Document zQN8MaLDrOwjVKpgBDXY49rp7

TO: R, E. Lehmkuhl PROM: DATE: R. D. Gamblln April 4* 1985 SUBJECT: PROGRESS REPORT--March 28, 1985 Thru April 2, 1985 ABERDEEN Safety - There was one first aid injury recorded for the reporting period. Resin Unit (A & BC Grade) Production Forecast MM Lbs. - Mar. - Apr* Last 7 Days* M Lbs./C.D* Last 7 Days* X of Budget Current Rate* Z of Budget 1221 104 103 Budget Forecast 3/28/85 Actual 3/31/65 Forecast 4/03/85 36.5 35.8 36.0 35.3 34.0 Vinyl production for the week averaged 1221 M lbs./day. Major downtime for the week Involved cooling jacket weld repair and steam stripping header revisions on 741. We continue to be current on Dlversltech and American Hoechst orders. We are approaching a period where empty hopper car availability will become a problem* Shortages are now predicted beginning next week and we are working with SAT to alleviate the problem. Compound Unit (Customer Grade) Production Last 7 Days* M Lbs./C.D* Last 7 Days* X of Budget 193 126 Forecast MM Lbs* - Mar. - Apr. Budget 4.6 4.6 Forecast 3/28/85 5.6 Actual 3/31/85 5.9 Forecast 4/02/05 5.5 Line I operated 6.5 days averaging 70.4 M lbs./day. The line was down 0.5 days for Banbury seal replacement* Line 111 operated 6.5 days averaging 137.3 M lbs./day. The line was down 0*5 days for modification of the FCM conveyor. There were no major operating problems during the week. The 5*9 MM lbs* produced in March was a two line total production record. Plasticizer Plasticizer operated five days averaging 61 M lbs./day. R-3 is down due to problems with the vacuum system. Pry Blend Unit Last 7 Days* M Lbs./C.D. Last 7 Days* Z of Budget Production 147 Forecast MM Lbs. - Mar. - Apr. Budget Forecast 3/28/85 Actual 3/31/85 Forecast 4/02/85 4*6 4.6 5*1 4.8 5.5 R* E. Lehmkuhl April 4, 1985 Page 2 Dry blend operated seven days averaging 236 M lbs./day* Production Included 80273G and 90172C. There were no operating problems during the week* OKLAHOMA CITY Safety and Environmental - There were no injuries reported during this period. * PRODUCTION Current Last 6 Days Mon t h-To-Date Budget Revised Target Previous Month Year-To-Date (03/29/85) PRODUCTION (5385- 3 PVC Resin) MM LBS M LBS/C .D Z of BUDGET 5.039 1.608 24.000 22.800 25.626 142.703 734 95 840 108 804 104 Operation. - The reactor stream factor was 86Z. Reactor downtime was due primarily to a planned plant shutdown which began last night. The shutdown is being taken to perform some needed maintenance repairs requiring a shutdown. Higher rates before and after the shutdown versus the production plan should minimize sny production loss since the production plan specified less than maximum rates for the first half of April* Carlon transfer during the 6-day reporting period was 0.98 MM lbs. CarIon transfer for Karch totalled 7.82 MM lbs. Month-to-date transfer is 0.19 MM lbs. BALTIMORE Available Alkylates - M Lbs. N-500 N-550L N-600L LMR-5 C-1012 11,528 2,417 1,751 4*108 21,812 Production for Week - M Lbs. N-500 Hydrotropes LMR-5 4,607 217 795 Safety - No injuries were reported during this period. Operations: Alkylate Unit - Operated at 100Z stream factor in reaction and 97X stream factor in fractionation at average rate of 768 M lbs./day of N-500 and 133 lbs./day of LMR-5. ' rr VAB.0001181638 R. E. Lehmkuhl April 4* 1985 Pag* 3 Operation of the Reaction Section van smooth for the reporting period* In the Fractionation Section, the product stream had to be circulated on two occasions for a total of 4 hr a. when It vent off-spec due to minor upsets. A planned 12--day shutdown will begin Sunday, 4/7. Approximately 369 tons of muriatic acid were neutralized: ISO tons ware due to full tanka and the balance was off-spec material* Hydrotrope Unit - Produced 217 M lbs. of STXS* Operations have been very good. Inventories are back up to normal levels. LAKE CHARLES LAB PLANT Safety - There were Injuries or accidents In the plant during the reporting period* Operations - Both the Facol and LAB Fractionation units operated at a 1001 stream factor during the period producing N-6Q0L at a 447 M lb./day rate* Rates are being held at maximum to build inventories for the Hay turnaround. Currently, an eleven-day N-550L run is scheduled for April IS and will be followed by an N--600L run that will last until the shutdown, approximately May 23. HAMMOND Safety - There were no accidents or injuries this past week. OperatIons - The C-640 production run will end mid-PH 4/3/85 and the sulfonator will be converted back to SA--597 production and the neutralizer back to C-560 production* The sulfonator will be shut down AM 4/5/85* Some operating conditions were changed in the C-640 production, apparently resulting in improved quality. Fourteen tanktrucks of all products were shipped this past week. Business has been fair. LAKE CHARLES CHEMICAL PLANT Ethylene Inventory No. 1 Dome No. 2 Dome Alumina Inventory On-Spec Off-Spec MM Pounds 20.280 2.518 MM Pounds 6.795 0.065 * R. E. Lehmkuhl April 4, 1985 Page 4 Normal Paraffin Unit NPE Unit: Production -- Last 6 Days -- Next 8 Days 5.17 MM Lbs. 6.30 MM Lbs. Kerosene: Inventories - C1016 Paraffin - C1012 Paraffin - C1216 Paraffin 17.72 MM Lbs. 13.65 Wf Lbs. 8.45 1 Lbs. Consumption - Refinery - High TNP 11,777 BPD 1,984 BPD Refinery Transfer Rate 7,809 BPD Inventories -- Refinery - High TNP 74,775 BBLS. 27,170 BBLS. The unit ran veil this period at 13 M BPD charge rates. The Splitter ran well this period at 2600 BPD charge rates. The "Magnac hemn is scheduled to lift 38. M bbls. of C1012 paraffin on 4/8. The Solvent Unit resumed production on 4/1 and is currently charging Ethoxylatlon Unit Production 0,92 m Lbs The unit ran well this period. There are no delayed shipments. Alcohol Unit The Alcohol Unit operated well this period at 240 MM lbs./yr. equivalent rates. The old utility tower system is in 1214 split operation ending 4/6, followed by a 1214 LO run. The new utility tower system is in 8 HP operation ending 4/6, followed by a 10 clean-up. Production April Production Forecast April Production To Date April Production Balance Alumina Unit MM Pounds 18.70 i,09 17761 The Alumina Unit operated well this period on a bagger/Filtrol run. Currently, there are 36 full alumina railcars on the lease track. In plant there are 2 full and 9 empty railcars of alumina. .0001181639 1 R. E. Lehmkuhl April 4, 1985 Page 5 Production April Production Forecast April Production To Date April Production Balance Ethylene Unit Production, MM Lbs./Day Ethane, BPD MM Pounds 3.58 .24 3.34 This Week 1.869 20,300 Next Week 1.850 20,100 The Ethylene Unit operated at sax1mm production rates for the week. The production for the month of March was 58.1 MH lbs* The 601 ethylene compressor turbine is operating with no problems. The current dome Inventory is 22.8 MM lbs. The ethylene transfer to Union Carbide has been delayed at their option* Methyl Chloride Unit Production - Last 6 Days - Next 8 Days 0.27 MM Lbs. 0.60 MM Lbs. The unit shut down on 3/30* The projected start-up date is 4/9* There are no delayed shipments. LAKE CHARLES VCH PLANT Safety There were no Injuries reported during this period. Operations - VCM production during the reporting period averaged 2.19 MM lbs /day. Chlorine consumption averaged 677 T/D from the PPG pipeline. At these rates the plant was operating 21 T/D above balance on chlorine. The March production of 67.08 MM lbs* is a new all-time monthly production record for the VCM Plant surpassing the old record of 66.61 MM lbs. set in May, 1977. Also, the 1985 second fiscal quarter production of 187.98 MM lbs* sets a new all-time quarterly production record surpassing the old mark of 186.30 MM lbs. set in the first quarter of 1980. The HEinar T" will said today with approximately 3,150 MT of vinyl for Brazil. VCM inventories are extremely low (4,2 MM lbs.)* The plant is working with S&T to coordinate priorities on railcar shipments to the PVC plants and outside customers. R. D. Gamblin bh Week of 3/28/85 Thru 4/02/85 PRODUCTION SUMMARY (MM Lbs.) ABERDEEN Resin (A&BC) Grade Actual Production 1985 Weekly* Standard Week No. 27 Weekly Average Monthly Cumulative Thru 4/02/85 OKLAHOMA CITY Resin (A&BC Grade) 5.04 5.13 5.40 BALTIMORE N-500 Hydrotropes 4.61 0.22 3.44 0,21 3.74 0.18 1.48 LC-LAB N-550L, N-600L 2.68 2.05 2.55 0.85 HAMMOND Sulfonic Acid C-550, C-560 1412-A LCCP N-ParaffIn Ethoxylates 618 Alcohol Alumina Ethylene Methyl Chloride LC-VCM VCM 0.00 5.17 0.92 4.36 0,74 11.22 0,27 13.12 0.07 5.01 0.70 4.23 0,74 11.73 1.64 12.59 0.02 5.79 0.78 3.64 0,69 9.34 1.58 14.32 0.00 1.65 0.28 1.09 0,24 3.65 0.00 4,37 Weekly Average Production Required to Meet 1985 Profit Objective. THRU 2ND QUARTER 1985 01181640 TO: G. G. Draper FROM: DATE: P. C. Gowan, B. E. A. Larsen April 5, 1985 ion SUBJECT: WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORT, SUPPLY AND TRANSPORTATION Industrial Chemicals April methyl chloride orders total 4.24 MM lbs. MeCl Inventory (Ml lbs) Tanks Railcars Total As of 4/03/85 As of 10/01/84 1.95 .56 .85 2.80 .49 1.05 The MeCl unit shut down on 3/30/85 for Inventory control and plans to start up 4/10/85. Alumina inventory is as follows: Alumina Inventory (MM lbs) As of 4/03/85 As of 10/01/84 Solem 4.190 Hayes .720 Silo .117 Track 6.840 Total 11.867 8.800 The Alumina Plant Is running approximately 120 M lbs/day and has approximately 583 M lbs of available silo space and seven empty cars. Flltrol, Vernon, CA, ordered five railcars of alumina for shipment during April. However, orders have not yet been received from Chevron and Shell. Customer Service will solicit April releases from these customers. GGD 4/05/85 Page 2 Plastics Resin Resin Carryover Dry Blend Compound Terminals TOTAL DOMESTIC POUNDS TOTAL DOMESTIC R/E Orders As Of 4/03/85 22,880 15,418 4,059 4,183 2,280 48,820 46,863 M POUNDS Inventory As Of 4/03/85 Inventory On 10/01/8 8,042 (ABD) 15,816 3,490 (0KC) 1,682 6,557 2,039 2,750 8,790 2,168 21,810 19,069 29,524 25,816 Export Resin Export Dry Blend Export Compound TOTAL EXPORT POUNDS TOTAL EXPORT R/E TOTAL POUNDS TOTAL R/E 33 1,814 83 1,930 1,272 50,750 48,135 271 160 -0- 431 420 22,241 19,489 Railcars at customer sites total 213. This is an increase of eleven cars from last week. Forty-eight percent of the cars are at six customers as compared to 55Z from last week. 4/02 3/28 3/21 3/15 3/0$ Carlon, Aurora 19 23 19 18 13 Carlon, High Springs 21 21 18 17 14 Crane, Columbus 13 13 10 9 10 Can-Tex, Magnolia 5 6 1 7 10 Genova, Rensselaer 27 27 30 31 31 Simpson, Sunnyside 18 21 16 17 15 The following truck orders were cancelled for April due to slow sales: Nlbco -- 2 Alcan -- 6 Essex Group, Holslngton, KS, has requested a truckload of 36431 NAT, after a successful plant trial last month. VAB.0001181641 GGD 4/05/85 Page 5 TRAFFIC SERVICES All transportation Items associated with minimizing the effect of 'the East rail lead outage Into LCCP, caused by Conoco's construction, are complete. These Items Include acquiring storage track, amending rate contracts to allow storage In transit, and the publication of tariff provisions to cover products which are not covered by contracts. Charges associated with the outage are being accumulated for follow-up with Conoco. P. C. Gowan, B. E. A. Larsen PROG85/008/kk / Tor E. A. Vogelfanger lnt*roKk Communication From: Dole: Subject: Data Processing April 4, 1985 PROGRESS REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING APRIL 4 1985 G. L. Peters reports: Final analysis of an in-house computer to replace TSO at EDS has been completed. Results and reconmendatlons will be published next week. Meetings were held with Xerox to determine the feasibility of obtaining a laser printer to replace one of the two impact printers in the Houston Data Center. Models being reviewed are the Xerox 8700 and 2700. A new model 3700 is being announced at the end of this month. Costs at this time appear to be prohibitive, but continued negotiations with Xerox will be made to determine if more favorable rates can be obtained. G. L. Peters /jeb j VAB.0001181643 J. D, Burns from: Dote: Mary Ann Fisher April 3, 1985 Subject: PROGRESS REPORT - LEGAL DEPARTMENT 1* Met with Benefits regarding amendments to Retirement and Savings and Investment Plans required by Retirement Equity Act. 2. Met with Treasury regarding Amendment to Du Pont Guarantee and conveyed comments to Simpson, Thacber. 3. Discussed and reached agreement with Conoco regarding amendment to Supplement to Support Services Agreement covering medical services for RAD. 4. Reviewed and approved surfactants contract with Lonza. R 5. Prepared amendment to the CATAPAL alumina sales agreement with Harshaw/Flltrol, to effect change In the pricing and quailty/price adjustment clauses, 6. Reviewed and discussed with business area a proposed agreement with Cities Service covering ethane storage at Hackberry, Louisiana. 7. Received from Union Carbide's attorney the latest draft of the ethylene to ethylene oxide tolling contract, following extensive telephone negotiations. We appear to be close to agreement. 8. Advised S& T concerning final steps to be taken in connection with the sale for scrap of the Tank Barge 7020, including the Coast Guard's effecting the transfer of title to the scrap yard. 9. Reviewed, discussed with Purchasing, and approved Gas Sales Contract with Pontchartraln Natural Gas System for gas to be delivered through the LGS natural gas pipeline system to meet the minimum annual throughput requirement of the Gas Transportation Agreement. (Vista must have its own gas transported through the LGS System at least once a year during the five-year term, in order to keep the Agreement in effect.) 10. Reviewed statistical data which appears to Indicate that PVC may be being dumped in the U.S. market. Recommended proce dures for gathering further information. J. D, Burns April 3, 1985 Page ? Tt. Negotiated narrow scope for deposition and subpoena tecum which PPI/PSI wishes to take of Vista. duces 12. Discussed the ramifications of allowing outside group to utilize Oklahoma City plant parking lot for Easter Egg Hunt. 13. Reviewed and made suggested changes to contract for waste removal from Lake Charles with B.F.I. 14. Reviewed facts of dispute regarding broken turbine with engineering dept. 15. Responded to urgent boycott questions from Brussels. Advised to remove language from shippers documents before accepting Letter of Credit, Mary Amh Fisher Counsel /ja * TO: D. A, Kuhn FROM: DATE: SUBJ: J. R. Drumwright, M.D, April 4, 1985 PROGRESS REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING 4/4/85 1. Three (3) preplacement exams and one D.O.T. (Recertification) exam were received this week for review and appropriate handling* 2. Conoco Medical has agreed to provide VISTA Medical with copies of medical data for several contractors (OKC) who regularly participate In the multlphasic exam program* I will obtain written releases from each one when Tvm performing the "hand-on" exams at Oklahoma City and forward them to Conoco. 3. M.S.D.S.'s for Molex Raffinate (final draft) and C-640 (draft) were reviewed and comments pertinent to the Health Hazard Information Section were provided to Tom Grumbles. 4. I attended a noon meeting of the Gulf Coast Medical Director's Forum on March 26, 1985* Dr. Marcus Key presented the program which addressed the exchange of occupational health-related information and expertise with the People's Republic of China. In addition to this slide-talk presentation on lung cancer in Chinese tin miners. Dr. Key reviewed future trips planned by occupational physicians to this area. He cautioned all of us to be aware of a potentially significant health problem which has been experienced by a majority of U.S, visitors visiting the People's Republic of China, e.g* upper respiratory disorder with fever, cough, malaise, and other flu-like symptoms. Extensive Investigations by EXXON USA and the University of Texas School of Public Health have not yet determined the etiology. Further study is advised, 5. Susan Smith, R.N. and I visited the Aberdeen Chemical Plant on April 2, 1985 while the HEI van was conducting their multlphasic medical surveillance exams over a 4*j day period. The van was one of their new designs which offers better sound Insulation, improves patient flow, provides backup equipment and on-site computerization of data capabilities. We visited with several employees who had been tested and all were complimentary of HEl's staff on board and offered favorable comments relative to the "new van". Unfortunately, participation by the employees was not significantly improved over previous years as at least 65 declined with several of these refusing to even sign a waiver. As over 30Z of these 65 work In an area where blood tests for lead - In addition to liver function studies, etc. for potential VCM exposure - are "dictated" by federal nrTM H regulations, a significant amount of health data, etc. cannot be obtained. (Even though special arrangements were made for the van personnel to be present early this A.M. to accommodate four 11-7 workers who indicated they would participate, they elected to waive the exams this A.M.) Approximately 65 to 70Z participation rate is now anticipated for the 245 "eligible" employees. On the brighter side, however, a plant tour which was provided to Susan and myself by A1 Sather, presented the most impressive view of this site since I've been visiting there over the past 8 years, "Housekeeping" - in spite of several on--going maintenance and construction projects -- was extremely good. 6. Disability Absence Reports, with supporting Attending Physician Reports for March, have been received and processed for all S&T terminal locations. 7. I participated with other members of the Vinyl Institute Medical Subcommittee, in a conference call on April 1, 1985. The protocol from Southwest Research Institute on the generation of HC1 from burning PVC was reviewed. This proposal Is part of the ongoing program to study the effects of HCI gas on the respiratory system of non-human primates and rodents. 0 Results of pulmonary function tests for three non-human primates previously exposed to various levels of HCI have not uncovered any significant problems at the 3 month interval since exposure. We will arrange for additional studies at the 6, 9, and 12 month period. The committee has scheduled a meeting to review the data, etc. for mid-May in Chicago. 8. Because Medical, Administration and Legal problems relative to the two employees from LCCP who were injured last September have gotten progressively complicated, I plan to be in Lake Charles early next week to meet with several of the attending physicians Involved, as well as plant management, in an attempt to resolve the most significant problems currently existing. CP VAB.00011^1645 I TO: J. R. Bal1 Ufnmt* FROM: DATE: R. A. Klein April 4, 1985 SUBJECT: SURFACTANTS PROGRESS REPORT Performance Summary Shipped Plus Pending Orders (M Lbs.) Alcohol As Of 04/03/85 Budget Reforecast Total Plasticizer Total Other Alcohols - 7,992 2,276 10,742 9,080 8,810 8,322 Alkylates Total Alkylate Equiv. 10,053 23,597 24,409 i EASTERN REGION: Progress Summaries As Of 03/28/85 12,539 7,868 27,189 Current * Reforecast* 91 27 41 DOMTAR, Hi s s issauga. Ontar1o - Ethyl has offered $.05/lb. below our price for "AlfoL" 8ld alcohol and has also offered generous demurrage terms; Oomtar has said that if we do not meet their conditions* they will start buying from Ethyl. He will reply to them telling them that we will meet Ethyl's price face to face* since we want to preserve our high share at this account. REHEIS, Berkeley Heights, NJ - At the request of the Industrial Chemicals Business Area, we have checked into their alumina requirement. Reheis buys in excess of 1MM Ibs/yr. of alumina to manufacture aluminum chloride for use in antacids and antipersplrants; they buy all of their product from domestic sources at about $260 to $270 per ton. This information will be forwarded to the interested people for them to follow up. MIDWEST REGION: CHEMCENTRAL, Houston, TX - Chemcentral-Houston reports they have been asked by Chemcentral-Headquarters (Chicago) to meet with Vista to discuss possible distributor arrangement. Met with Houston Branch Manager on 4/2/85 who stated he will be contacting Chemcentral-Chicago shortly with a report. J. R. Ball Page 2 April 4, 1985 NALCO CHEMICAL* Sugar Land. TX - Nalco reports ALFOL 20+ alcohol requirement for 1985 will Be approximately 1MM lbs, down from 1.6MM lbs in 1984. Lower requirements are due to a downturn in the pour point depressant market. CALTEX PETROLEUM CORPORATION. Irving, TX - Conoco LVT is currently being purchased by Caltex for use in Dubai. Caltex has also stated they would contact their Indonesia and Philippines affiliate to determine their interest in purchasing Vista LPA solvent for use as a drilling fluid. AMWAV CORPORATION, Ada, MI - We were unable to supply 9 tank tJ'uclcs of C-560 slurry this week because of the extended C-640 slurry run at Hammond and short lead time given by Amway Marketing was able to secure 1 tank truck for Friday, April 5 and has requested longer lead times of 2-5 days. R. R. STREET, Oak Brook, IL - is interested in a 700M lb, one-year finite Sales Agreement for SA-597. Marketing is preparing a Sales Agreement. WESTERN REGION: No progress to report this week. R. A. Klein Manager of Marketing Surfactants dkh Q VAB.Q0011 04/04'85 10:07 RD WEST NO.002 002 To: R. A. Klein, Houston J. A. Hall, Houston From: Dofo Subject 0. C. Ksrfoot and R. L. Poe, 1 April 3, 1965 Weekly Progress Report Engineering Research Sections Department - Week Ending March 29, 1965 Research \and StHtFACTANTS rvisw Training wa hald March 28-29 in Ponca 2, Solubility teats of various nonlonlca In LPA aolrant era In progress for aeraenlng taata of thaaa and other blenda aa 3, A aaaple of Liquid CHEER from Japan haa boon received froa VCFE and la currently undergoing analysla. 4. Sulfpnstlott/Snlfatlon Pilot Plant - The second Alfonlc* 810-20 aodiua ether aulfate run failed because of a water leak into the reactor loop. Another run will be aade an soon aa aore ethoxylate is available. 5. C-640 for PAG - Assistance will be provided for a Haaaond production run the week of April 1. 6. A one-gallon aaaple of aonoaer-free Guerbet C-* alcohol was shipped to Nalco Cheaical Goapany for evaluation aa a pour point depressant for crude oil. Prellalnary speculative econoaica indicate that Guerbet C_ alcohol could be produced (via toll processing) for under $1 per pound. 7. Pinal preparations for startup of the kerosene hydrotreater pilot plant were completed. Startup is expected on April 1. 8. An oil-soluble overbased calcium octonate catalyst froa Mooney Cheaical gave an excellent ethoxyletion rata for 1412 alcohol. No ethoxylate distribution data is available. 9. Alcohol hydrogenation ges and liquid flows have been modeled in a see-through unit. The results led to nodiflestions in hydrogen and alcohol flow rates for trickle bed vs upflov bed testing. 10:08 R&D WEST NO.002 003 Weekly Progress Report - CRS/ERS April 3* 1965 Page 2 10. A Henkel patent claims high (60-80X active). Concentrations of MES (methyl eater sulfonate) can be prepared using about 101 of a branchad alcohol athoxylata aa a vlacoalty nodiflar. A similar affact la claimed for LAS slurries and ethoxylate. 11. The LMR-55L* 70% bottoms sample derived from DEH-7 catalyst (LC No. 55L-48) oparatlon waa olaun sulfonated to dstsmine oil-soluble sulfonate yield. Preliminary data Indicata that yield is low (0.86 RS0-/# alkylata) comparod to opacification yield (0.90 min.) or typical LMR-55L* yield (approximately 0.95). Sulfonate color and vlacoalty of the Na sulfonate art probably ok. INDUSTRIAL CHBCCALS 1. Phosgene impurities In Olln HC1 should not bo a problem in oxychlorlnatlon. Any phosgene in SDC product should bo destroyed by a caustic wash. After crocking of EDC, the VCM is again treated with caustic. 2. Dr. Gary L. Massing of Psnn State consulted on the use of Cetspel alumina In ceramics. A high-temperature DTA analysis capability is needed to pursue "low" temperature transitions to alpha alumina. 3. - On March 25t 1985, wa visited with 3M to discuss required alumina propartias and teat methods. 3M believes that dispersibility and dispersion particle else are the key properties but are not sure. They have no established dispersion teat method. 4. Ceramics - On March 29, 1985, Dr* G. L. Messing of Penn State came on a consulting visit. His recently published seeding technique offers the first route discovered which allows e boehmite alumina to transform to e small grain sized (rather than vermicular) alpha alumina. The use of Catapal* alumina in ceramics will occur only after the Industry becomes familiar with this technique. The end product, however, has sevsral advantages over convention ally processed alpha aluminas. - ._ 0. C. Kerfoot Id GC: VRC MFC WAD KDF JOG CAM LBH RTJ JJL BEL DJL KLM TPM AMN ME0 DTP SJR MLS RCS DLS WLS CMS DRV DLV JBV ! to: from: E. C. Segundo Eduardo Ortega date: subject: April 4, 1985 PROGRESS REPORT - LATIN AMERICA Week Ending April 4, 1985 INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS Braslvll - On 4/3/85 mb shipped 3149 MT of VCM to this customer. Ms are now In the midst of the negotiations for.the late May shipment. European pricing Is uncertain as C2H4 pricing has not been decided. I convinced customer to wait until mid April so we have more tin* to put together a reasonable offer. CPC - Me have been advised by VCE that the original lot of 3000 MT available In Spain Is back In the market for late April lifting. We are smiting for a firm offer from VCE to approach customer again. Sal game - We received a firm offer to sell 3000*5000 MT of EDC to Yugoslavia, however, customer has not decided yet. Offer expired yesterday. Mexico Pamex * We have determined total isports of 1000 MT/year of Kaiser 201 type Alunina for Pamex. Wa will follow up for approvals. IMP * tng. Moreno (Head Catalyst Division) contacted us to set ip meeting In Houston to discuss short term purchases of Alunina for the catalyst projet. He will be In Houston during the week of 4/22/85. Tranaoulmlca * Order placed by customer for a tank car of Methyl Chloride has been rejected by Treasury. Due to logistics problems In Mexico, we do not have other accounts we can supply In Mexico. SURFACTANTS Argentina Henkel - Customer has placed the 200 MT order for Alfal 1214GC on hold pending outcome of latest government regulations In Argentina. PROGRESS REPORT - Page 2 March 29, 1985 Brazil Drew * Custonsr has placed another 250 MT order for Alfol 1214GC for shipment late April-early May. He also placed an order for 100 MT Alfonlc 1214GC-30 subject to I/L aproval. Mexico Plastlclor has accepted our price for n-C1416 paraffins and Is reviewing hts shipping schedule to see when he can take the first tank car. PLASTICS Honduras Novatec 550 MT of 80273G Dryblend have left New Orleans. Another 450 MT will leave In the next two weeks. Dominican Republic Sonaca - Customer has accepted 15 containers of 802736 Dryblend (300 MT) for shipment May and June. Ml seel laneous Slmaoulmlca - Venezuela purchased 300 MT of general purpose resin from B.F. Goodrich at $0.26/lb FAS New Orleans In bulk. We turned down this business. Reportedly, OXY has 11.0 MM lbs. of resin available for the export market "at competitive prices". This material was offered to us through a broker. * Eduardo Ortega E0:hh Ji 01181648 41! 40 C*) 18:19 FACSIMILE TXAMMISSIOW UISTA CHEMICAL FAR EAST INC. PAGE 1 ^ cci H. H. tone - VCC Houston M. J, Schneider - VCF1 Tokyo X. lUttuurt - VCPB Tokyo April 4. 1915 (Xaf. *o.S5073l) WCII hoirtw Eaoort - Weok Endin April 3. 1W5 X) Marketint Mot with Sonkoa Kako, one of too 610-adipate producers to discuss potential for supply of ALfOL 410 (46,5-491 C6-0H) elcokol. Ethyl currently supplies appro*. 2000 MI EFAL 410. Another producer is Kyowe Eahke. coueunlng 1900 MT/yr. Coodea ALfOL 410. Both coupsoles enjoy nonopoly of 610-adipate business in feed-contact application. Their adipate selllog price ia sane. Sunken cenplains of higher C I f price of IFAL 410 than Condos 610 (currently 10-1SX higher), lyeuu is currently not able- to purchase snimgh nolens of 610*4X1 to neat their requimeant duo to supply shortage fns Condea. Asking CPE not to noth with other potential 610-adipate producer. Sankae will discuss with Kyoun the poseihlllty of joint purchase of VISTA ALfOL 610. Seuken will order 500 Iff hulk in nid June, possibly to Ethyl. Visited Western Japan Trading Co., China Trader to gather infotnatloa shout Chinese Market Study by X. L. Hatheson. Will' contact several other trading ccnpanies neat week. ID 9 A T Nothing new to report. Kngards, V X. Matsuurs VOTE Tokyo EM/ea i J 0001181649 *r i TO: J. R. Bal1 FROM: DATE: SUBJECT J. A. Hall April 4, 1985 PROGRESS REPORT - INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS As of April 4, domestic sales of key Industrial Chemicals for April are as follows: SALES VOLUME (H Lbs,) Shipped Shipped + Pending Budget A1 umi na VCM Methyl Chloride 0 0 1,275 1,080 3,800 OSB 3,720 tm PROGRESS SUMMARIES EASTERN REGION CERTAINTEEO, Valley Forge, PA - (VCM) - Our March transfer of 2MM 1 bs. wTTT move this weekend. Timing was altered per Vista's request. m ALLIED CHEMICAL COMPANY, Solvay, NY - (Alumina) - Allied has several locations which could purchase milk quantities of "CATAPAL" Alumina. Allied Is looking for $180/ton delivered pricing. With Vista's assurance that this Is acceptable pricing. Allied will begin plant trials. STAUFFER CHEMICAL COMPANY Westport, CT - (Alumina) - Stauffer wi 11 pay $.177/lb. FOB Bauxite, AR Tor truckloads of bagged "CATAPAL" Alumina at their Bastrop, LA alum plant. We are setting up a trial at the Bastrop plant. Qualification of "CATAPAL" in monoalumina phosphate and sodium alumina phosphate is in progress. These applications could also use "CATAPAL" Alumina at the $.177/lb. FOB pricing. MIDWEST REGION FUJIMI, Elmhurst, IL - Alumina - Sam Hines, President, reports Fujlml has made the decision to build a plant in the U.S. for the manufacture of polishing compound. Mr. Hines has requested a preliminary price quote from Vista competitive to that offered to the Japanese plant of $1.40/ki1ogram delivered ($0.63/lb). The timing of the plant start up will be approximately one year from the time the location is decided. A. c, SPARKPLUG, Flint, MI - Alumina - has begun a research project on structural ceramics and is Interested in working with J. R. Ball April 4, 1985 Page 2 > CATAPAL for this application. scheduled for late April. A technical meeting is beinq SOUTHWESTERN REGION TEXAS PETROCHEMICALS CORPORATION, Houston. TX, (Butadiene) - Butadiene price tor April remains at 304. They foresee the potential for a weaker market In refined butadiene in the months ahead. However, crude prices should remain stable. QE0.B6IA GULF, Houston, TX (Propylene) - Propylene for April remains at 14.254.Propane Increases slightly to 36.254. The propylene market appears to be strengthening in response to the demand for octane. 0. fl. Jf. A. Hall Manager of Marketing Industrial Chemicals /an .0001181650 To: W. H. Chamberlain FJE13/85/084 From: Date Fred J. Endelman April 4, 1985 Nko Subjact; Progress Report Meek Ending April 4, 1985 KEROSENE On Monday Conoco advised that kerosene deliveries in March were greater than 7000 BPDt but that they had decided not to request a premium for the surplus because, among other reasons, they might underdeliver in April due to a change In crude slate. I replied that the issue was not what premium Vista might pay for the surplus, but what discount it might require to compensate us for the unrequested increase In inventory carrying costs. After listening to Conoco choke on that for a couple of seconds, I admitted It was an April Fool's joke, and hoped they got the hint. Petrobras has agreed to meet with Ernie Segundo and me next Friday in Rio to discuss their decision not to proceed with contract negotiations. Pursuant to discussions at the NPRA meeting, both Louisiana Land & Exploration and Texas City Refining have expressed interest In a contract with us for kerosene with a TNP of around 20%. I have replied our primary contractual goal is high TNP kerosene. 8oth companies have agreed to send monthly kerosene samples for the next few months so we can evaluate the quality of their product. NATURAL GAS Louisiana State Gas has made a very positive response to our request for price relief on the S3.34/MM Btu contract price effective June 1, 1985. They have proposed S3.19/MM Btu for one year in return for a one year postponement of the $3.34 price plus a first right of refusal on excess gas purchases. This would save Vista $274,000 over the next year. Me will evaluate this proposal further and discuss it with the Business Area. Gulf South has offered $2.95/MM Btu for excess gas purchases in April, and LSG has met their price. We will split April excess volumes 50/50 between the two. Told Conoco LGS's Ray Cook that I view his proposal for settling the dispute on excess RFG as double dipping since Vista has already paid Conoco Refining contract price for more than 50% of the RFG volume that he wants Vista to match with contract gas purchases from LGS. W. H. Chamberlain FJE13/85/084 Page 2 of 2 5 i :* His position is that what we paid Conoco Refining for excess gas Is irrelevant to the dispute because our contract is with LGS. I told him I had passed this issue on to Dick Andersen, and he replied he would consult with his boss Bill Easter. ( if I I Met with Tennessee Gas Pipeline for the second time to discuss further the possibility of tieing into their new pipeline lateral in the Aberdeen area. Given the uniqueness of our potential supply situation, Tennessee still is trying to define their preferred position. It's complicated because it Impacts on several key issues which cross departmental lines, e.g. take or pay obligations, capital investment obligations, transportation rates and policy, etc. They agreed to get back to us within ten days. i I! j E '= '-M We will meet with Aberdeen plant personnel next week to discuss this and other supply options received to date. 4 j* j `m * jr Fred J. Endelman FJE/lb cc: J. A. DeBernardi G. W. Duchmann B. R. B. Meyer R. J. Andersen P. Quinlan P. T. Hitchcock E. L. Kieschnick Files: 1.12.1 1.11.5 D. A. Kuhn H. W. Hilgers W. J. B. Vogel P. L. Jernigan P. Carrico D. Tarantino J. Friend L. R. Bauer R. T. Ferrell D. U. Friesner M. J. Kerlegon R. R. Smith H. R. Flammer 0001181651 I r To: W. H. Chamberlain MRS/1 b/4 From: Dot*: M. R. Sweet April 4, 1985 Subject: Progress Report Week Ending April 4, 1985 ~1 ALUMINA Vista approached Alutnax for a potential alumina to aluminum toll. The current alumina market Is very soft because of the reduced aluminum production In this country. ALUMINUM CHLORIDE ATO Chem was In the U.S. reviewing the aluminum chloride market. ALUMINUM POWDER Alcoa should have Its plant's scales operational and put Into service within the next 30 days. This could lower the transit time to LCCP by the one or two days previously taken to obtain railroad weight tickets. ETHYLENE The ARCO contract has been signed and forwarded to ARCO for counter signature. PLASTICIZER Tolling of plasticizer at Monsanto and Exxon has been through an initial review. Major concessions will be required of the tollers for this issue to proceed any further. PVC COMPOUNDING RCI has responded with a toll fee to convert PVC resin and plasticizer Into compound for Vista. Their offer Is the best to date. TOTM Badische has reduced the price of TOTM 1.5 cpp effective April 1, 1985 to reflect a weaker 2EH market. HC1 Olin Is concerned about Vista's low HC1 volume purchases. I requested some free HC1 to help pay for our project to move HC1 to the VCM plant. M. R. Sweet MRS/lb lo: W.H. Chamberlain From: Dot*: Sofapct: A.T. Trent April 4, 1985 WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING 4/4/85 CHEMICALS CHLORINE BALTIMORE Diamond Shamrock advised they would like to make us a proposal for additional tonnage at Baltimore beginning In 1986 since they are losing approximately 11 M tons at Lake Charles due to PPG going from 75% of our total requirements to 80%. 01 In Corporation advised that they are most Interested In supplying us approximately 15M ton per year of Cl? under contract beginning 1987. This Is when their CWNAOH joint venture in Niagara Falls with DuPont Is expected to come on stream. 01 In and DuPont will each have approxi mately 330 tons/day of Cl2 from the plant. DuPont will move their volume Internally (replacing purchased chlorine) while Olin will move their volume into the merchant market. The MN1-Ch1or project as it Is referred to by 01in/DuPont will cause PPGt Diamond and Dow to find another home for the Cl volumes they are currently supplying DuPont at various locations. EQUIPMENT/MRO SUPPLIES CAST HEATER TUBES - LCCP Bids from major producers/manufacturers of cast heater tubes have been received. After evaluations of the bids, a purchase order will be issued to cover our LCCP requirements. PAPER GOODS/JANITORIAL SUPPLIES - LCCC Formal RFQ*s have been Issued to cover Vista's requirements of paper goods and janitorial supplies at the Lake Charles Chemical Complex. Bids are due no later than 4/12/85, A.T. Trent. ATT/RJO/cls R.J. Onofrey ATT2/015 To W. H. Chamberlain RRS1/85/044 From: Dal: Subject R. R. Smith April 4V 1985 Progress Report Week Ending April 4, 1985 ETHANE Second quarter contract pricing has not been settled. We are short approximately 675M bbl for the second quarter for production and minimum inventory. We anticipate covering this shortfall in the next week through additional purchases and potentially tolling EP Mix. Current market price is 21.754/gal. Our average weighted price is expected to be 21.254/gal for the second quarter which is up from the first quarter weighted average of 20.344/gal. R. R. Smith RRS/lb VAB.0001181653 To: Dave Kuhn Interoffica Communication From: Data: subject: Public Relations 4/4/85 Progress report for the week ending 4/4/85 Media Contacts 1. Frank Sobrino* of Chemical Marketing Reporter requested an update on the market conditions for detergent alkylate* RAK provided Sobrino with current price and supply/demand information. 2. The Aberdeen Examiner (Aberdeen, Miss.) and the Commercial Dispatch (Columbus. Miss.) requested information on Vista Polymers for special features on the Tenn-Tom waterway opening. Working with S&T and plant personnel on providing requested information. Have also been working with John Friend on an ad for use in the Aberdeen Examiner special issue. 3* Provided Vista's comments on a surfactants feature John Dean of Chemark is writing for Chemicalweek. General 1. Currently working with Nelson Borys and Jan Vogel to prepare for a panel discussion at an upcoming A0CS meeting. WJBV will be the surfactant industry representative on the panel. 2. Status of work on marketing related materials is as follows: PVC Purge Dryblend Commercial Compound Processing Trends in Vinyl Window Production Both are being printed this week. Should be ready next week. Linear Dodecylbenzene Detergent Alkylate Held up pending review of some technical information by Ponca City. LM86L Specialty Alkylate LMR55L Specialty Alkylate Type being proofed; will proceed to mechanical layouts next week. i 4 > Public Relations Page 2 PVC resin sheets for Brussels office. Four of the sheets--S-68; S-71; S-65; and S-57--have been reviewed by Ed Kieschnick and approved by Hugo Herat for going directly to layout and design. Proofs should be ready next week, and we'll proceed with printing. Three of the sheets have been held up while Hugo requests additional information from the Brussels office. Surfactants capabilities brochure Rough redraft completed. Review by Nelson Borys should be completed next week, we'll redraft and get out for management review. PVC capabilities brochure Editing original detailed outline to incorporate consents by reviewers. 3. Completed two redrafts of Retirement Plan SPD for Employee Relations. 4. Filled request by M.R. Sweet and P.C. Gowan for Vista Chemical introduction slide show. Duplicated all slides for this presentation. 5. Dr. Drumwright has agreed to write a monthly column for ChemNews. Working with John Madderra on CDIP feature for ChemNews. We hope to have an on~going employee benefits/personnel policy column. 6. Working.with various marketing groups on presentations for National Marketing Meeting. 7. Prepared home phone list for Engineering Department, cc: AKH, JER, MAD, MSR 01181654 V To: J. R Ball From: Data: C. L. Sanderson April 4. 1985 Subject: Progress Report for Week Ending April 4, 1985 Cash Flow Improvement - As of April 3, the following orders were shipped, but not invoiced due to price discrepancies: As of # Orders SMI'd 1 Releases Affected Total SMI Days Current Week Last Week Last Month 4/3 3/27 3/6 24 20 26 30 78 27 192 46 127 SBS Long Distance Test - Reported SBS has returned AT&T access to the Oak Brook office and today a technician Is working on the three-way conference problem. Auto Purchase Recommendation - Comments on S&T's auto procurement procedures have been sent to SAT. P VAB.0001181655 1 From: Dot*: Subject: W. J. Ritter April 4, 1985 PROGRESS REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING 4/4/85 A. L. Weiss Reports: Attended the refiners* session of the NPRA. The EPA announced the final lead gasoline banking rules at the meeting. One positive side effect of the lead phasedown may be a reduction in Imported gasoline blend stocks. Imports have kept U.S. refinery operating rates low. Despite the lead phaseout an Ethyl representative commented to me that they could re-enter production of methyl chloride at their ethyl chloride plant in Pasadena should the silicones Industry require their continued presence. A Davison contact noted that Alcoa*s catalyst alumina continues to be contaminated with more sodium than even Davison has In their alumina. As a result, Alcoa's Vidalla plant output 1$ being directed just to the Claus catalyst market which Kaiser has historically dominated. According to Kaiser, Alcoa's Claus catalyst also performs poorly and Alcoa has been forced to sell Claus catalyst below variable cost. Alcoa's chemical alumina losses In January were estimated at $2.5 million. In desperation, Alcoa has hired away one of Kaiser's experts In alumina gel technology. Kaiser postulated that Alcoa may be 3-4 years away from being a serious supplier to the catalyst substrate market. Net a representative from Condea. Their European competitors Include British Aluminum, Rhone Poulenc and Aluswlsse. No capacities could be quantified for these companies. Degussa (not regarded as a competitor) has about 2000 tons of alumina capacity. Condea has heard, in the marketplace, that we will be inventorying some 1/3 of our 1985 production. Condea's recoomendation is that we store the excess - It worked for them. Meanwhile, Condea reported that the EEC countries finalized the European automotive catalyst standard the week prior to the refiners' meeting. There will be a tax Incentive for Incorporation of a catalytic converter on all cars with engines equal to or greater than 2 liters beginning In 1986. Tax Incentives for 1.4-2.0 liter engines go into effect In 1989 and for smaller than 1.4 liters In 1994. Condea put little significance on the British coal strike for maintaining a high price for heavy crude. Instead, the end of the U.S. recession coincided with the beginning of the British coal strike. In any event, now that the strike Is over, the heavy price is falling. Met a number of Flltrol people. Filtrol confirmed that Condea sells alumina to CCIC, In Japan, who export finished HDS catalyst to the U.S. West Coast - in competition to Flltrol. Condea's alumina price to Flltrol (also for HDS) is apparently 60 cpp. Kaiser speculated that Crosfleld (U.K. FCC catalyst producer) probably uses Condea alumina. Kaiser also thought Condea's price is 44 DM/Kg or around 58 cpp. D. A. Kuhn Page 2 April 4, 1984 Learned that Katallstlks' Dutch FCC catalyst plant is operating contrary to information reported earlier via Akzo. Met the president of Katallstlks, U.S. and encouraged the use of Vista alumina. The biggest development In the FCC catalyst Industry, as reported by both Davison and Flltrol, Is their incorporation of Mobil s' ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst as a means to Increase octane. Filtrol reported in a separate conversation that results are mixed, l.e. sometimes it works, sometimes not. Mobil maintains control of ZSM-5 manufacturing and supply it In either a slurry or flltercake form. These activities Increase the significance of our contacts with Mobil. Flltrol puts on FCC and HOS technology seminars for their refiner customers. I will receive an invite to the next session. Developed an interest, by Amoco, In Molex raffinate for drilling fluid. One contact reports that nearly everyone makes jet fuel. He thought commercial "A" jet fuel was about 6t/gal. above #2 oil. Military jet fuel might be a couple cents higher, but its handling is more cumbersome. Solvent applications were speculated as probably requiring additional cutting on our part. Met with Gary Messing, Sol Gel Consultant, in Ponca City. He noted that the technical literature claims that good ceramics can't be from sintering boehmite alumina. He has been quite successful in producing alpha alumina (required by the ceramic industry) by seeding a dispersion of CATAPAL alumina with alpha alumina. He does not feel titanium contamination presents any problems for us though he suggests we should report its presence on our technical brochures. We reviewed my list of companies involved with advanced ceramics. Gary provided a prioritization for contacting these companies. P. V. Atrl Reports: Publications Received 1) Metal Finishing Guidebook/Directory - Metals and Plastics Publication, 1985. 2) U.S.A. Oil Directory 1985 - Pennwell Books, 1985. 3) 1985 Refining & Gas Processing Worldwide Directory - Pennwell Books, 1985. 4) Directory of Chemical Producers, U.S.A. - SRI 1985. 5) Quarterly Petrochemical Business Analysis, Quarter 1 - 1985, Chem Systems, 1985. 6) Getting Your Yen's Worth - Moran, R. T., 1985. h D. A. Kuhn Page 3 April 4, 1984 r R. W. Taylor Reports: The rising dollar and strong U.S. demand for PVC swung the U.S. Into a PVC trade deficit In January. The table below shows that the deficit reached 5.8 MM lbs that month due to weak exports and strengthening Imports. U.S. Trade In PVC (MM lbs - Resin Equivalent) 1984 Total 1984 1984 1984 1985 October November December January Exports Imports Surplus 310.3 317.6 "(7.3) 32.1 17.7 TO 28.8 24.4 XT 39.4 22.8 1575 21.8 27.6 TO) The drop In exports In January was most pronounced In Latin America but was universal with the notable exception of New Zealand which Imported almost 4.5 MM lbs. The Import data causes concern, not just because of the volume but because substantial quantities of resin have been crossing the border at low prices. From November through January over 19 MM lbs have moved through North Dakota, presumably from Novacor, at about 15.6 cents per pound and In January 6.3 MM lbs entered the port district of Milwaukee at 15.1 cents per pound. This situation Is being Investigated. In January of the total 27.6 MM lbs imported into the United States, 10.6 MM lbs came through these routes at these prices. A contact in Canada is of the opinion that Novacor would do anything to coyer fixed costs because they cannot afford to shut the plant down. i W. J. Ritter /mb * VAB.0001181657 To; G. W. Inbody From: 0** j. g. Stoner April 4. 1965 Sufaied: General Engineering Report for Week Ending 4-4-85 \ /j( Y PROJECTS Aberdeen Conpound Line One Modernisation Project - We ere currently reviewing elternetlvee end eeeodeted coeta to shorten the turnaround achedule for completion of the odlflcatlona to line one. LAB - HF Leak Detection - Issued vessel and platform drawings for construction. Lake Charles Chemical Complex - Firewater System - Issued an estimate for the mandatory revisions at the VCM Plant. VCH Plant - Card Key Security System - Reviewed the Basis of Rids with the plant. Scheduled Issue date for the Baals of Bids is 4-8-85. Issued a preliminary catlsuita on the VCH Dock Loading Facility* the VCH Inclnerstor Burner Replacement* and the VCH Natural Gas Burner. MAINTENANCE Jess Sodowsky and Jerry Stone were In Aberdeen this weak to discuss Inspection requirements and perform Inspection services. Jack Stoner and Nall Rasmussen visited the LCCP to review the status of the work Items associated with the Ethylene Plant Reliability Task Force Report. * Lane Johnson modified the fonaat of the print out of the upcoming VCH Plant turnaround schedule to satisfy plant requests. He also assisted the plant with a review of the oil used In the VCH Plant refrigeration compressor. Lane also coordinated an Inspection of che reactor Jacket repair In Oklahoma City. Cindy Zlobro provided assistance this week on a water treatment system for the LCCP cooling water and the LAB Plant condensate systems. J. E. Stoner /Jnv PR/032 To; From: DoH; Subiict: G. W. Inbody a D. II. Sanders April 4* 1985 PROGRESS REPORT FOR VEER ENDING APRIL 4* 1985 1 j VISIT' p PVC Plants - The work to measure reactor emissions was completed last Friday at OKC and will be completed this Thursday In Aberdeen. Additional measurements will be made in Aberdeen after the semple boxes are modified and the data has been analyzed. John HcCuiley visited Hultl-Flttlnga of Ontario with Pat Haugen to discuss requirements for conversion to dry blend bulk handling. H. H. Paskalls (VCE) has indicated that we should be receiving BASF's re-draft proposal for the rigid calendering resin licensing agreesMnt any day. No major surprises are expected. FED Is evaluating che economics of shortening the Line l Modernisation Project schedule from 16 weeks to 12 weeks. LCCP - Evaluation of optlona for a Molex sieve test was resumed. A meeting Is scheduled on April 15. with R6D and the plant to define tle-lna to be mods during che coming turnaround. R. B. Herrlam met with KMCO and discussed a proposed trial'run for Novel catalyst. Indications are KMCO's tolling fee would be significantly lower than Dixie's. LCVCH -- The additional Consent Decree designs for separate natural gas burner* direct chlorination shutdown* and burner replacement were costpleted and are in estimating. COMPUTER -- The IBM Professional Fortran Compiler was tested with excellent results. This compiler Is the only one tested which will allow downloading of TSO programs to the microcomputer while retaining conversational Input. D. H. Sanders /la cct CRD. JHMc* JBC* DEM. PEL* EJH* PpF. ROM. RUC 029/PR VAB.0001181658 TO! J.R. Ball FROM! H.H. Berat DATE! April 4, 1985 Interoffice CommvntcvKon SUBJECTi VCE Progress Report - Week Ending 4/4/B5 I (I) INDU51RIAL CHEMICALS GREECE, EKO ('.'CM) IN A MEETING WITH EKO THE COMPANY INDICATED THAT THEY HAVE EXPENDED THEIR PVC CAPACITY AND THAT FUTURE SUPPLIES FORM LOCAL SOURCES MIGHT BE DOUBTFUL. THEY ARE. THEREFORE, INTERESTED IN STARTING TO RECEIVE VCM EX SPAIN AS OF JANUARY 1ST, UPON HHICH DATE THE DUTIES ON SPANISH MATERIAL HILL BE ABOLISHED. YUGOSLAVIA. IPO (EDO HE OFFERED 3,000 NT EDC OF BRAZILIAN ORIGIN TO IPO. FINAL ANSMER 18 EXPECTED TODAY. <2> SURFACTANT CHEMICALS GERMANY, BAYER (NORMAL PARAFFINS) BAYER HAS REQUESTED AN URGENT OFFER FOR 1.000 NT C14 CIS FOR APRIL/MAY ARRIVAL. (?) PLASTICS PVC GENERAL WEST EUROPEAN PRICES ARE HOLDING AT LAST HEEK'S LEVELS, ALTHOUGH MOST PRODUCERS ARE EXPECTING CONSIDERABLE INCREASES AFTER THE EASTER HOLIDAY. EXPORT DEMAND IS STILL GOOD AND PRICES HAVE ALREADY MOVED UP TO THE LEVEL OF US DOLLARS 450/480 FOB IN N.H. EUROPE. DEPENDING ON THE EVOLUTION OF THE US DOLLAR VS EMS CURRENCIES, PRICING IN US DOLLARS CAN FURTHER IMPROVE. SHIPPING REPORT BELGIUM SPAIN MONTH TO DATE MONTH BUDGET MONTH FORECAST t, i 2,000 1,000 3,500 750 2,000 VCE Progress Report April 4, 1985 Page 2 i GERMANY, BASF BASF'S ANTHERP PLANT HILL HAVE INSUFFICIENT PRODUCT AVAILABILITY DURING THE SECOND OUARTER. DISCUSSIONS HERE HELD TO MAXIMIZE VISTA LIFTINGS - AGREEMENT TO BE REACHEO BY THE BEGINNING OF NEXT WEEK. INDIA, VOLTAS HE ARE PREPARING NEH OFFERS FOR VARIOUS CUSTOMERS. AS NEH IMPORT REGULATIONS HILL BE KNOUN AS FROM APRIL IZTH. SAUDI ARABIA, CONSOL CHEMICALS (S-68> i-. NP BN wfe A# 4SA HE OFFERED 500 MT FOR SHIPMENT IN THE SECOND HALF OF APRIL. ANSWER IS EXPECTED AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT HEEK. AN (4) SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION PVC ANTHERP INDIA, ALCARI (S-6B) SHIPPED 2 r 000 MT ON APRIL 3RD ON MS 'HIMESHIMA MARU'. VoJune CKO Mo. Act. Europe PVC BE 5P 1,840 504 2,544 VCM * U.S.A. Paraffin Alfofs PVC VCM Alunlna 1,170 1,258 100 - - 2,528 Totals 4,872 Revenue Netback 2,285 March Cuim. 7,5J3 5.279 12,812 3,378 3,241 2,773 536 5,245 _ 100 11,895 28,085 11,526 March Budget 9,000 4,500 13,500 5,500 1,000 -- -- -- 1,000 20,000 9,920 H. H. Berat 1181659