., and the U.S. In addition, dele gatee came from Yugoslavia, an affili ate member, and from the European Economic Community, as well as ob 12 CAEN Dec. 9. 1974 MCNS 069555 nation at an early date to other eoonomic growth rates by a good margin. countries likely to be affected. Too, Equally important, in his view, the in LraiMvTrentier pollution levels shouldn't dustry should be able to obtain adequate exceed those deemed acceptable within supplies of fuel and feedstocks, "look the country where the pollution origi ing ahead, we think that the industry is nates. And under an "equal right of in for some good years, although wc may hearing" principle, a mechanism toe a pause in tales growth in 1975," be should be set up that would allow predicts. thosr effected by trensfronlier pollu Speaking at a Brussels, Belgium, tion to avail thomeclves of the pollut meeting of Esaochem Europe's top man ing country'* judicial or administrative agers, Swan pointed out that his com procedures to the same extent as those pany is backing this spirit of confidence living in that country. with a commitment of more than $300 A recommendation that directly con million for new plants in Western cerns the chemical industry centers on Europe. The outlay ranks among the Swan: some good yaan ahaad the desirability of establishing the po biggest single investment decisions tential environmental effects of exist Exxon Chemical has taken at any one company also backed away from syn ing products and of those that haven't time over the past GO years or so. Most of thetic fibers, which, according to Swan, yet come on the market. Japan, Swe the capital will go toward expanding "would have called for about half a den, and Switscriand already have in Easochem's naphtha-cracking operation billion dollars to be plowed into the troduced legislation requiring premark at Cologne, West Germany, from ite basics before we got going." All told, et testing of chemicals. And moat current annual ethylene capacity of Exxon Chemical has divested itself of OECD member states demand safety 120.000 metric tons to 450,000 metric some $500 million of regional invest assessment* on pharmaceuticals, food tons and for building a 220,000 metric- ments during the past six years or so, additives, pesticides, and the like. ton-per-year low-density polyethylene leaving it with total net assets of $1.3 That international accord on the limi plant at Moerhout-Vorst, Belgium. billion at the end of last year. tation of use of hazardous chemicals is Ted Inncs, Esaochem Europe's presi Swan attributes the easing in petro possible goos back to February of last dent, notes that "completion of these chemical tales growth exacted in the year, when the OECD countries agreed two projects [by the end of 1976) will not immediate future to customers' cutting to control production and trade of only strengthen our position as a major bsrk on their inventories. "The high O polychlorinated biphenyls because of European olefins producer, but should financial cost of carrying inventories is a . their toxic and teratogenic effect*. also enable us to become an increasingly consideration," he points out. More im The OKC1) environment committee significant factor in the European portant is customers' lessening concern would like to ace more agreement and plaatics market." Other projects include that shortages of raw materials will in collaltoraUon among member countries a 50% expansion of the company's terrupl their operations. on chemical assessment programs. methyl ethyl ketone plant at Fawley, Although he admits that "in Ihr near "Clearly, mutual acceptance between England, which now can produce about term we are likely to sec some over member countries of the results of na 40.000 metric tons a year, and a 100,000 supply develop in the U.S. and Europe tional aaaeaaments would ensure propor metric-ton-per-year solvents plant at In some product areas, capacity utiliza control without unnecessary impedi Trecate, near Milan, Italy. lion will average out at very high rates ments to trade and industrial develop With the biggest chunk (44%) of its over the next five years. Our studies in ment in the countries directly in business in Western Europe, Swan ex many different markets supi>orl this volved, or proliferation of hazardous pects Exxon Chemical "will rank among conclusion " Indeed, if his reading of the products into other countries," the the top 15 worldwide chemical com situation is right, a severe olefins short committee report slates. Such mutual panies in sales this year and probably age is developing. "The Kuropcnn acceptance also would facilitate inter among the top 10 in profits." The com ethylene market may be about six steam national exchange of data, thereby pany alreadv is among the two or three crackers short bv 1980," he says, "even contributing to economic efficiency. largest producers anywhere of olefins, after adding the 10 new ones now The committee admits that putting specialty rubbers, additives, and sol planned." In the next five years, he fore large numbers of chemicals through a vents, he notes, as well as an important sees an annual need for six 450,000 variety of tests as an additional pnase supplier of aromatics, nitrogen fertili metric-ton-per-year (of ethylene) naph in the regular market development sers, vinyl intermediatsa, ana polyolefin the crackers worldwide, three in process would place additional de resins. Western Europe, two in the U.S., and mands on technical as well as financial During the first nine months this year one elsewhere. "We have alwsys tended resources, "it is important that full- revenue from Exxon's worldwide chemi to underestimate the rate of growth in cate testing be applied selectively," cal operations totaled $2.4 billion. This the plastics industry," he adds. "Today, the rejrort continues. compares with revenues of $1.8 billion it is growing more rapidly than was esti Vermot A. &Sullivan, CAEN London during the whole of 1973, when earnings mated five years ago." of $202 million represented a 14.2% As for the likelihood of the oil produc return on total assets. Swan contends, ing count ries in the Middle East becom Exxon high on chemicals outlook though, that the figure now should be "about 17% because of the higher costs all round." In terms of tonnage output, this year will show an B% improvement ing producers of basic petrochemicals, Bwan admits that eventually there will be a number of chemical operations there, but he does not foresee this as a Despite the general downward trend of ever lest year, which in turn was up 13% significant development for a derail*- or most economic indicators, Exxon Chem from 1972. so. 'There are some built -in negai ives," ical president Donald 0. Swan is bullish But things haven't always been he point* out. For one thing, the techni about the Nature of his company and of smooth sailing for Exxon Chemical. cal difficulties of building and operat mg the petrochemical industry generally. "We made tome horrible mistakes," sophisticated plants there "arc tre His attitude stems from three interlink Swan admits. A variety of factors mendous." For another, the Middle ing premises. Technological advantages prompted management's decision to get Eaat is a long way from large markets make most petrochemical products out of the fertilizer business, although Besides, he maintains, growth of the "quite resistant" to general economic the company is still a major producer of world chemical industry will be such slowdowns, he maintains, and resilient ammonia and related nitrogen products, that mideastern developments to price rises. Growth in demand for with plants in Canada, Greece, Malay shouldn't have any significant impart petrochemicals, too, will exceed overall sia, the Netherlands, and Pakistan. The for at least lOycartt. HONS 069556 Dec. 9. 1974 CSF N 13 Government Energy council grapples wllh R&D prlorliies Industry, university, end federal agen cy people worried about how well cncr- Ef RAD will fare in next year'* federal udget got an inkling - but not much advice - but got little -on anticipated EKDA management issues, such as to what extent ERDA should build up in house technical capability whore rela policy (before there can be a] sensible approach to problem* of KAI> sin'im! inf." Others warned of an "impending disaster" and that not to concentrate more out of what may have been the tively little now exists, the appropriate on short-term fuels is ">rres|on*tble " final meeting of the government's En government management role in coop Several members urged that "fusion ergy RAD Adviaory Council last erative RAI) projects with industry, not be overfed" with federal money be month. In abort, the council urged a and the extent to which National Aero cause too high a funding level "may continued push and increased funding nautics A Space Administration and delay it by overcommitting to hard of all energy HAD progrants supported Department of Defense project man ware." Still others urged more effort on by tlic federal government, but it ap agement tools can be used on anergy conservation and on upgrading tech peared to endorse a more cautious pace RAD projects. nology for improving oil and gas pro for the liquid-metal fast-breeder reac McCormack also noted that patent duction from existing wells. tor and laser fusion programs. Overall provisions, particularly those dealing How much useful information the federal funding for energy HAD has in with mandatory and background li OMR people got out of the council creased from 1909 million in fiscal year censing requirements, seem to be the meeting that will be of help in deciding 1074 to |2.04 billion in fiscal 1976. biggest hangup to a conference com federal RAD priorities and funding lev On the agenda for the day long mittee in resolving the differences be als or whether the council will ever mooting, which was well attended by tween nonnuclear energy RAD bills meet again is fsr from dear. NSK di press, public, and lobbyiats, were a re port by a fission energy working group and discussion* on setting up the new Biased by the Senate (S. 1283) and the ouse (HR. 13665). And there was more than a little rector, Presidential science adviser, and council chairman H. Guyfimi Stcver had opened the meeting with Energy Research A Development Ad grousing among council members the caveat that the session be looked ministration, energy HAD priorities, about the current etate of affairs in the upon as "a last meeting" pending some and a solar energy resolution. federal energy establishment. One further direction from the White House HAD priorities got the most stten- committee member complained, with now that KKDA is being ert up. "We tion. After all, in a letter to oouncil nodding approval from aeveral others, have done our part," SteVer said membors, Dr. Paul P. Craig, deputy about the "need for scenario* of anergy director of the National Science Foun Fred //. Ztrkcl, CSKN Washington dation's Office of Energy RAD Policy, EPA's Office of R&D criticized againnoted that the mooting "will be the only opportunity the council will have to aid in the establishment of fiscal The Environmental Protection Agen A final report prepared by the sub 1976 anergy RAD priorities." How well cy's Office Of Research A Development committee staff finds that the "domi the council capitalised on that oppor is again on the firing line. Sharply crit nant themes in the conduct of HAD in tunity is debatable, but at least the icised in a National Research Council EPA is highly centralised headquarters Important people at the White House report .early this fall for serious defi control ana a complex and burdensome Office of Management and Budget re- ciencies in its management procedures, planning and reporting system. Specif qmiisible for deciding on funding levels the RAD office now is under attack by ic problem areas identified in the re for energy RAD programs wore there-- the Senate Subcommittee on Environ port include "basic inadequacies in es and taking notes. mental Pollution. The subcommittee tabliehing environmental strategy and In general, the council by a count of recently completed an overview inquiry research priorities to meet legislative hand* came out in favor of a atrong into the offios's staffing and organisa mandates, a highly centralised and RAD effort on conservation, oil, gas, tion, end the effectiveness of its plan overly complex research planning and shale, coal, environmental control, fia- ning procedures. management system, [too] large a aion, fusion, and solar anergy. General ly, the ides is that anergy programs ought u> be limited more by manpower and technological development rather than by money. Specific recommenda tion* included a "greater effort" on coal, particularly mining technology, more research on the safety and envi ronmental efforts of nuclear power re aders, and an "orderly unfrenr.ied pro gram" for fusion. Further, although many council members didn't seem at all happy with either the pace of devel opment or the sharply escalating costs of the LMKBK, they generally agreod that it should be continued. Last year the oommlttec had backed the LMFHK. William T. McCormack and J. A Walker from OMH sought the council's 14 CAEN Dac. 9. 1974 SONS 069557 headquarter* tUff to operate planning and management systems, instanoos of low morale among key field scientific staff, and administrative activities that duplicate ageneywide ... functions." The central problem, the report says, is a "distortion of the original line au thority and the original staff authority in the RAD office. The present man agement system "has been designed to expand {noadouartera] control from just the ovorvignl function to also gain access to the day-to-day operational level in the field." As e result, the re port finds, there is an "exaggerated overconlrol by headquarter* of field re search"} delegation of authority to the field is "minimal and mostly cosmetic." This close headquarter control en courages an elaborate paperwork sys tem "designed to maintain headquar ters awareness of RAD needs, progress, problems, and dale." According to the reixirt, this system "generates several thousand documents each year that consumr vital HAD office expertise to originate, to review, to respond to, and to maintain an historical file." As a re sult., the report estimates that paper work, aside from that needed for pro ductive planning, consumes about 26% of field RAD staff time. Aside from deficiencies in the RAD office's management system, several other factors are of concern to the sub committee staff. One is the long-term trend in RFA funding of the office, lire rejKirt notes that although total fund ing has held at a oonstant range, the portion devoted to technological devel opment has boon constantly decrees- in*. The report questions whether BPA wilt be able to meet its legislative mandates, which require a scientific and technological data base, if this trend continues. Another area of con cern is resignations and shortages in scientific manpower in the field labora tories. This has resulted, the report ays, in appointments of nonecientific personnel to some positions, and less qualified personnel toothers. . The report concludes with several recommendations for possible RAD of fice action- that the planning system and headquarters staff be simplified; that plans be oriented toward meeting legislative mandates; that reorganisa tion to a minimum staff in headquar ters and a maximum staff, in the field be carried out ; and that unnecessarily duplicative program! be terminated. Although an BPA spokesman says that the RAD office recognises its problems and is trying to correct them, reorganisation efforts have been hin dered by lack of direction. The office of KPA assistant administrator for RAD has been vacant since last May when Dr. Stanley M. Greenfield resigned. However, this situation may soon be remedied. On Nov. 27 President Ford nominated Dr. Wilson K. Talley to fill the post. Talley, a physicist, is cur rently study director oj the Commis sion on Crlt irsl Choices for Americans. 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Box MB, Allentown, Pennsylvania 1S108 Pleaaa tend the 113-page Specialty Gases and Equipment Catalog Hating the Industry's leading selection ol specialty gases, gas mixtures, and gas handling equipment... available nationally from convenient stock points and 74 district offices. Name/Title................. ............................ Company......... ............ ............... . Address.. ... ................................. City/State.......................................... .. ... . ________________ Zip. Total Capability and Product Integrity HONS 069558 Dec 9, 19?4 CAEN 15