Document jBm1wM5mBv917BxoLMarOJrkp

REPORT OF MEETING WITH PRODELEC, PARIS 21st JANUARY 1970 Present for Prodelec G.E.Crepy P. Jay W.F.Smend Askarels Marketing Mgr. Askarels Asst. Research Mgr. Progil (part time) For Monsanto H.N.Dahlstrom D.S.Cameron H.A.Vodden Copies to: . S.Bg^g^ry/^ H H. N yDa tyLart-r om F .Macdoliald PVJ-A.Marsh R.A.Onians - St. Louis Brussels Newport Brussels Brussels W. B.Papageorge J.E.Springgate J.Thevenin H.A.Vodden E.P.Wheeler Louis St. Louis - Brussels - Ruabon - St. Louis CONFIDENTIAL , SUMMARY Initially, Prodelec were even more sceptical and complacent than Bayer about PCB residues in the environment presenting any real problem. They regarded it as a Monsanto problem that would not impinge upon themselves. As with Bayer, nothing had occurred to involve them directly. After our technical/commercial review of the situation they recognized the fuller extent of the problem and the implic ations it will have for all PCB producers. We judge their participation in any co-operative programmes that are developed is now assured. A further meeting with represent atives from Prodelec/Progil, Bayer and Caffaro was provis ionally fixed for February 9th/l0th in Frankfurt. Cont/ DSW 201571 STLCOPCB4059638 2- - DETAIL 1) Prodelec considered themselves less concerned than Monsanto for a variety of reasons - Monsanto is by far the largest producer worldwide, they are principally concerned with electrical applications, their plant is not adjacent to the sea, they have effective disposal methods etc. Nothing further had been done following the E.P.Wheeler/R.E.Keller visit and the promised data on analytical methods had never been received. They have GLC and mass spectograph facilities. 2) We emphasized the need for positive and constructive action prior to any further adverse publicity. Although electrical applications would not seem to present pollution sources, deeper investigation showed that inadvertent spillages/unknown leakages during processing did occur, irrespective of application. We were putting our manufact uring house in order, and would assist all customers to do likewise, e.g. advisory letter to be sent to all U.K. customers during February. Education of all users and authorities could best be done co-operatively by all PCB producers. J. 3) W.F.Smend's fortuitous participation helped bring home to Prodelec the need to give this matter serious attention. As Progil's representative, he is personally involved in an extensive programme with other manufacturers into a pesticide residue problem. It was impossible to restrict these situations to one geographical area. 4) Prodelec operate a reclamation service for transformer askarel (sales of these grades are around four times those of capacitor impregnants), charging customers FF.0.76 per kilo (about 6.2 cents per lb) plus transport. They have deliberately relaxed their specification for recovered material in order to encourage customers to return it, and are receiving back around 200 tons per year. Jay felt PGB's proposals at Tehran meeting for the transformer askarel maintenance guide were conceived in economic terms only with no consideration for the pollution aspects. 5) Not everything returned is recoverable and this can be incinerated for a charge of FF.0.30 per kilo (about 2.5 cents per lb.) which they estimate to be the cost'of incineration." They incinerate with 30% added fuel at temperatures between 1000 and 1200C. The incinerator DSW 201572 STLCOPCB4059639 -3- is Progil's and is not restricted to PCB's. 6) Prodelec is a 50/50 jointly owned subsidiary of Progil and Ugine Kuhlmannwith worldwide responsibility for marketing electrical fluids. They also market plasticizer grades outside France, but sales of these do not exceed 10% of their total. Within France, plasticizer grades are sold by Progil and by Kuhlmam- the actual manufacturers of PCB's. Other applications such as heat transfer and hydraulic fluids would be Progil and Kuhlmarrl s responsibility. 7) We suggested Monsanto should lead the Frankfurt meeting, introducing it with a presentation on the global situation and proposing topics for joint action. 8) One or two points in the specifications discussed at the IEC meeting in Tehran are not acceptable to Prodelec, e.g. certain values measured at 20 C. In (view of the time it takes to progress these matters through national delegations Jay insisted this item be included in the agenda for the Frankfurt meeting. ACTION H.N.D. - Secure Bayer's agreement to dates proposed for Frankfurt meeting. D.S.C./ - Prepare Monsanto's contribution to Frankfurt H.A.V. meeting. H.A.V. - Circulate technical items for Frankfurt agenda. DSC/ec 22.1.70. D.S.Cameron DSW 201573 STLCOPCB4059640