Document zdXpKXa7xpvq39qzejbNbE7LR

r\crvjr\i wr wr\ ll ' RL- -*-------- FtB1419T4 for T. P. Norris r " ^ atiana*s0i W. C. Thurber J. E. Walsh KC-File^ ucc-caj-^1a KING CITY. CA. UNION CARBlDt CORPORA NF-File H. Fukuma - Tomoe P.0. Box 579 Niagara Falls, End Use: Polyester DlST Ri&o i i'-'in F.-H. Lcrrieon R. J. Krcrv-.K* J.!/, Ar.~e-:-.r1 A. A. A - . C. F. C - R. L. 'J?'-:-'-! .R14302 ' H. L. D. E. U:r:.y ft, D. J. Garcia G. L. Vessels M. K. West File f 1--1 PLAINTIFFS! ll EXHIBIT H II r~j I 1--I % UC-674 1 H^ % R. E. Byrne, Jr. e 2/8/74 0^ Fu 11 Name Address Mfrs. of Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd. Yamazaki Works 4-13-1, Higashi-Cho, Hitachi-Shi Ibaraki-Ken, Japan In+ervIewed Isao Uchigasaki - Senior Researcher (at Washington SPI meeting) OBJECTIVE Discuss RG-244 as arranged by telex with Tomoe Engineering. DISCUSSION Hitachi Kasei is one of Tomoe's best customers for RG-244 in Japan. is used as a thixotrope for polyester resin largely for sanitary ware, i.e., bathtubs, etc. They currently use about 3T of 244 per month. It Hr. Uchigasaki wanted information on the asbestos regulatory climate in the U.S. and on the future availability of RG-244. We discussed the various sections of the current OSHA and EPA regulations. We also covered our views on the minimal hazards of working with asbestos under controlled dust conditions, the various types of asbestos, etc. I believe he was reassured that asbestos can be used safely, particularly in thixotrope applications where the usage is small. I explained to Mr. Uchigasaki that we were more than doubling our RG-244 facility at King City and that our target date for completion was October 1974. I further said that between now and then we will undoubtedly be tight, but that since Tomoe was one of our most valued customers, we would do all we could to supply their requirements. I suggested that Hitachi Chemical Company keep Tomoe informed of any increased needs which they could predict.' It would probably be wise if Tomoe solicited their orders several months in advance. Mr. Uchigasaki said that Hitachi expects their usage to about double in the next year. They are also looking at 244 for flow control in sheet and bulk molding compounds. If this were to come to fruition, they may require even more material. Report of Call Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd. Ibaraki-Ken, Japan -2- 2/8/74 Since Hitachi originally observed a water sensitivity problem with RG-244 in their polyester, I asked if they were finding A-174 silane useful in preventing it. Uchigasaki-san said they had found a better way which is "pH control." In answer to my question as to how they did that, he replied, "Know how." He was reluctant to discuss the matter in the presence of the interpreter we had, but he did say that the next time I was in Japan he would show me how they do it. It would be worth the trip just to find that out. According to Uchigasaki, RG-244 now represents about 15-20% of mineral thixotropes sold in Japan. He further opined that we could have it all with concerted sales effort, with considerable backup by UCC personnel. In answer to the obvious question, he said Tomoe was doing an excellent job, but that UCC does have great prestige in Japan and could be more helpful. (If my arithmetic is correct, this means a potential of ca 1000 tons per year in Japan.) We briefly discussed RG-600 for reinforcing thermoplastics and I promised more information through Tomoe later in the year. Typed 2/12/74 cjb