Document vVQr8yd2eq2Z3nE52M5RE6ae9

MONSANTO SPRINGFIELD-INDIAN ORCHARD PLANT PLANT PRODUCT HISTORY STATEMENT Through'the early nineteen twenties, thirties and early forties when Monsanto first became associated with the Springfield plant (1939), the major worker group in production was involved with the former "Sheet" department (cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate), and' its associated operations. Also in the late thirties and early forties, phenol-formaldehyde resins (Resinox) and polyvinyl butyral (Saflex) polymers manufacture was initiated with a smaller worker group involvement. In the 1940's as the "Sheet" operations were phased out, Lustrex (polystyrene) production was initiated (1943-45) and along with Saflex (polyvinyl butyral) grew in volume and numbers of workers involved into the fifties and sixties. The production of formaldehyde and amino formaldehyde polymers was added in the 1940's. Beginning about 1950, polyvinyl chloride products were manufactured until phased out in the early nineteen seventies. In the 1960's, styrene allyl alcohol products were introduced and various barrier resins were also produced in general purpose equipment at both the pilot and main plants. Although plant records are fragmented for the early years, from interviews with long-time personnel, some approximate estimates of percentage worker involvements with various departments have been constructed in the following figure. It is clear that on a statistical basis, plant workers with service prior to and including the 1930's and 40's will be significantly (40-50%) associated with the former "Sheet" departments and in the 1940's, 50.'s and 60* s increasingly with Saflex, Lustrex and then to lesser extent with Resinox, Resimenes, Vuepak J RSV0027225 MONSANTO SPRINGFIELD PLANT APPROX. PERCENTAGE OF PLANT WORK FORCE WITH TIME *Department Sheet Resinox Resimenes Saflex Vuepak Lustrex PVC **Plant Wide 1935-40 50*40% 5^10 a 10-15 0 0 0 30 1945 20 15 0 25 10 5 0 v 25 1955 0 10 5 20 10 20 10 30 1965 0 7 8 15 0 20 20 30 1975 0 '5 5 15 0 25 5 40 *Legend Sheet-cellulose nitrate cellulose acetate Resinox-phenol -formaldehyde Resimenes-melamine --formaldehyde Saflex-polyvinyl butyral Vuepak-cellulose acetate film Lustrex-polystyrene PVC-polyvinyl chloride **Plant wide includes: Maintenance Guards Yard Shipping Others RSV0027226