Document jNkjM1Jbj5Dq73xM6gRG0nMap

APR 3 ^75 Organics and Polymers Division April 23, 1975 2&<Z. ir t Dear Customer: ^ There are exciting new developments at Tenneco. Vinyl Chloride Monomer content in our_PVC raa-lna has been dramatically reduced. Effective immedi ately, Tenneco will ship the following grades of its PVC resins under new specifications with a maximum monomer content as shown: Homopolymer Resins VCM Content Typical 200-2, 225, 250, 250-3 10 ppm max. 3-5 ppm Dispersion Resins 0565, 1716, 1730, 1732 1742, 1750, 1757 10 ppm max. (1-5 ppm Blending Resin 501 10 ppm max. 3-5 ppm This represents monomer removal of at least 98% from resins previously shipped in the industry. The new specifications are the result of a concentrated technical effort undertaken last year when the monomer problem first appeared. Our efforts will continue, and confirm our dedication to eliminate the VCM problem at the fabricator and consumer levels.. We believe these actions will enable the continued growth and viability of the PVC industry. These results are derived from our $50+MM capital commitment to a new plant and OSHA and hra com- pliance programs'! --------------------- ------------------------------ *----------------- While our ultimate goal is to furnish all grades of resin at a monomer content of less than 1 ppm, we believe that these new specifications represent a major technological advance and will establish an industry trend. We are enclosing a news release for your further information. WE'RE AT 10 AND COUNTING DOWN! Sincerely, JF:pok Enel. J. Vice-President GENC 21057 ) \lews I Pelease TENNECO. Tenneco Chemicals A Tenneco Company Park 80 Plaza West-1 Saddle Brook, N. J 07662 201-646-3800 NEW YORK, April 23 -- Tenneco Chemicals today announced that it is now able to remove over 98 per cent of the previously contained residual vinyl chloride monomer from the PVC resins which it produces at its plants in Texas and New Jersey. Effective immediately, twelve of its PVC grades will be shipped with a maximum monomer content of 10 parts per million (in the resin), compared with 50 times that figure, which has been typical industry practice. Tenneco Chemicals is believed to be the first PVC producer to announce I the voluntary achievement of these new low vinyl chloride levels in a broad raive of resins, according to its president, Raymond H. Marks. "Tho'..e new resins will make it easier for fabricators to operate their plants safely below the OSHA action levels. This means that vinyl chloride in their work areas is 0. 5 part per million of less, " Mr. Marks declared. "Our ultimate goal is commercial production of PVC resins with no detectable amounts of vinyl chloride monomer. This reflects our corporate commitment to the growth of the vinyl industry, and to the elimination of health problems that might be associated with vinyl chloride monomer in the fabrication of PVC by our customers and its use by the consumer. " Achievement of these new specifications was attributed to the company's $50 million capital commitment for a new plant at Pasadena, Texas, and for improvements made to existing facilities at Flemington and Burlington, New Jersey. (more) GENC 21050 2- - He and other Tenneco Chemicals officials spoke here today at a press conference held to announce the results of this major monomer removal program. The announcement was made in advance of the official dedication on Friday of the industry's newest FVC plant at the company's Pasadena, Texas, location. It was termed "the single largest most completely auto mated vinyl plant in the U.S. " With a capacity in excess of 250 million pounds annually, it doubles the company's PVC resin output. Tenneco Chemicals produces a broad line of PVC resins at its three plants and currently ranks among the top five U.S. producers. With the modification of the Flemington, New Jersey, plant, it is now the largest producer of vinyl acetate-chloride copolymers. In addition, Tenneco Chemicals manufactures vinyl compounds, plasticizers, stabilizers and processing aids, making the company the supplier of the broadest product line in the vinyl in dustry. The company also fabricates PVC into flexible and rigid sheet and film in plants in New Jersey and Massachusetts. The operations of Tenneco Chemicals constitute one of the six major businesses of Tenneco Inc., a Houston-based firm which is also engaged in manufacturing, natural gas pipelines, oil, packaging and agriculture/land development operations. ### GENC 21059